Devine Scripture

Mark 13:28

What does Mark 13:28 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 13:28 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 13:28 means

Jesus then used a parable of the fig tree to illustrate how His disciples should discern the signs of His coming. He explained that when a fig tree's branches become tender and sprout leaves, it is a clear indicator that "summer is nigh." This natural observation provides a simple, unmistakable analogy. Just as specific biological changes reliably announce the change of seasons, so too would the prophetic events He described reliably announce the nearness of His return.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Now from the fig tree learn her parable: when her branch is now become tender, and putteth forth its leaves, ye know that the summer is nigh;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Now from the fig tree learn her parable: when her branch is now become tender, and putteth forth its leaves, ye know that the summer is nigh;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Take an example from the fig-tree: when its branches become soft and put out their leaves, you see that the summer is near;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And from the fig-tree learn ye the simile: when the branch may already become tender, and may put forth the leaves, ye know that nigh is the summer;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Now of the fig tree learn ye a parable. When the branch thereof is now tender and the leaves are come forth, you know that summer is very near.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But learn the parable from the fig-tree: when its branch already becomes tender and puts forth the leaves, ye know that the summer is near.

Context

This verse introduces a parabolic illustration to help the disciples understand the timing of the signs Jesus has just described. Following the climactic description of His return and the gathering of the elect (vv. 26-27), this parable of the fig tree provides a practical, everyday example for discerning the imminence of these events. It sets up the direct application of this principle to His coming in the following verse, emphasizing the clear readability of the prophetic signs.

v.27And then shall he send forth the angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

v.28This passage

v.29even so ye also, when ye see these things coming to pass, know ye that he is nigh, even at the doors.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 21:29

    And he spake to them a parable: Behold the fig tree, and all the trees:

  • Matthew 24:32

    Now from the fig tree learn her parable: when her branch is now become tender, and putteth forth its leaves, ye know that the summer is nigh;

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