Its budding was a sure sign of the approach of warmer weather. Compare the parable of the Barren Fig Tree (see on Luke 13:6-9) and the cursing of the fruitless fig tree (Mark 11:12-14, 20-26).
A parable.
See pp. 203, 204. This brief “parable” is based on an illustration from nature. It had particular meaning to the people of Palestine, where fig trees were common.