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

LUKE 21:29KJV
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Luke 21:29 (KJV)

What does Luke 21:29 mean?

Luke 21:29 shows Jesus telling a parable to his listeners, asking them to look at the fig tree and all the trees as an example. Jesus is about to use something familiar from everyday life—how trees show signs of change—to make a point about recognizing important events.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to his disciples during a larger conversation about future events and signs to watch for. By mentioning the fig tree and all the trees, Jesus is setting up a lesson about paying attention to obvious signs in nature as a way to understand what is happening in the world. This verse introduces a simple, relatable image that prepares the listeners for a deeper teaching about awareness and readiness.

The Greek behind Luke 21:29

  • παραβολή (parabolē): This word means "parable" or "story with a lesson." Jesus often used parables to help people understand spiritual truths through everyday examples.
  • ἴδετε (idete): Translated as "Behold" or "Look," this word is a direct call to pay attention. Jesus is inviting his listeners to notice something specific, not just hear his words.
  • πᾶσι (pasi): This word means "all." By saying "all the trees," Jesus widens the lesson beyond just the fig tree, showing that the principle he is about to teach is broad and not limited to one example.

Why Luke 21:29 matters

  • Luke 21:29 makes clear that Jesus wants his listeners to learn from ordinary, visible things in nature, not just from religious teachings or hidden mysteries.
  • By including "all the trees," Luke’s version emphasizes that the lesson is not just about one specific sign (like the fig tree), but about recognizing patterns and changes in general.
  • This verse sets up the next part of Jesus’ teaching, where he explains how people should be able to interpret the signs of the times just as easily as they can see when summer is near by looking at the trees.

Where else these words appear

“tree” Greek G4808 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 21:19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.
  • Mark 11:13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.
  • Luke 13:7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?

“trees” Greek G1186 · used in 19 verses

  • Matthew 3:10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
  • Matthew 21:8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.
  • Luke 13:19 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.

“parable” Greek G3850 · used in 48 verses

  • Matthew 13:3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
  • Matthew 24:32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
  • Luke 8:4 And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable: