6 And He began telling this parable : "A man had a fig tree which had been planted in his vineyard ; and he came looking for fruit on it and did not find any. 7 "And he said to the vineyard-keeper , 'Behold , for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without e finding any. Cut it down ! Why does it even use up the ground ?' 8 "And he answered and said to him, 'Let it alone , sir , for this year too , until I dig around it and put in fertilizer ; 9 and if it bears fruit next e year, fine; but if not, cut it down .' "
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 13:6-9
Commentary on Luke 13:6-9
(Read Luke 13:6-9)
This parable of the barren fig-tree is intended to enforce the warning given just before: the barren tree, except it brings forth fruit, will be cut down. This parable in the first place refers to the nation and people of the Jews. Yet it is, without doubt, for awakening all that enjoy the means of grace, and the privileges of the visible church. When God has borne long, we may hope that he will bear with us yet a little longer, but we cannot expect that he will bear always.