Barren Fig Tree

Luke 13:6-9

Our Lord also gave us this parable about a certain man that had a fig tree planted in his
vineyard. This parable is found only in Luke, but both here and in the miraculous cursing of the
fig tree in Matthew 21:18–21, the tree seems to stand for Israel. The lesson is that when God
gives spiritual privileges, He has a right to expect fruit. One might also learn the danger of not
producing fruit. Even though the Lord was merciful with Israel, He had to judge that nation. Here
is the parable of the Barren Fig Tree.

(Luke 13:6-9) 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.

Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on
this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said
unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit,
well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

Fig trees yielded sweet fruit in the summer. Figs could be dried and stored for future use. Jesus
used this well-known tree to make a point about God’s eternal judgment. In this passage, the fig
tree represented Israel, which was in danger of God’s judgment if it continued to reject its
Messiah.

Jesus had just told the religious rulers in the crowd, "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise
perish.” Now, with this parable He reinforces the warning. It primarily refers to the nation of
Israel and the Jewish people. God chose them for his own, and He gave them advantages
above any other people, and He expected them to produce the fruit of obedience, praise and
honor. But they disappointed Him: they did not do their duty and they worshipped other gods.
For that reason, He turned them over to their enemies. They suffered from the cruel treatment
and heavy taxes that were forced upon them. When they cried out to God for deliverance, He
delivered them and graciously gave them more time and more mercy. And He sent His prophets
among them, to call them to repentance, and to offer them pardon, upon repentance. Some of
them did repent, and produced fruit, but for the most part the nation continued unrepentant and
unfruitful.

The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree begins with this fig-tree that belonged to a certain man. In
the parable he represents God. The owner had good expectations for it, and at the proper time
He came, and sought fruit thereon, and he had reason to expect it. This is representative of
Christ who came into this world, came to his own, to the Jews, seeking fruit. Take note of the
fact that God requires and expects fruit from those that have a place in his vineyard. In this
case, He was disappointed because He found none, not one fig. It is sad to think how many
enjoy the privileges of salvation today, and yet do nothing at all to honor God. The owner
complains to the man who cares for his vineyard, because there isn’t a single fig to be picked.

The owner of the vineyard shows that he is a very patient man. He had come every year for
three years, expecting to find fruit. He didn’t expect a lot of fruit, so he didn’t have high
expectations, but was disappointed every time. In general, this teaches that God is long-
suffering with those believers who do not produce the fruit of service to Him. How many times
has God come to many of us seeking fruit, but found none.
This fig-tree not only failed to bring forth fruit, but it took up space that could be used by a good
tree. And those who do not do good, but are a bad example instead, hurt others by the influence
of their bad example, and they encourage those who are bad.

The useless tree is doomed when the master said, “Cut it down.” And the useless man or nation
will be cut down by the judgments of God, especially spiritual judgments, such as those on the
Jews that believed not. They are cut down by death, and cast into the fire of hell; and with good
reason, for why cumbers it the ground? What reason is there why a barren tree should have a
place in the vineyard?

The caretaker intercedes for the tree and asks his master for a reprieve: He asks, “Lord, let it
alone this year also.” We can only thank Jesus, the great Intercessor that barren trees are not
cut down immediately. If it hadn’t been for Christ’s work on our behalf the whole world would
have been cut down when Adam sinned. We are all guilty of sin, but we may obtain a reprieve
through the prayers of others for us, but not a pardon; that requires our own faith, and
repentance, and prayers, The caretaker asks for one more year, for he says it is possible that it
may yet be fruitful. It is a hope that the owner and caretaker share, so if they are successful and
the tree becomes fruitful, they both will be pleased. In this parable, God the Father is the
caretaker, and if the tree bears fruit it will be transplanted from the vineyard on earth to the
paradise above. But he adds, “If not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.” Cutting down,
although it is work that will be done, is work that God does not take pleasure in.

Israel had been promised blessings if they walked in the light God had given them and curses if
they rejected the light. The nation was given special attention—cultivated and fertilized. It should
have produced fruit, but it did not. Israel rejected Christ, even saying, “…His blood be on us,
and our children” (Matt. 27:25). Israel did experience God’s judgment and was scattered among
the nations of the world.

It is interesting to note that Israel cannot live in her land today and have peace while she
continues to reject God. It is not the Arabs who are giving Israel so much trouble: it is God. He is
going to bring them back to their land someday in faith and belief. They are returning to the land
today in unbelief, and they do not have peace. This is evidence of the hand of God in the
affaires of the world.

The Parable of the Barren Fig-Tree

I. FROM THE SCOPE OF THE PARABLE WE MAY NOTE —

1. That temporal judgments inflicted on some should excite others to fear God's Divine wrath
and vengeance.

2. No person ought to be rash to censure others on whom temporal judgments befall: there is no
knowing either love or hatred by anything that is under the sun.

II. EXPLAIN THE TERMS.

1. By "a certain man," is meant the great God.

2. By "vineyard" is meant the Church of God.

(1) The Church is taken out of the field of this world.

(2) Walled or fenced in.

(a)  Defended by special providences, etc.

(b)  By holy angels.

3. But why does our Lord compare professors of religion to fig-trees?

(1) He may allude to the practice of those who had vineyards in the land of Canaan, in which
they frequently planted not only vines, but fig-trees.

(2) It may be because a fig-tree that brings forth good figs requires much heat of the sun. So
professors of Christianity cannot thrive so as to bring forth good fruit, but under the Divine and
warm influences of the Sun of Righteousness, and the blessed gospel of God's grace.

(3) Because no tree is commonly more fruitful than the fig-tree.

(4) A fig-tree bears choice fruit.

(5) Fig-trees bear fruit all the year (see Jeremiah 17:7; Psalm 92:12-14).

(6) There are some barren fig-trees; they are not of the right kind, but seem a bastard sort of
plants. So some professors, who, though they are planted in Christ's vineyard, yet are barren or
fruitless; they are not true believers, but mere counterfeits, professors, that have the name of
spiritual fig-trees, but not the nature.

4. "Came and sought fruit thereon."(1) God takes notice of every particular person that is planted
in His vineyard.

(2) God expects fruit from each.

(3) If there be but one member in the Church that is fruitless, God will soon find him out.
5. By "three years," I understand to be meant that time God is pleased to afford to a people, a
certain time being here mentioned to denote an uncertain.

(1) The first year may denote the beginning of the means of grace, which God affords to men.

(2) The second year, the proper time that fig-trees bear fruit, if not the first year, then it is
expected that it brings forth fruit the second.

(3) Or it may imply that God expects sinners should bring forth quickly after they sit under the
means of grace.

(4) Moreover, it may denote that the means of grace may not be of long continuance.

(5) Also it may signify God's patience.

6. "Cut it down," &c. God will not always bear with fruitless professors.

(1) God may direct His speech to His Church, and to the subordinate vinedressers. "Cut it down"
by excommunication.

(2) Or God may speak to Jesus Christ. Smite his root, let him wither.

(3) Give him up to his own heart's lust.

(4) Leave him to delusions.

(5) Death.Inferences:

1. Let such as are planted in God's vineyard tremble if not fruitful in grace. The Church will be
no sanctuary to such.

2. Some who are in Christ's vineyard were never planted there by God.

3. Men may have leaves, and even the appearance of fruit, and may seem to grow and flourish
for a time, yet, nevertheless, may not bring forth the true and saving fruits of the Spirit.

4. The barren soul shall not stand long in God's vineyard.

7. The reason why this barren fig-tree is cut down.

(1) It is good for nothing.

(2) Another tree might grow where it stands.

(a)  Barren professors cumber poor ministers by their cross and peevish spirits.
(b)  They cumber the spirits of their pious parents.

(c)  They cumber the minds of serious Christians, members of the same Church, who are
ashamed to hear of their pride, passion, idleness, &c.

(d)  They are a sad incumbrance to the whole vineyard.

(e)  They are cumbersome to God Himself (Isaiah 1:14).

(f)  They grieve and afflict the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ.

(g)  They grieve the Holy Spirit.

8. "Let it alone this year also."(1) Barren souls are spared through Christ's prayer and
intercession.

(2) God is slow to anger, unwilling immediately to cut down unfruitful professors.

9. Why does Christ intercede for sinners?

(1) Because He died for them.

(2) Because He ever lives to make intercession with the Father.

(3) Because He knows that if He interceded not, no sinner could live a moment longer.

(B. Keach.)