Luke 13:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’"

NIV: If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’ "

NASB: and if it bears fruit next year, fine; but if not, cut it down.’?'

CSB: Perhaps it will produce fruit next year, but if not, you can cut it down.’"

NLT: If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down.’'

KJV: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

NKJV: And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’ ”

This finishes Jesus' series of lessons on the same theme: timely reconciliation prevents unwanted judgment. He started by warning a crowd to make restitution to people they have wronged before the magistrate gets involved (Luke 12:57–59). He then used current events to explain their lives could end at a moment's notice; they need to repent to God while they can (Luke 13:1–5). Now, He teaches that God's patience with Israel has an expiration date. If the nation does not turn to Him, He will cut them down like a fig tree that no longer provides fruit (Luke 13:6–8).

John the Baptist gave the same warning before Jesus started His public ministry. Pharisees and Sadducees came to the Jordan River to watch him baptize people who agreed with his message that they needed to repent of their sins against God. John warned them that being a Jew would not save them from God's righteous judgment. God was well able to create children for Himself from the rocks in the ground (Luke 3:8). As for Israel, he said, "Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire" (Luke 3:9).

Despite the vinedresser—Jesus—asking the owner—God—for just a little more time, John's warning turned true. The nation of Israel did not "bear fruits in keeping with repentance" (Luke 3:8). They did not repent of their corporate sins and follow God and His Son. In AD 70, God used the axe of the Roman army to cut down Jerusalem and scatter the people for nearly two thousand years.

There is hope, however. During the horrors of the tribulation, Israel will return to God and welcome His Son's return. Jesus, the Branch of Jesse that rises from the stump of Israel (Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5), will be their King.

Luke 13:6–9 completes Jesus' lessons about reconciling with others. People need to repent of their sins against others (Luke 12:57–59) and against God (Luke 13:1–5). Here, Jesus warns that the nation of Israel also needs to repent. God has been patient but they are in danger of imminent judgment. This is the last story in this section about the kingdom of God (Luke 12:1—13:9). Next are two sections that begin with a Sabbath miracle and continue with teachings about salvation and God's kingdom (Luke 13:10—35; 14:1—15:32).

Jesus uses real-world examples to show that tragedy and death can come to anyone, even the righteous. No one should delay in reconciling to God; time is running out. Jesus heals a woman in the synagogue, on the Sabbath, triggering an angry response. Jesus scolds the synagogue leader, then preaches about the inevitable spread of the gospel around the entire world. However, He also notes that most people will reject this message, including the people of Israel.

Luke 9:51—19:27 is sometimes called "Jesus' Travelogue to Jerusalem." The segment describes how Jesus prepared the disciples for their future as He approached His own death and resurrection. Interspersed are a few altercations with religious leaders. There are calls for the crowd to repent of their sins and reconcile with God before it's too late. In Luke 13, two stories in particular reveal Jesus' heart. In one, He heals a long-suffering woman on the Sabbath; healing is a type of rest. In the last, He mourns the fact that, for now, the Jews as a nation will reject their Messiah.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.