Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

“a placing beside (akin to paraballo, to throw or lay beside, to compare). It signifies a placing of one thing beside another with a view of comparison…It is generally used of a somewhat lengthy utterance or narrative drawn from nature or human circumstances, the object of which is to set forth a spiritual lesson”

(Vine’s Expository Dictionary of NT Words)

“specifically a narrative, fictitious but agreeable to the laws and usages of human life, by which

either the duties of men or the things of God, particularly the nature and history of God’s kingdom, are figuratively portrayed”

(Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the NT)

Approximately 1/3 of the teachings of Jesus were in parabolic form

Purposes of parables given by Jesus:

1) To reveal truth to inquiring minds that wanted to know

2) To conceal truth from those not truly interested

And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him

shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in

parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

Matthew 13:10-13

Must keep in mind the context in studying parables

What is the context in which we find the parable of the barren fig tree?Jesus was teaching about the events of life and what causes them (Lk. 15:1-5)

He then enters into this parable

Who was to blame for Judah’s rebellion against the Messiah?

Had God done something to cause this rebellion by the Jews?

Many blame God (either advertently or inadvertently) for their problems God was not to blame; the Jews themselves were

Notice what is seen in this Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

Property of a Certain Man

He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree…

Luke 13:6

This “certain man” represents God, the owner of the vineyard and the owner of Judah (the fig tree)

This “certain man” represents God, the owner of the vineyard and the owner of Judah (the fig tree)

Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes. And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my

vineyard. What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes? And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down: And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also

command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.

Isaiah 5:1-7

This “certain man” represents God, the owner of the vineyard and the owner of Judah (the fig tree)

This “certain man” represents God, the owner of the vineyard and the owner of Judah (the fig tree)

Just so, He is the owner of every man by virtue of His being man’s Creator

Just so, He is the owner of every man by virtue of His being man’s Creator

Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

Ecclesiastes 12:7

Prepared in a Certain Fashion

He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted…

Luke 13:6

God had prepared them to be the people through whom His Son would come

God had prepared them to be the people through whom His Son would come

They would be the first recipients of the gospelThey would be the first recipients of the gospel

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Acts 1:8

God had prepared them to be the people through whom His Son would come

God had prepared them to be the people through whom His Son would come

They would be the first recipients of the gospelThey would be the first recipients of the gospel

He planted them in a fertile place and promised them a favorable position if they would obey His will

He planted them in a fertile place and promised them a favorable position if they would obey His will

But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

Hebrews 3:13-15

Even so we are not children of chanceEven so we are not children of chance

In becoming Christians we were planted in His vineyard through our baptism into Him

In becoming Christians we were planted in His vineyard through our baptism into Him

Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Acts 2:47

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

Colossians 1:13

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

Romans 6:4, 5

But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.

Matthew 15:13

Planted in a Certain Place

He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard…

Luke 13:6

Among the things promised to the descendants of Abraham was land, the land in which they would settle and be made ready for the coming of the Messiah

Among the things promised to the descendants of Abraham was land, the land in which they would settle and be made ready for the coming of the Messiah

Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Genesis 12:1-3

Among the things promised to the descendants of Abraham was land, the land in which they would settle and be made ready for the coming of the Messiah

Among the things promised to the descendants of Abraham was land, the land in which they would settle and be made ready for the coming of the Messiah

That land was given to them and that land promise was fulfilledThat land was given to them and that land promise was fulfilled

And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.

Joshua 23:14

When ye have transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you.

Joshua

23:16

In like fashion, every Christian has been “planted” in His vineyard, His church, His kingdom, that which was purchased by His blood

In like fashion, every Christian has been “planted” in His vineyard, His church, His kingdom, that which was purchased by His bloodThere are not many vineyards, but oneThere are not many vineyards, but one

God is its keeper and Christ its vine; we are the branchesGod is its keeper and Christ its vine; we are the branches

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in

me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

John 15:1-5

Presumed to Be a Certain Way

He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon…

Luke 13:6

Had an expectation from itHad an expectation from it

It was a fruit tree planted in a fertile place receiving the proper care

It was a fruit tree planted in a fertile place receiving the proper care

It should have borne fruit; but none was forthcomingIt should have borne fruit; but none was forthcoming

Judah should have borne much fruit, but it was barrenJudah should have borne much fruit, but it was barren

Likewise, God expects each of us to be fruit-producersLikewise, God expects each of us to be fruit-producers

Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Matthew 7:19

Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

John 15:8

Likewise, God expects each of us to be fruit-producersLikewise, God expects each of us to be fruit-producers

Some may be more favorably situated than others; some have more ability than others; some have more opportunity than others; but all can and must produce fruit

Some may be more favorably situated than others; some have more ability than others; some have more opportunity than others; but all can and must produce fruit

Perplexed by a Certain Condition

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…

Luke 13:6, 7a

Some ascribe the “three years” to the time of the Lord’s personal ministry on earth

Some ascribe the “three years” to the time of the Lord’s personal ministry on earth

Others maintain that it is symbolic of the attempts to reach the Jews through the law, the prophets and the Christ

Others maintain that it is symbolic of the attempts to reach the Jews through the law, the prophets and the Christ

The Jews, as a whole, were not convinced by all of theseThe Jews, as a whole, were not convinced by all of these

Even though the law and prophets spoke of Him, and He Himself taught them, urged them and pleaded with them during His time on earth, they still rejected Him

Even though the law and prophets spoke of Him, and He Himself taught them, urged them and pleaded with them during His time on earth, they still rejected HimThat which should have brought forth much fruit was actually fruitless

That which should have brought forth much fruit was actually fruitless

What will the Lord find with us when He returns?What will the Lord find with us when He returns?

Proposal of a Certain Action

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?

Luke 13:7

Seeing it had borne no fruit, though it should have, the husbandman requires that it be cut down (Judah was to be cut off)

Seeing it had borne no fruit, though it should have, the husbandman requires that it be cut down (Judah was to be cut off)“Cumbereth” means to “render barren or sterile; to make of none effect; make idle”

“Cumbereth” means to “render barren or sterile; to make of none effect; make idle”

A “barren fig tree” member lowers congregational moraleA “barren fig tree” member lowers congregational morale

If we are not bearing much fruit for the Lord, we are merely taking up space and “cumbering” the ground

If we are not bearing much fruit for the Lord, we are merely taking up space and “cumbering” the ground

“It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the DOER of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at

the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.”

“Citizenship in a Republic,” Teddy Roosevelt’s speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, France, April 23, 1910

Pitied to a Certain Extent

And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also…

Luke 13:8a

“This year” represents one last effort to summon Israel to repentance

“This year” represents one last effort to summon Israel to repentance

Some think it represents the ministries of John and Jesus (and even up till the time of Jerusalem’s destruction in A.D. 70)

Some think it represents the ministries of John and Jesus (and even up till the time of Jerusalem’s destruction in A.D. 70)Regardless of what it stands for in this parable, it is symbolic of God’s longsuffering and grace

Regardless of what it stands for in this parable, it is symbolic of God’s longsuffering and grace

Just as He was patient with Israel, He is patient with us Just as He was patient with Israel, He is patient with us

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

II Peter 3:9

Just as He was patient with Israel, He is patient with us Just as He was patient with Israel, He is patient with us

Jerusalem was not destroyed until some 40 years after the Lord’s death

Jerusalem was not destroyed until some 40 years after the Lord’s death

However, His patience will not persist foreverHowever, His patience will not persist forever

God waited patiently in the days of Noah (I Peter 3:20)God waited patiently in the days of Noah (I Peter 3:20)

In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

II Thessalonians 1:8, 9

Pampered for a Certain Time

And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also till I shall dig about it, and dung it:

Luke 13:8

The Lord did all He could with and for a rebellious people The Lord did all He could with and for a rebellious people

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto

you desolate.

Matthew 23:37, 38

The Lord did all He could with and for a rebellious people The Lord did all He could with and for a rebellious people

He is doing all He can for usHe is doing all He can for us

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and

purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Titus 2:11-14

Preserved by a Certain Outcome

And if it bear fruit, well…

Luke 13:9

Notice that there was a condition placed upon the salvation of the tree- “IF it bear fruit”

Notice that there was a condition placed upon the salvation of the tree- “IF it bear fruit”

The same condition is placed upon each of usThe same condition is placed upon each of us

Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

John 15:2

Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

II Peter 1:10

Purged Because of a Certain End

And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

Luke 13:9

If no fruit was forthcoming after the extended period of grace, the vine dresser stated that the fig tree should then be cut down

If no fruit was forthcoming after the extended period of grace, the vine dresser stated that the fig tree should then be cut down

The choice of whether it would continue in the vineyard or be cut down and cast into the fire was entirely up to the fig tree

The choice of whether it would continue in the vineyard or be cut down and cast into the fire was entirely up to the fig tree

The decision of where we will spend eternity is up to each of usThe decision of where we will spend eternity is up to each of us

Prepared in a Certain FashionProperty of a Certain Man

Planted in a Certain PlacePresumed to be a Certain Way

Perplexed by a Certain ConditionProposal of a Certain Action

Pitied to a Certain ExtentPampered for a Certain Time

Preserved by a Certain OutcomePurged Because of a Certain End

The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree Shows Us:

The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree Shows Us:

The story does not reveal whether or not the additional

year was successful

It is interesting that this is the way the parable ends

We know, of course, that with Israel it wasn’t

But, how the story ends for each of us is yet to be written

Sources Consulted-Parables of Our Lord (Faulkner Univ. Lectures, 1994)-The Parables of Jesus (Power Lectures, 2000)-Studies in Luke (Shertz Lectures, 2003)-Sermon- “The Barren Fig Tree,” by Allen Webster