{"id":9542,"date":"2007-04-23T08:45:15","date_gmt":"2007-04-23T13:45:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/?p=9542"},"modified":"2019-09-13T09:03:59","modified_gmt":"2019-09-13T14:03:59","slug":"does-the-fig-tree-refer-to-israel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/does-the-fig-tree-refer-to-israel\/","title":{"rendered":"Does the fig tree refer to Israel?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t

Question:<\/h2>\n

Is it true that the fig tree Jesus refers to is Israel?\u00a0 Can you explain this?<\/p>\n\t

Answer:<\/h2>\n

You really did not give me much of a clue as to what you were referring to, but I did a quick search on the Internet in order to discover what is a common doctrine dealing with fig trees and Israel.\u00a0 The reason I had to look on the Internet is that I have never espoused any significant doctrinal issue dealing with fig trees and Israel, so this is all new to me.<\/p>\n

As I understand the doctrine, the question centers on a statement Jesus made in Matthew 24:32-35, “Now learn this lesson from the\u00a0fig tree<\/b>: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.<\/em>”\u00a0 The doctrine says that because Joel 1:7 and Hosea 9:10 both equate the fig tree to Israel, that must, therefore, imply that Jesus is also referring to Israel in this passage. From there, the doctrine that I saw tries to make several points about Israel’s role in the future, specifically as it relates to the end of the world.<\/p>\n

There are several problems with this, though.\u00a0 First, Joel 1:7 is only mildly shadowed in metaphors and even the most liberal reading I could give it still only refers to fig trees that are within Israel.\u00a0 That is a very tough way to look at a metaphor.\u00a0 If the fig trees are within Israel, how could they represent the whole of Israel?\u00a0 Second, in Hosea 9:10, Hosea compares the way Israel used to be to a fig tree.\u00a0 It says, “When I found Israel, it was like finding grapes in the desert; when I saw your fathers, it was like seeing the early fruit on the fig tree. But when they came to Baal Peor, they consecrated themselves to that shameful idol and became as vile as the thing they loved.<\/em>”\u00a0 It is certainly a stronger relationship than what is in Joel, but it is still a long way from saying that the fig tree is Israel.\u00a0 I would say that the fig tree in Hosea represented Israel when they were righteous and holy before God.\u00a0 What they had become by the time of the prophecy was something vile that no longer reminded God of the fig tree.<\/p>\n

I also always wonder when people try to create a doctrine by substituting one set of analogies with another one.\u00a0 Do they pick and choose their references so that they come out the way they want?\u00a0 To answer this question I decided to look up “fig tree” everywhere it is used in the Bible.\u00a0 Here is a compilation of how it is used in the Old Testament:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Judges 9:10-11.<\/td>\nUsed metaphorically to represent righteous people.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I Kings 4:25.<\/td>\nUsed allegorically of a time of peace.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
II Kings 18 31.<\/td>\nUsed allegorically of a time of peace.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Proverbs 27:18<\/td>\nUsed allegorically to represent anything that requires work or service.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Song of Solomon 2:13<\/td>\nUsed metaphorically to represented springtime or beauty.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Isaiah 34:4<\/td>\nUsed metaphorically to represent decay, death, and destruction.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Isaiah 36:16<\/td>\nUsed allegorically of a time of peace.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hosea 9:10<\/td>\nUsed metaphorically to represent righteous people or a time when Israel was righteous.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Joel 1:7,12<\/td>\nUsed either literally to mean a fig tree or metaphorically to denote ruin, judgment, or destruction.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Joel 2:22<\/td>\nUsed either literally to mean a fig tree or metaphorically to denote renewal or rebirth.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Habakkuk 3:17<\/td>\nUsed either literally to mean a fig tree or metaphorically to represent famine.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Haggai 2:19<\/td>\nUsed allegorically to represent famine.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zechariah 3:10<\/td>\nUsed allegorically of a time of peace.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

In general, I would say that the use of the fig tree in poetic works of the Old Testament focused on the fig tree being one of the survival plants of the Israelites.\u00a0 It makes a good analogy tool because its fruit is sweet and highly prized, it produces fruit early in the season (and also late because it produces twice a year).\u00a0 If left unharvested, its fruit rots quickly.\u00a0 I figure that is why it is at the center of both a sign of renewal and springtime because, after a long winter, its fruit is highly prized.\u00a0 It is also a figure of death because if left untended, its fruit is rotten and worthless.<\/p>\n

In Matthew 24, Jesus is pointing to a “springtime version” of the fig tree.\u00a0 He is saying “read the signs and it will come about as you read them”.\u00a0 The only reason to attempt to interject Israel into the discussion (for which there is no support in the passage) would be to try to get the passage to say or reveal something for which there is no mention.<\/p>\n

So, to answer the original question:\u00a0 No, the fig tree that Jesus refers to does not refer to Israel.<\/p>\n

Darrell Hamilton<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Question: Is it true that the fig tree Jesus refers to is Israel?\u00a0 Can you explain this? Answer: You really did not give me much of a clue as to what you were referring to, but I did a quick search on the Internet in order to discover what is a common doctrine dealing with…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[20],"tags":[606,557],"class_list":["post-9542","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-answer","tag-gospels","tag-israel"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":10275,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/does-the-sycamore-tree-still-have-fruit-today-as-it-did-in-biblical-times\/","url_meta":{"origin":9542,"position":0},"title":"Does the sycamore tree still have fruit today as it did in biblical times?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"June 7, 2007","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Does the sycamore tree still have fruit today as it did in biblical times? Answer: There are actually several plants know as sycamore in today's world. In the middle east region, where most of the Bible takes place, sycamore is a type of fig. Its formal name today is\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/06\/Old-Sycamore-Fig-Tree.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":39583,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/could-you-explain-jothams-parable-of-the-trees\/","url_meta":{"origin":9542,"position":1},"title":"Could you explain Jotham’s parable of the trees?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"July 2, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Would you please give your understanding of the\u00a0story of the trees in Judges 9:7-15? Thank you. Answer: \"Now when they told Jotham, he went and stood on top of Mount Gerizim, and lifted his voice and cried out. And he said to them: \"Listen to me, you men of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":86703,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/why-didnt-jesus-know-there-were-no-figs-on-the-tree\/","url_meta":{"origin":9542,"position":2},"title":"Why didn’t Jesus know there were no figs on the tree?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"April 19, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: When our Lord cursed the fig tree, did He know that there was no fruit on it, or was knowledge withheld temporarily? Answer: The account is found in Matthew 21:18-19 and Mark 11:12-14. Early in the morning, Jesus left Bethany for Jerusalem. Seeing a leafy fig tree beside the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":54883,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/what-did-jesus-mean-by-the-kingdom-being-near-in-luke-2131\/","url_meta":{"origin":9542,"position":3},"title":"What did Jesus mean by the kingdom being near in Luke 21:31?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"December 20, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Hello, I had a question regarding the kingdom of God. From my understanding, the kingdom of God is another term for the church. However, after reading the gospel accounts, I found a problem with Luke 21:31. \"So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":62191,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/death-of-a-fig-tree\/","url_meta":{"origin":9542,"position":4},"title":"Death of a Fig Tree","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"September 9, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Matthew 21:18-22 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I get uncomfortable reading this passage. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Here is a fig tree, that happens to lack figs when Jesus walks by. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a02.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Then Jesus kills it \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The disciples are caught up in amazement that by simply speaking, Jesus killed a fig tree. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0But why destroy a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/DenominationalLeadersViewOfTheBible.gif?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/DenominationalLeadersViewOfTheBible.gif?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/DenominationalLeadersViewOfTheBible.gif?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5184,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/why-was-the-serpent-cursed\/","url_meta":{"origin":9542,"position":5},"title":"Why was the serpent cursed?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"May 8, 2006","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: In Genesis 3:14 it states \"And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life\" Was\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9542","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9542"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9542\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9542"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9542"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9542"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}