Mark 13:28 Now learn a parable of the fig tree;

Spoken to: 

group

On Mount of Olives, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Jesus when the temple will fall.

KJV: 

Mark 13:28 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:

NIV : 

Mark 13:28  Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.

3RD (NLT, if not otherwise identified): 

Mark 13:28 Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near.

LISTENERS HEARD: 

From the fig tree, however, learn this analogy, by the time whenever those branches of it become tender and it leafs out those leaves, you know that it is nearly the harvest time.

MY TAKE: 

We can tell when the times are a-changing by what's growing.

GREEK (Each Word Explained Bottom of Page): 

GREEK ORDER: 

Ἀπὸ   δὲ           τῆς συκῆς     μάθετε τὴν παραβολήν: ὅταν        ἤδη                     κλάδος     αὐτῆς ἁπαλὸς γένηται
From however the fig tree, , learn    this analogy,      whenever by the time those branches of it      tender  become

καὶ  ἐκφύῃ          τὰ      φύλλα, γινώσκετε ὅτι ἐγγὺς   τὸ  θέρος           ἐστίν:
and it grows out those leaves, you know  that nearly the harvest time.it is

LOST IN TRANSLATION: 

The "now" that starts this verse isn't in the Greek. It was inserted in the KJV and copied into modern Bibles. this verse started with a "But" or "However" which makes it sound like an answer to an unrecorded question from someone.

There is a colorful play on words here where Jesus says literally that the tree "leafs out those leaves." Both the verb and the noun are from the same root, meaning "leaf." The prefix on the verb means "out of" or "from." This verb is translated as "putteth forth," "'come out," and "begin to sprout," but the word has no relationship to the Greek word for "put," "come," or "begin." 

As we often see, the Greek word that means "become" is not translated that way. It is almost always used in verses like this that mark a change, but the KJV usually translates it as "is." The NLT version ignores it completely and insert the word "bud." The NIV comes the closes with "get."

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

10
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "now" means "but."
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "a" means "the."
  • UW --Untranslated Word -- "Parables" means "comparison." "Parables" is an untranslated Greek word adopted into English.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "of" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word that should usually be translated as "when."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The article "the" before "branch" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "is" means "become." In many sense, the two words are opposites.
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "yet" means "leaves."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The article "the" before "branch"" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The article "the" is not shown in the English translation.

# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

8
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "now" means "but."
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "lesson" means "analogy."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The article "the" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "his" means "the."
  • WF - Wrong Form -  The "leaves" is not a subject but an object in the sentence.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "whenever" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "comes out" means "leaf out."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The article "the" is not shown in the English translation.

# 3RD TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

9
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "now" means "but."
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "a" means "the."
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "lesson" means "analogy."
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word that should usually be translated as "when."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "already" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The article "the" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "bud" means "become."
  • WF - Wrong Form -  The "leaves" is not a subject but an object in the sentence.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The article "the" is not shown in the English translation.

EACH WORD of KJV : 

 Now -- (WW)  The Greek word translated as "now" is almost always translated as "but" because it joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better. When used in writing, it creates complex sentences, but when spoken, it makes a good pausing point so that an important or humorous word can follow.

learn -- "Learn" is a word that means "to learn especially by experience or study." This is consistent with the different verb used below to translate as "you see".

a -- (WW)The word translated as "a" is the Greek definite article, "the" which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.  There is no indefinite article "a" in Greek, but when a word doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.

parable -- (UW) "Parable" is Greek for "analogy," "comparison," and "illustration." It is the Greek source of our word "parable." It doesn't mean simply "educational story" as it has come to mean in English, That was a different Greek word often translated as "fable" and in Aesop's Fables.

of --- (CW) The word translated as "from" means "from" in both locations and when referring to a source or a cause. It also means the instrument "by" which a thing is done and "away from." It is not the word form  usually translated as "of."

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more. 

fig tree; -- The word for "fig tree" means "fig tree." In ancient times, figs were a symbol for abundance.

When --- (CW) The Greek word translated as "when" introduces a phrase that explains a certain condition so "whenever" or "since." This is not the more common word for "when." Here, the condition is less certain to happen.

her -- The word translated as "her" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English.   This pronoun follows the noun so "of his."

missing "the/this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more. 

branch -- The word for "branch" means a new shoot of a tree as well as any type of branches, such as branches of learning. Notice, it is not plural but singular, so its seems to refer to a shoot of a tree, a new tree, rather than its branches. Fig trees are started from cuttings, that is, a spout is cut from a tree and planted. This is why this particular tree is used as an example here.

is -- (WW) The word translated as "is" means "to become," that is, to enter into a new state. In Greek, especially as used by Jesus, it is the opposite of "being," which is existence in the current state. This word indicates a transformation. For events, it mean "happen."

yet -- (WW) "Yet" is a Greek adverb meaning "already," "by this time", "forthwith", "after", "immediately," and "now." It means proximity in time, but also place.

tender, -- The word translated as "tender" also means "soft to the touch", and "delicate." This section of verses generally contrasts the hard, cold, and dark with the soft, warm, and light.

and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is best translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as".

putteth forth -- The verb translated as "putteth forth" means literally "to leave from"  and to generate," produce", "bear", "grow," and "engender." Jesus only uses this word twice, in different versions of this parable. This is a

missing "the/this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more. 

leaves, -- The word for "leaves" means "leaf", "foliage", "flower", "petals," and generally, "plant." This is from the same root word as "puttth out."

ye -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the following verb.

know -- The Greek verb translated as "know" means "to learn to know", "to know by reflection or observation," and "to perceive." It is not the ordinary form of knowing, but specifically gaining understanding by learning.

that -- "That" is translated from a Greek word that means "that" "because," and "since."

missing "the/this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more. 

summer -- The word for "summer" primarily means "harvest" in Greek. We might think that the new leaves on the fig tree means "spring", but since the reference is to the propagation of a fig tree, it would start growing at harvest time. A little about the propagation of figs: typically, cutting are taken before the winter and growing out of the ground through the winter (to protect from cold) and planted in the spring. Figs are a technically a reed bush, not a tree, growing fruit only from new growth from the previous year.

is -- There is no verb "is" here in the Greek. However, when noun and pronouns appear in the form of a subject without a verb, the verb "to be" is assumed.

nigh: -- The adverb translated as "nigh" means near in time or distance.

is -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. -- When the verb "to be" appears early in the clause before the subject, the sense is more like "it is" or, in the plural, "there are." 

near -- "Near" means "near", "nigh", "at hand," nearly", "coming near," and "akin."

EACH WORD of NIV : 

 Now -- (WW)  The Greek word translated as "now" is almost always translated as "but" because it joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better. When used in writing, it creates complex sentences, but when spoken, it makes a good pausing point so that an important or humorous word can follow.

learn -- "Learn" is a word that means "to learn especially by experience or study." This is consistent with the different verb used below to translate as "you see".

this -- The word translated as "this" is the Greek definite article, "the" which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more. 

lesson -- (WW) "Lesson" is Greek for "analogy," "comparison," and "illustration." It is the Greek source of our word "parable." It doesn't mean simply "educational story" as it has come to mean in English, That was a different Greek word often translated as "fable" and in Aesop's Fables.

from --  The word translated as "from" means "from" and "out of" in both location and when referring to a source. This is not a description of the parable since it doesn't follow that word. This preposition clause begins the sentence.

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more. 

fig tree; -- The word for "fig tree" means "fig tree." In ancient times, figs were a symbol for abundance. 

As soon as "As" is a Greek adverb meaning "already," "by this time", "forthwith", "after", "immediately," and "now." It means proximity in time, but also place.

missing "whenever"  -- (MW) The untranslated word  "whenever" introduces a phrase that explains a certain condition so "whenever" or "since." This is not the more common word for "when." Here, the condition is less certain to happen.

its -- The word translated as "its" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English.   This pronoun follows the noun so "of his."

missing "the/this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more. 

twigs -- The word for "twigs" means a new shoot of a tree as well as any type of branches, such as branches of learning. Notice, it is not plural but singular, so its seems to refer to a shoot of a tree, a new tree, rather than its branches. Fig trees are started from cuttings, that is, a spout is cut from a tree and planted. This is why this particular tree is used as an example here.

get --  The word translated as "gets" means "to become," that is, to enter into a new state. In Greek, especially as used by Jesus, it is the opposite of "being," which is existence in the current state. This word indicates a transformation.

tender, -- The word translated as "tender" also means "soft to the touch", and "delicate." This section of verses generally contrasts the hard, cold, and dark with the soft, warm, and light.

and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is best translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as".

its -- (WW) This word is not the possessive pronoun, but the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more. 

leaves, -- (WF) The word for "leaves" means "leaf", "foliage", "flower", "petals," and generally, "plant." This is from the same root word as "putteth out." This is not the subject of the verb but the object.

come out, -- (WW) The verb translated as "putteth forth" means literally "to leave from"  and to generate," produce", "bear", "grow," and "engender." Jesus only uses this word twice, in different versions of this parable.

you -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the following verb.

know -- The Greek verb translated as "know" means "to learn to know", "to know by reflection or observation," and "to perceive." It is not the ordinary form of knowing, but specifically gaining understanding by learning.

that -- "That" is translated from a Greek word that means "that" "because," and "since."

missing "the/this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more. 

summer -- The word for "summer" primarily means "harvest" in Greek. We might think that the new leaves on the fig tree means "spring", but since the reference is to the propagation of a fig tree, it would start growing at harvest time. A little about the propagation of figs: typically, cutting are taken before the winter and growing out of the ground through the winter (to protect from cold) and planted in the spring. Figs are a technically a reed bush, not a tree, growing fruit only from new growth from the previous year.

is -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. -- When the verb "to be" appears early in the clause before the subject, the sense is more like "it is" or, in the plural, "there are." 

near -- "Near" means "near", "nigh", "at hand," nearly", "coming near," and "akin."

EACH WORD 3RD (NLT or as noted): 

 Now -- (WW)  The Greek word translated as "now" is almost always translated as "but" because it joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better. When used in writing, it creates complex sentences, but when spoken, it makes a good pausing point so that an important or humorous word can follow.

learn -- "Learn" is a word that means "to learn especially by experience or study." This is consistent with the different verb used below to translate as "you see".

a -- (WW) The word translated as "a" is the Greek definite article, "the" which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.  There is no indefinite article "a" in Greek, but when a word doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.

lesson -- (WW) "Lesson" is Greek for "analogy," "comparison," and "illustration." It is the Greek source of our word "parable." It doesn't mean simply "educational story" as it has come to mean in English, That was a different Greek word often translated as "fable" and in Aesop's Fables.

from --  The word translated as "from" means "from" and "out of" in both location and when referring to a source. This is not a description of the parable since it doesn't follow that word. This preposition clause begins the sentence.

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more. 

fig tree; -- The word for "fig tree" means "fig tree." In ancient times, figs were a symbol for abundance. 

When (CW) The Greek word translated as "when" introduces a phrase that explains a certain condition so "whenever" or "since." This is not the more common word for "when." Here, the condition is less certain to happen.

missing "already"-- (MW) The untranslated word means "already," "by this time", "forthwith", "after", "immediately," and "now." It means proximity in time, but also place.

its -- The word translated as "its" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English.   This pronoun follows the noun so "of his."

missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more. 

branches -- The word for "twigs" means a new shoot of a tree as well as any type of branches, such as branches of learning. Notice, it is not plural but singular, so its seems to refer to a shoot of a tree, a new tree, rather than its branches. Fig trees are started from cuttings, that is, a spout is cut from a tree and planted. This is why this particular tree is used as an example here.

bud --  (WW) The word translated as "bud" means "to become," that is, to enter into a new state. In Greek, especially as used by Jesus, it is the opposite of "being," which is existence in the current state. This word indicates a transformation.

missing "tender"-- (MW) The untranslated word "tender" also means "soft to the touch", and "delicate." This section of verses generally contrasts the hard, cold, and dark with the soft, warm, and light.

and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is best translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as".

its -- (WW) This word is not the possessive pronoun, but the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more. 

leaves, -- (WF) The word for "leaves" means "leaf", "foliage", "flower", "petals," and generally, "plant." This is from the same root word as "putteth out." This is not the subject of the verb but the object.

begin to spout, -- The verb translated as "begin to sprout" means literally "to leave from"  and to generate," produce", "bear", "grow," and "engender." Jesus only uses this word twice, in different versions of this parable.

you -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the following verb.

know -- The Greek verb translated as "know" means "to learn to know", "to know by reflection or observation," and "to perceive." It is not the ordinary form of knowing, but specifically gaining understanding by learning.

that -- "That" is translated from a Greek word that means "that" "because," and "since."

missing "the/this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more. 

summer -- The word for "summer" primarily means "harvest" in Greek. We might think that the new leaves on the fig tree means "spring", but since the reference is to the propagation of a fig tree, it would start growing at harvest time. A little about the propagation of figs: typically, cutting are taken before the winter and growing out of the ground through the winter (to protect from cold) and planted in the spring. Figs are a technically a reed bush, not a tree, growing fruit only from new growth from the previous year.

is -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. -- When the verb "to be" appears early in the clause before the subject, the sense is more like "it is" or, in the plural, "there are." 

near -- "Near" means "near", "nigh", "at hand," nearly", "coming near," and "akin."

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV : 

Ἀπὸ [190 verses](prep) "Of" is from apo, a preposition of separation which means "from" or "away from" from when referring to place or motion, "from" or "after" when referring to time, "from" as an origin or cause.

δὲ [446 verses](conj) "But" is from de which means "but" and "on the other hand." It is the particle that joins sentences in an adversarial way but can also be a weak connective ("and") and explanation of cause ("so").

τῆς [821 verses] (article sg fem gen) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more. 

συκῆς [6 verses] (noun sg fem gen) "Fig tree" is from syke, which means "fig tree."

μάθετε [5 verses](verb 2nd pl aor imperat act) "Learn" is manthano, which means "to learn" especially by study or practice, "acquire a habit of", "perceive", "understand," and "notice."

τὴν [821 verses](article sg fem acc) "A" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."

παραβολήν: [12 verses](noun sg fem acc) "Parable" is from parabole, which means "comparison", "illustration," and "analogy." It is most often translated in the NT as "parable" but occasionally as "comparison." The Greek word for educational stories is "παραμύθια" (paramythia), which primarily means to "encourage," was used to describe instructive stories, such a Aesop's Fables.

ὅταν [70 verses](adv) "When" is from hotan, which means "whenever (as a condition)," and "since (as a cause)."

ἤδη [13 verses](adv) "Yet" is from ede, which means "already", "by this time", "forthwith", "after", "immediately," and "now." It means proximity in time, but also place.

[821 verses](article sg masc nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more. 

κλάδος [5 verses](noun sg masc nom) "Branches" is from klados , which means "branches", "twig", "shoot," and "branch" of a blood vessel.

αὐτῆς [29 verses](pro/adj sg fem gen) "His" is autes, which means is the singular adjective used as the genitive pronoun, which is used as a possessive form or the object of prepositions and sometimes verbs

ἁπαλὸς [2 verses] (adj sg masc nom) "Tender" is from hapalos, which means "soft to the touch", "tender," and "delicate."

γένηται [117 verses](verb 3rd sg aor subj mid) "Is" is ginomai, which means "to become", "to come into being", "to happen", "to be produced," and "to be." It means changing into a new state of being. It is the complementary opposite of the verb "to be" (eimi)which indicates existence in the same state.

καὶ [1089 verses](prep/adv)"And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "but." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even", "also," and "just."

ἐκφύῃ, [2 verses] (verb 3rd sg aor subj act/passive) "Putteth forth" is ekphyo, which means "generate," produce", "bear", "grow," and "engender."

τὰ [821 verses](article pl neut nom/acc) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more. 

φύλλα [2 verses] (noun pl neut nom/acc) "Leaves" is from phyllon, which means "leaf", "foliage", "flower", "petals," and generally, "plant."

γινώσκετε [62 verses](verb 2nd pl pres ind act) "You know," is from ginosko which means "to learn to know", "to know by reflection or observation," and "to perceive."

ὅτι [332 verses](adv/conj) "That" is hoti, which introduces a statement of fact "with regard to the fact that," "seeing that," and acts as a causal adverb meaning "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."

ἐγγὺς [6 verses](adv) "Nigh" is eggys, which means "near," "nigh," "at hand," nearly," "coming near," and "akin."

τὸ [821 verses](article pl neut nom/acc) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more. 

θέρος: [3 verses] (noun sg neut nom/acc) "Summer" is from theros, which means "summer", "summerfruits", "harvest," and "crop."

ἐστίν [614 verses] ( verb 3rd sg pres ind act) "Is" is eimi, which means "to be", "to exist", "to be the case," of circumstance and events "to happen",  and "is possible." (The future form is esomai. The 3rd person present indicative is "esti.")

Wordplay: 

Jesus use a clause that means "to leaf out leaves," using two rare words from the same root.

Related Verses: 

Possible Symbolic Meaning: 

In ancient times, figs were a symbol for abundance. Here, the gathering of the chosen from the four corners of the earth indicates the coming of abundance, the summer of harvest. Christ compares it to a sign of the coming harvest.

There is a productive and positive aspect to Christ's eschatology that many people miss and, perhaps for historical reasons, gets filtered out in English translation. Yes, there is fire and pain, but Christ describes this suffering as "birth pains." Here, the changes he describes are not the only the end but the beginning. Religion focused on sin and punishment in a way that Christ never does. Yes, there are bad times, but Christ sees them as a prelude to better times. We must have winter for us to appreciate summer.

I am reminded of how in the Parable of the Weeds (Matt 13:24-30), Christ describes the weeds and wheat being gathered together. The weeds are bundled to be burned, but the Greek term used indicates being burned in an oven as in the making of bread. The wheat is needed for the bread, but so are the weeds to make the fire. They are both parts of the goodness of the final product. Religion sees only the threat of punishment, while Christ emphasizes the promise of fruition.

Front Page Date: 

Sep 28 2023