The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree: Summary and Meaning

The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree in Luke 13:6-9 is not a happy story.
A man planted a fig tree that bore no fruit for years. He told his servant to cut it down, but the servant urged him to wait one more year. He explained to his master how he would care for the tree and help it bear fruit.
Jesus told this parable immediately after telling some of his listeners, "Unless you repent, you will all perish."
Therefore, we should read this parable as a warning.
Ask yourself, am I bearing good fruit?
Or am I like the fig tree that year after year bears no fruit?
Bearing good fruit might be the good actions you do for others. It might be the ways in which you have told people about Jesus and brought them to him. What are the good things that have happened because of the way you are living your life?
But don't stop there. Jesus tells us to repent. Ask for God's forgiveness for all the missed opportunities in our lives, then ask for his help in doing better in the future.
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[@ste-fitzgerald]

Correction , the gardener doesn't say give it three more years. It was there for 3 years and he actually said just give it a year.

[@e.g.726]

Thank you so much for your beautiful explanation. It makes a world of difference! Many blessings!

[@mangoliys]

this was very helpful, thank you!

[@cw4608]

It made me wonder if the Jewish people weren’t the fig tree, the gardener was Jesus during his three years of ministry. Those who would reject him after three years, despite miracles, etc., would be lost. Just a thought that crossed my mind.

[@tinasmith7630]

CD b right on.

[@markelsamuel1618]

This was so great and simple thank you!

[@darragh2511]

This could be very relatable to the 144,000, with each being a gardener in the last days, and each providing fertiliser (the word), for the final harvest

[@lesleypillay2865]

Thank you

[@stephenstrager9852]

To the person who created this video, I hope you read this comment, and I hope it enters your heart with the love with which it is intended, because your explanation, while undoubtedly well intentioned, is not actually correct, simply due to the fact that the parable clearly states that the tree will be destroyed if it does not bear fruit. Because of that, this is the accurate reading: Tree = person Fig = faith The faithless person gets hewn down. And, yes, the point is that it can take a bit of time to develop belief/faith. It definitely took ME a long time. But, if we think that the “fruit” in this instance is the “fruit of the spirit,” as many people do, simply because the word “fruit” is used, or even “bearing good fruit/making the world a better place,” as you said, then you have this problem: Tree = Faithful person Fig = Bearing good fruit This means that a faithful person who does not “bear good fruit” or one who does not “make the world a better place” as you put it, gets hewn down and cast away. That is a works-based salvation, and it is not Christian. The ONLY reason anyone will get hewn down and cast away is lack of belief in Jesus. Therefore, on the individual level, the fig = faith/belief. There is also a very strong message directed at Israel herself (in addition to individuals), but I’m not going to get into that here.

[@suerich7100]

Isn’t the point that we are the tree, GOD IS THE VINEDRESSER, the better point to be made is that God is going to dig around us and put some fertilizer on us ( outpouring of Holy Spirit in last days) and if we will receive his great care, he will transform us and not cut us out of our eternal inheritance. (For those not yet saved especially). We are definitely in the last days before Jesus return for his kids! He’s doing His part to include all that will come to him and submit to His will for their lives to come. Blessings!

[@ChildofGOD742]

You made an Awesome point because I was expecting Him to talk about that too!

[@shasannyyyy]

Good point,He doesn’t cultivate the seed but the land/ soil surrounding it, so that the seed itself grows

[@scottlong5093]

I'm so sorry but you missed the entire point of this parable. This is about Israel rejecting their messiah and not bearing fruit for God. Jesus ministered to Israel for 3 years and they still did not accept Jesus. Jesus is wanting to give Israel a second chance, an additional year, but they still did not accept Jesus as their Messiah. They were cut off after the additional year. The stoning of Stephen was the final demonstration that Israel would not accept Jesus. Then Paul, our apostle, was given the dispensation of the grace of God for us, Jews and gentiles. After we are raptured, God will again turn his attention to Israel.

[@Chris-hn4lp]

You didn't even get the parable right. I respect that you mean well, but if you do not even remember the parable, you cannot interpret the meaning correctly.

[@randymatthew8746]

This GUY IS Wrong it means You will see Jesus in 2018 to 2028 He will be Hear in 2023

[@ChildofGOD742]

No one knows of what time day or hour that day will come But God.

[@tinotenda7300]

This is SO FALSE. It says in the word that nobody knows the day or hour. Read your Bible.