Translation commentary on Mark 13:28

Exegesis:

Most of the words of this verse have already been dealt with: for sukē ‘fig tree’ cf. 11.13; parabolē ‘parable,’ here in the sense of ‘lesson’ (Revised Standard Version, Goodspeed, The Modern Speech New Testament), cf. 3.23; hotan ‘when,’ indicating a definite event, cf. 11.19, ēdē ‘already’ cf. 6.35; klados ‘branch’ cf. 4.32; phulla ‘leaves’ cf. 11.13.

mathete (only here in Mark; cf. the cognate noun mathētēs, 2.15) ‘you are to learn,’ ‘you must learn.’

hapalos (only here in Mark) ‘tender’: in the springtime the sap, rising through the limbs, makes tender the branch which has been stiff and dry through the winter, causing the leaves to sprout (cf. Lagrange). Montgomery‘s translation is vivid: ‘as soon … as her branches are full of sap and bursting into leaf….’

ekphuē (only here in Mark) ‘it puts forth,’ ‘it causes to grow’: as accented in the Nestle text, the verb is a present subjunctive active having as subject ho klados ‘the branch’ of the previous clause, and as object ta phulla ‘the leaves.’ Some prefer to accent it as a second aorist subjunctive passive with ta phulla ‘the leaves’ as subject – ‘the leaves sprout’ . Lagrange accepts the present active accentuation, but regards ta phulla as the subject: les feuilles ont poussé.

theros (only here in Mark) ‘summer.’

Translation:

Lesson is not easily translated in this concept except as an integral part of the verb phrase, e.g. ‘learn from what happens to the fig tree’ or ‘learn from what the fig tree does.’ The Revised Standard Version its seems to be especially awkward, even in English; and since it does not reflect any element in the Greek text, it need not be translated.

The big problem in this verse is the matter of the season, for in the tropical areas of the world the distinction between ‘summer’ and ‘winter’ as the growing and the dormant seasons simply does not exist. In such parts of the world (where most Bible translating and revising is being done) the two seasons are the ‘rainy season’ and the ‘dry season,’ which correspond roughly to the calendar ‘summer’ and ‘winter’ respectively in the northern hemisphere, but are reversed in the southern hemisphere. Moreover, there have been some “strange” borrowings of terms in certain languages. For example, in the Yucateco language of Yucatan, Mexico, the Spanish word verano (usually regarded as equivalent to English summer) has been used to identify the winter and spring months, that is to say, the dry season, which is actually quite hot, especially toward the end. It would certainly not make sense to say that when the fig tree puts forth its branches, the verano is near, for this would be in the fall of the year. Moreover, trees which lose their leaves each year, do so usually during the dry season and only put forth buds and new leaves after the beginning of the rainy season. Accordingly, even if one uses ‘rainy season’ for summer, the analogy is not quite right, for if one says that ‘as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that the summer is near,’ a Mayan Indian is likely to be perplexed, for this type of budding and coming out in leaf is proof that the rainy season has already come, not that it is merely near. Nevertheless, despite such lack of complete agreement in details, it is generally preferable to translate summer as the rainy season, since this is usually the period of budding and growth.

Summer is near must be recast in some instances as ‘soon it will be the rainy season,’ ‘summer will be soon,’ or ‘summer has almost come.’

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of Mark. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1961. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator's Notes on Mark 13:28

Section 13:28–31

Jesus used fig trees as an example

In this section, Jesus used an example to help his disciples understand what he was teaching them. In his example, he reminded them about what happens to fig trees. At the end of the cold season, fig trees begin to produce buds and leaves. When people see that happen, they know that summer is near. In the same way, when the disciples see the events in 13:14–27 happen, they will know that Jesus will soon return.

It is good to translate this section before you decide on a heading for it.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

A Lesson from a Fig Tree (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
The Parable of the Fig Tree (NET Bible)

There are parallel passages for this section in Matthew 24:32–35 and Luke 21:29–33. See also Matthew 5:18 and Luke 16:17.

Paragraph 13:28–31

At the beginning of this section, Jesus continued to speak to his disciples. In some languages it may be helpful to remind readers of this. For example:

Jesus continued to teach his disciples. He said…

13:28a

Now: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible here translates as Now introduces a new topic. In this context it is not a time word. Introduce this new topic in a way that is natural in your language.

learn this lesson from the fig tree: In some languages people do not speak of learning from inanimate things like fig trees. If this is true in your language, it may be necessary to express the meaning in a different way. For example:

consider/study
(plur) the fig tree and learn something from the way it grows

lesson: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as lesson is literally “parable” (as in the New American Standard Bible). This Greek word can mean “parable,” “proverb,” “saying,” “illustration,” “story,” or “metaphor.” The context determines which of these meanings is appropriate. Jesus’ words about the fig tree are more like an illustration or example.

the fig tree: In this context Jesus was speaking about all fig trees. He was not referring to any particular tree. Be sure to use an appropriate form in your language. For example:

learn(plur) something from the illustration about fig trees.

The fig tree (In the Bible, the fig tree often represents the nation of Israel. In 11:13–14, 20–23, the fig tree seems to be a picture of the temple, the central place of Jewish worship.) was a very common tree in Israel. Fig trees normally produced small, edible fruit called figs. The trees were completely bare in winter and then sprouted buds, leaves, and figs in the spring.

If speakers of your language are not familiar with the fig tree, here are some other ways to translate it:

tree with a fruit called ‘fig’
-or-
fruit tree

The expression fig tree also occurs in 11:13a. See how you translated it there.

13:28b

As soon as its branches become tender and sprout leaves: This part of the verse introduces what happens when a fig tree develops new leaves after the winter season.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

When its branches become green and tender and it starts putting out leaves (Good News Bible)
-or-
When its branches become green and soft and new leaves appear (New Century Version)

its branches: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as branches is also used in 4:32b. See how you translated it there.

become tender: In this context the Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as become tender describes what happens to a branch before summer begins. Sap begins to flow through the branch, and it becomes more flexible. It is then ready to bud and sprout leaves. Consider whether you have special terms to describe this in your language.

and sprout leaves: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sprout leaves also means “its leaves begin to come out/grow.”

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

and new leaves appear (New Century Version)
-or-
and start putting out leaves (Contemporary English Version)

You should express this in a way that is natural in your language.

13:28c

you know: The word you here is plural and means “people in general.” Jesus, who was speaking, also knew when summer was near. So in some languages it may be more natural to say “we know.”

Here is another way to express this:

everyone knows

that summer is near: In the area where Jesus lived, summer is the time when plants and crops grow. It is also the hottest time of the year.

In this context, the word summer indicates that the tree will soon start growing leaves and fruit. It is more important to find a natural expression in your language for the growing season than to say whether the weather is hot or cold.

Here is are some other ways to express this:

that the rainy season is near
-or-
that the growing season is approaching

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