Commentaries:
Adam Clarke
A certain man - Many meanings are given to this parable, and divines may abound in them; the sense which our Lord designed to convey by it appears to be the following: -
1.A person, , God Almighty.
2.Had a fig tree, the Jewish Church.
3.Planted in his vineyard - established in the land of Judea.
4.He came seeking fruit - he required that the Jewish people should walk in righteousness, in proportion to the spiritual culture he bestowed on them.
5.The vine-dresser - the Lord Jesus, for God hath committed all judgment to the Son, John 5:22.
6.Cut it down - let the Roman sword be unsheathed against it.
7.Let it alone - Christ is represented as intercessor for sinners, for whose sake the day of their probation is often lengthened; during which time he is constantly employed in doing every thing that has a tendency to promote their salvation.
8.Thou shalt cut it down - a time will come, that those who have not turned at God' s invitations and reproofs shall be cut off, and numbered with the transgressors.
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