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FIGS AND FIG LEAVES A question came in yesterday regarding the significance of fig trees, fig leaves and figs. What does it all mean? It appears that the fig tree itself is not so significant as the fig tree WITH LEAVES or the fig tree WITH FIGS. The issue is not as much the tree as it is what the tree is producing. Going by first mention, Adam and Eve covered their nakedness in fig leaves (Gen. 3: 7), so the type would be that fig LEAVES picture self righteousness. Jesus alludes to this in Matthew 21:19 when He came to a fig tree and "found nothing thereon, but leaves only," picturing Israel's self-righteousness. Then when giving the Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24, Jesus spoke of Israel in the last days and said, "Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled." (Mat. 24:32-34) Over the past century, Israel has become a nation and grown in the land, but she is still lost in her sins, not knowing Christ the Messiah. So, she's like a fig tree that has put forth leaves only, but no figs. We know that the Lord's return is near, because we see the "leaves," but they are leaves of self-righteousness, as were the leaves of Adam and Eve in the garden. Once Israel is saved (Rom. 11:25-27; Isa. 66:7-8), there will be actual good "fruit" on this national tree (as opposed to only leaves or bad fruit), which indicates usefulness, as figs have various dietary and medicinal benefits, in the Bible and in the modern world. I know that's pretty brief, but that's it in a nut shell: Fig leaves picture self-righteousness, and good figs picture spiritual fruitfulness that pleases God. If there's any deeper meaning, I do not have an answer.