Luke 21:30
When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
Palestinian agriculture operated on predictable seasonal cycles. Spring budding preceded summer harvest by mere weeks. Farmers who missed the signs faced economic loss—harvest preparations required advance planning. Jesus applies this practical wisdom to eschatology. When disciples saw Jerusalem surrounded by armies (v. 20), they should recognize imminent destruction and flee. When future generations see cosmic signs (vv. 25-26), they should recognize Christ's imminent return. Early church expected Christ's return within their lifetime based on this teaching, though Peter later explained that God's timing differs from human expectations (2 Peter 3:8-9). The principle remains: observable fulfillment of prophecy should prompt expectation of consummation.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the intuitive nature of seasonal discernment teach about believers' responsibility to recognize prophetic fulfillment without requiring expert interpretation?
- How should the transition from budding to summer's arrival (measured in weeks, not centuries) inform understanding of prophetic imminence?
- What observable 'buds' in contemporary history might signal the approaching 'summer' of Christ's return?
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Analysis & Commentary
When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. Jesus elaborates the parable with agricultural detail—hotan probalosin ēdē (ὅταν προβάλωσιν ἤδη, "when they already put forth shoots/buds"). The verb proballō (προβάλλω) means to sprout, bud, push forward—the first visible sign of life after winter dormancy. The adverb ēdē (ἤδη, "already, now") emphasizes immediacy—the budding has begun, the process is underway.
The response is instinctive: blepontes aph' heautōn ginōskete (βλέποντες ἀφ' ἑαυτῶν γινώσκετε, "seeing, you know from yourselves"). The phrase aph' heautōn (ἀφ' ἑαυτῶν, "from yourselves") indicates intuitive knowledge—no expert is needed to interpret budding trees. The present participle blepontes (βλέποντες, "seeing") suggests simple observation; the verb ginōskete (γινώσκετε, "you know") indicates certain knowledge. The conclusion is obvious: hoti ēdē engys to theros estin (ὅτι ἤδη ἐγγὺς τὸ θέρος ἐστίν, "that summer is now near").
The logic is straightforward: observable signs → certain knowledge → appropriate response. Just as budding trees require no complex interpretation, prophetic fulfillments should prompt obvious conclusions. The phrase "summer is now nigh" (engys, ἐγγύς, "near") indicates temporal proximity—not distant future but imminent arrival. This creates urgency—when you see the signs, recognize what follows immediately.