Charles Ellicott Commentary 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;" — Matthew 24:32 (ASV)

Now learn a parable of the fig tree—As in so many other instances (compare the notes on John 8:12; John 10:1), we may think of the words as illustrated by a living example.

Both time and place make this probable. It was on the Mount of Olives, where then, as now, fig trees were found as well as olives (Matthew 21:19). The season was that of early spring, when the flowers appear on the earth and the fig tree putteth forth her green figs (Song of Solomon 2:11–13).

And what our Lord teaches is that as surely as the fresh green foliage of the fig tree is a sign of summer, so shall the signs of which He speaks portend the coming of the Son of Man.