Lexical Summary ekphuó: To sprout, to produce, to bring forth Original Word: ἐκφύω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance put forth. From ek and phuo; to sprout up -- put forth. see GREEK ek see GREEK phuo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ek and phuó Definition to sprout up NASB Translation puts forth (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1631: ἐκφύωἐκφύω; 2 aorist passive ἐξεφυην (Winers Grammar, 90 (86); Buttmann, 68 (60); Krüger, § 40, under the word φύω; (Veitch, ibid.)); (from Homer down); to generate or produce from; to cause to grow out: ὅταν ὁ κλάδος ... τά φύλλα ἐκφύῃ (subjunctive present), when the branch has become tender and puts forth leaves, R (not Rst) G T WH in Matthew 24:32 and Mark 13:28; (others, retaining the same accentuation, regard it as 2 aorist active subjunctive intransitive, with τά φύλλα as subject; but against the change of subject see Meyer or Weiss). But Fritzsche, Lachmann, Treg., others have with reason restored (after Erasmus) ἐκφύῃ (2 aorist passive subjunctive), which Griesbach had approved: when the leaves hare grown out — so that τά φύλλα is the subject. Topical Lexicon OverviewStrong’s Greek 1631 appears only twice in the New Testament and is tied to the budding of the fig tree in the Olivet Discourse. The verb depicts the visible emergence of new life, serving Jesus’ teaching on discernment and readiness. Although rare, its contextual weight is substantial because it anchors a central eschatological lesson. Occurrences in the New Testament In both verses the verb is rendered by the Berean Standard Bible as “sprout leaves.” The Parable of the Fig Tree When Jesus says, “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its branch becomes tender and sprout leaves, you know that summer is near” (Matthew 24:32), He draws on a familiar agricultural cycle. The first tender shoots announce an irreversible change in season. In like manner, a cluster of foretold events signals that His return is “near—right at the door” (Matthew 24:33). The verb under study highlights that the sign is unmistakable, natural, and progressive; once the leaves appear, summer cannot be far off. Themes of Imminence and Discernment 1. Certainty: The budding branch guarantees summer. Likewise, the fulfillment of Jesus’ prophetic words guarantees His coming. Old Testament Background Early fruiting of the fig tree marked season changes in Israel’s agrarian calendar (Song of Solomon 2:13). Prophets also used fig imagery to describe covenant faithfulness or judgment (Jeremiah 24:1-10; Hosea 9:10). Jesus builds upon this heritage, repurposing the fig tree as a positive indicator rather than a symbol of barrenness (contrast Matthew 21:18-20). Historical Understanding Early Christian writers, such as Hippolytus and Chrysostom, took the budding fig tree as evidence that prophetic chronology has observable milestones. While differing on the identity of specific “leaves” (some linked them to the revival of Israel, others to worldwide evangelism), they agreed that the verb’s portrayal of fresh growth confirms the reliability of Christ’s timetable. Ministry Implications • Teaching: Pastors can illustrate eschatology with tangible imagery, fostering confidence in Scripture’s coherence. Practical Application Disciples today are called to the same vigilance Jesus required of His first hearers. When moral, geopolitical, and natural “buds” appear in accordance with prophecy, the church should respond with holiness and mission rather than fear. The infrequency of 1631 in the New Testament paradoxically magnifies its voice: a single agricultural verb summons every generation to interpret the times and live in light of the approaching Kingdom. Summary Strong’s Greek 1631, though limited to two Gospel verses, furnishes a vivid snapshot of God’s unfolding purposes. The sprouting fig tree assures believers that divine promises advance with the certainty of the seasons. Recognizing these “leaves” cultivates readiness, faith, and steadfast hope until the Lord of the harvest returns. Forms and Transliterations εκφυη εκφύη ἐκφύῃ ekphue ekphuē ekphye ekphyē ekphýei ekphýēiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 24:32 V-PSA-3SGRK: τὰ φύλλα ἐκφύῃ γινώσκετε ὅτι NAS: tender and puts forth its leaves, KJV: and putteth forth leaves, INT: the leaves it puts forth you know that Mark 13:28 V-PSA-3S |
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