What Does This Parable Mean?

[ayeess]

Luke 13:6-9 (New King James Version)

The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree


6 He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’ 8 But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. 9 And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that[a] you can cut it down.’”

 

[ittarter]

Since Luke is clearly an associate of Paul's (according to the book of Acts) scholars generally interpret this parable to pertain especially to the Jewish people. In other words, because "salvation came to the Jews" but they rejected it, God would reject his people (not absolutely, but in many ways) and open up salvation directly to the Gentiles -- something he had never done before.

 

[ebia]

Luke 13:6-9 (New King James Version)

The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree


6 He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’ 8 But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. 9 And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that[a] you can cut it down.’”

That if you find a church acting in a way short of Jesus' calling you should get a trailer load of cow manure, dig a trench around the building, and fill it with the manure.

 

[IronManMatt]

Luke 13:6-9 (New King James Version)

The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree


6 He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’ 8 But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. 9 And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that[a] you can cut it down.’”

A fruitful tree represents a God fearing person, one who has trusted in God and has been bearing fruits (ie following God, doing those things which God commanded us to do). The tree in this parable had been in the ground for three years without bearing fruit. A man can live on earth with having a Godly life. The dresser of the garden suggested to his master that he be allowed to give this tree more attention and one more year to start producing fruit. If it started bearing fruit then it could stay, if not then it would be cut down. There are a couple of lessons in this. 1) We should try to "fertlize" other people (ie edify them) to help them bear good fruits. 2) If someone never starts bearing fruit they will eventually be cut down ie if they never turn to God and obey Him then they will die (be separated from God)

God gives us many chances but those chances eventually run out. And you never know how many chances you have for anyone could die at any time.

 

[Codger]

Luke 13:6-9 (New King James Version)

The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree


6 He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’ 8 But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. 9 And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that[a] you can cut it down.’”

Jesus spoke to the issues of his day. He was speaking about apostate Israel. Even Jesus could not evangelize all of Israel during his ministry. And thus Israel was destroyed as a nation in 70AD because it produced no fruit. a very sobering thought and it is also becomming true again of America and many nations of the world.

Larry