Matthew 24:32-35 .

³² “From the fig tree learn this lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near.

³³ So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates.

³⁴ Honestly, I am telling you, this generation will not pass away until all these things begin to take place.

³⁵ The sky and the land will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

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the fig tree generation

By mentioning the fig tree, Jesus was drawing the attention of his listeners back to the present. He had just cursed a fig tree, causing it to wither before their eyes. It was a symbolic judgment upon that generation because it (like the fig tree) was in full bloom, but had not produced the fruit of righteous living. So, when Jesus referred back to “these things” it did not have anything to do with the second coming. It referred to the same thing “these things” referred to in the disciples’ question in verse 3. It was the events surrounding the predicted fall of Jerusalem and the temple buildings.

Jesus’ prediction here is exact. Within this generation – that is, within the lifetimes of those standing there listening to him – Jerusalem will fall. His prediction was spot on. In AD 66 a Roman army ransacked and trapped Jerusalem. What followed was years of battle and starvation for the inhabitants of the city. It finally ended in AD 70, with the destruction of the city and the entire temple complex – exactly as Jesus had predicted.

LORD, help us to be a generation known for its faithfulness and fruitfulness. Keep us from the wickedness of pretense.