Then Jesus told them this parable: “A man had a fig tree that had been planted in his vineyard. He went to look for fruit on it but didn’t find any. So he said to the gardener, ‘Look here! For three years I have been coming to look for fruit on this tree but haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it waste the soil?’
But the gardener replied, ‘Sir, leave it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and fertilize it. Maybe next year it’ll bear fruit. If not, then cut it down.'” [ISV]Luke 13:6-9
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. Finally, he said to his gardener, ‘I’ve waited three years, and there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it down. It’s just taking up space in the garden.’
The gardener answered, ‘Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down.'” [NLT]Luke 13:6-9
What an interesting little story. Did you spot the difference between these two versions of the story?
In one, the tree is set in a garden (NLT) and in the other (ISV) it is set in a vineyard. So which is it? The more literal version is “vineyard”. That is what the word [ampelon] means – vineyard. But some versions change it to read garden, with the thought that what was intended is a vineyard with other trees in it, other than grapevines. It was not unusual for a vineyard to have a fig tree in it. The fig tree would benefit from the fertility of the vineyard. It is a classic case of multi-cropping, where the planting of different crops in the vineyard is of benefit to all concerned. The nutrients one crop takes and replaces with others, gives benefit all round. Besides the land use advantages that can be gained are of benefit too. Multi cropping is a good way to go. It is likely that other trees were grown in this vineyard as well. So, for the sake of expanding the awareness of what the land was like, the word “garden” has been substituted for “vineyard”. That is alright, as long as there is no more significance to this parable than that. But I suspect there is more. Therefore I prefer the ISV version.
Figs and fig tree and the vine and the vineyard are used consistently in the Bible to depict Israel as a nation, and the idea of figs, vineyards and pomegranates are depicted as representing the land and its fruitfulness.
Here are some verses for you to ponder. Relating to the vine and vineyards:- 1 Kings 4:25, 2 Kings 18:31, Isa 5:1-10, Jer 2:21, Matt 20 and Matt 21.
Relating to figs and the fig tree:- Isa 36:16, Jer 24:1-8, Matt 21, Mark 11
Both the fig tree and the vineyard are a strong symbol of the nation of Israel and its well being. So why does Jesus talk of a fig tree planted in vineyard? Yes, I have told you already that vineyards frequently had other trees planted in them. Most often, among those other trees were figs and pomegranates. But in this case, I can’t help but wonder if Jesus was not sending a strong message with his selection of a fig tree in a vineyard. It is like a double dose of the symbol for Israel. Just so they wouldn’t miss the double meaning.
We are told that this is a parable. So therefore, elements of the story symbolize something else. It is clear that Jesus is talking about Israel. This fig tree is not a young one. The owner has come time and time again, expecting to see fruit but there is none. He is coming to check on a mature tree, one that should be producing fruit by now but all he finds are leaves. The owner comes to inspect the tree. The tree from a distance would only display its leaves. The owner would have to look under the leaves for the fruit. Immature trees in the first two years up to the third year just produced leaves. But by the third year the owner would expect to find fruit. He has been looking for some time for fruit on this tree but still there is no evidence of fruit. There ought to be!
The tree symbolizes Israel as a nation and hints at the immaturity of Israel as a nation and the leaders of Israel. Kind of reminiscent of good and bad figs, only this time there is no fruit whatsoever. This fig tree is just taking up space. Are you just taking up space and not being effective? This tree is wasting the ground in which it is planted. In the terms of the ISV it is “wasting the good fertile soil” in which it is planted. In the words of the NLT is “taking up space in the garden”. When it ought to be in an intensive cropping situation and producing fully, along with the rest of the vineyard, it is not producing anything. The fig tree is often used to refer to the leaders of Israel. Judges 9:8-15 or Jer 24:1-8. Of course this passage could refer to the crowd as a whole, but Jesus is likely using it to point out the unfruitfulness in the leaders of Israel: the pharisees and the experts in the law.
The vinedresser pleads with the owner to give it another year, loosen the soil around so moisture and fertilizer can penetrate and look after it for that year. Interesting isn’t it. The vinedresser (one could assume Jesus) asks the owner (God the Father) to give it another year. Not only do we have a double focus on Israel, we also have a double focus on God. [It is interesting in John 15:1 that God is referred to as the vinedresser.] It is clear that God is paying careful attention to this one. In the words of the parable of the bridegroom and the thief, He is paying careful attention to these servants. This fig tree has been put on notice. Bear fruit or be dug up, roots and all. In the end the Vinedresser will bow to the Owner to deal with the unfruitful tree. He won’t cut it down / dig it out Himself. He will leave that to Father God. Remember the references to laying the axe to the root. (Luke 3:9, 8:13). Cut it out, roots and all, don’t just cut it down. Remove it altogether. So that it will no longer take up space in the garden or waste soil. This parable of the fig tree is saying “Repent or be cut off”? Time is being given to repent, but there is a limit. The owner will settle all accounts at the Judgement.
Wow, harsh but necessary. Yes, this is an indictment against the leaders of Israel, those who should know better. But we would do well to take it to heart too. Those of us who are mature trees and ought to be showing some fruit by now. Take it away and chew on it. Bark and all.
If your roots [foundations] are forgotten then your fruits will be rotten.
Sidney Mohede
The aim of killing the weeds of sin is that the fruit of the Spirit might flourish.
John Piper
Your life is the fruit of your own doing; you have no one to blame but yourself.
Anon
You’ve got to go out on a limb sometimes because that’s where the fruit is.
Will Rogers