Luke 13:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.

NIV: Then he told this parable: 'A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any.

NASB: And He began telling this parable: 'A man had a fig tree which had been planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and did not find any.

CSB: And he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree that was planted in his vineyard. He came looking for fruit on it and found none.

NLT: Then Jesus told this story: 'A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed.

KJV: He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.

NKJV: 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.

Prior lessons were Jesus speaking about people repenting to each other (Luke 12:57–59) and to God (Luke 13:1–5). He points out that the time to do so is short, but reconciliation is much better than judgment.

Now, He expands the message to Jews as a people, as represented by the fig tree (Hosea 9:10; Jeremiah 8:13; 24:1–10). The owner of the tree, God the Father, sees no fruit. In fact, the tree hasn't produced fruit in the past three years. He tells the vinedresser, Jesus, to cut it down. The vinedresser begs for one more year. He will fertilize it with manure and see if it will "repent"—or turn away from—its fruitlessness. If it still doesn't, it will be cut down (Luke 13:6–9).

In Luke 12:57–59, Jesus tells the offender to reconcile with the victim. In Luke 13:1–5, He tells the sinful people to reconcile with the God they have sinned against. Here, He shows how He is trying to orchestrate reconciliation between God and the sinful nation. For now, the people will fail to hear His warning. As a nation, Jews will demand His death. As a nation, they will reject the apostles' teaching. In AD 70, the nation will be destroyed.

Jesus will compare Israel to a fig tree during Passion Week, as well. As He approaches Jerusalem, He sees a fig tree that does not produce fruit. He curses it, and it dies (Matthew 21:19–21; Mark 11:13–14, 20–21). Israel has had many opportunities to repent and recognize their Messiah (Luke 12:54–56). They choose to crucify Him instead.

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.