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Luke 13:8
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The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

6 He also spoke this parable: a“A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.  
7 Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it1 use up the ground?’  
8 But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.
9 And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can acut it down.’ ”  

A Spirit of Infirmity

10 Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath.
11 And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way1 raise herself up.  
Commentaries:
Forerunner Commentary
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What Does Luke 13:8 Mean?



Luke 13:8

The owner's waiting signifies the delay of vengeance, to give Israel an opportunity to repent. Knowing that the vineyard's owner had every reason to be disappointed with the barren tree, the keeper intercedes for the tree's life, asking for another year. He does not plead for its indefinite existence, but for an opportunity to stimulate it into fruitfulness by imposing more dramatic measures. If it bears fruit after further treatment, then the keeper knows that the owner will be pleased to allow the tree to remain in the vineyard. The keeper asks only for the owner to postpone judgment.

In the intercessory plea of the keeper, we have an illustration of Jesus' reluctance to let Israel go. During His life, Jesus prayed for fruitless Israel to repent (Matthew 23:27; Mark 1:15; Luke 23:34). In answer, God sent the apostles to provide Israel another opportunity to repent, as they fertilized Israel with God's truth (Matthew 10:6; Luke 24:46-47; II Timothy 2:25-26).

Martin G. Collins
Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

Related Topics: Bearing Fruit | Delay in Judgment | Delay of Vengeance | Fruit, Bearing | Fruitless Israel | Intercessory Plea | Intercessory Prayer | Opportunity to Repent | Parable of the Barren Fig Tree | Postponing Judgment | Repentance, Opportunity for




Other Forerunner Commentary entries containing Luke 13:8:

Psalm 1:1-3
Jeremiah 7:5-7


 
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