28 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: 29 So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors. 30 Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done. 31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. (Mark 13:28-31 KJV)
The Lesson of the Fig Tree
We have here the application of this prophetic sermon—now learn to look forward in the right way. “As for the destruction of Jerusalem, expect it to come very soon. Just as when the branch of the fig tree becomes tender and the leaves sprout, you know summer is near (Mark 13:28), so when you see these things happening—wars, false Christs and prophets, Roman displeasure, and persecution for my sake—recognize that their ruin is near, right at the door, and prepare yourselves.”
The disciples themselves, except John, were taken away before this judgment, but the next generation they trained would live to see it. By Christ’s instructions, they would be kept from sharing in the judgment. “This generation now rising up will not all pass away before all these things related to Jerusalem begin to happen. And as this destruction is near and visible, so it is certain. The decree is already issued—it is a determined consummation” (Daniel 9:27).
Christ didn’t say these things just to alarm them; they are declarations of God’s fixed purpose. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away” (Mark 13:31)—not one prediction will fail to be fulfilled.
“As for the end of the world, don’t ask when it will come. That day and hour no one knows—not men on earth, not angels in heaven. The time is fixed by God but hasn’t been revealed. The angels will be notified to attend that day, and when the time comes, it will be announced with a trumpet. But for now, both men and angels remain unaware, so they can focus on their present duties.”
It also says, “neither the Son.” But does the Son not know something? Some in the early church, called the Agnoetae, taught that Christ, as man, was ignorant of some things, and many orthodox fathers agreed, saying it was no more unreasonable than saying his human soul experienced grief and fear.
Some suggest Christ spoke this way to discourage further questions. One early writer replied that it’s best not to be overly precise about this. Archbishop Tillotson said that Christ, as God, could not be ignorant of anything, but the divine wisdom communicated itself to his human soul as God pleased. So, his human nature might not always know everything. That’s why he is said to have grown in wisdom (Luke 2:52)—something that could not be said if his human nature necessarily knew all things by virtue of its union with the divine.
Dr. Lightfoot explained it this way: Christ calls himself the Son as the Messiah, who was the Father’s servant (Isaiah 42:1), sent and authorized by Him. As such, he often submitted to the Father’s will and said he did nothing on his own (John 5:19), so in that sense he might be said to know nothing independently. The revelation Christ gave to his church was given to him by God (Revelation 1:1). So what was to be revealed through him was received not from the divine-human union, but through the Spirit’s revelation. Hence, the Father only, meaning God as the source of deity, is said to know it. This is not a personal distinction from the Son and the Holy Spirit, but refers to God as the fountain of divinity.
“As for both the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the world, your duty is to watch and pray.” The time is kept secret so that you will always stay alert (Mark 13:33). Be cautious of anything that would make you unprepared for your Master’s return. Watch for his coming, so it won’t catch you off guard, and pray for the grace needed to be ready, because you don’t know when the time will be. You must be ready every day for what could come any day.