21:29 Then 3 he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the other trees. 4 21:30 When they sprout leaves, you see 5 for yourselves and know that summer is now near. 21:31 So also you, when you see these things happening, know 6 that the kingdom of God 7 is near.
1 sn These things are all the events of vv. 8-27. Disciples represent the righteous here. The events surrounding the fall of the nation are a down payment on a fuller judgment to come on all humanity. The presence of one guarantees the other.
2 sn With Jesus’ return comes the manifestation of judgment and final salvation (redemption).
3 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
4 tn Grk “all the trees.”
5 tn Grk “seeing for yourselves, you know.” The participle βλέποντες (bleponte") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
7 tn The verb γινώσκετε (ginwskete, “know”) can be parsed as either present indicative or present imperative. In this context the imperative fits better, since the movement is from analogy (trees and seasons) to the future (the signs of the coming of the kingdom) and since the emphasis is on preparation for this event.
8 sn The kingdom of God refers here to the kingdom in all its power. See Luke 17:20-37.