The answer is: Summer

Mark 13:28

The fig tree parable is an intriguing one, reflecting some very human themes—hope, change, and anticipation of what’s to come. It's fascinating how this focus on the fig tree actually ties back into its profound agricultural and societal symbolism. In ancient Israel, the fig tree wasn’t just any tree. It was a significant part of everyday life, much like it is today sometimes represented in literature and art, signaling prosperity and peace. When the trees began to leaf out in the spring, it was a clear sign that summer was nigh!

Now, think about what this means politically and prophetically within the context of the times. Jesus’s contemporaries often interpreted signs—figs, clouds, weather patterns—as statements from the Divine concerning their society's fate. By using a fig tree metaphor, a symbol so intimately connected to the land and agricultural rhythms, He wrapped a social observation in natural imagery.

Additionally, in Judaism, figs were seen as symbols of divine promise and renewal. Reflect on Jeremiahs's use of figs as a standard for assessing the state of the people. Join the dots here; summer doesn’t just signify warmth—it signifies maturity, fullness, and the ripe gathering of what has been planted.

So, next time you eat a delicious fig or see one growing tree, remember: it carries a message of transformation not just in nature, but in relationships, renewal, and everyday realities, intertwining them with our expectations and our hopes!