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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Luke 13:7 So he said to the keeper of the vineyard, 'Look, for the past three years I have come to search for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Therefore cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?'</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/luke/13-7.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/42_Luk_13_07.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Luke 13:7 - The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So he said to the keeper of the vineyard, 'Look, for the past three years I have come to search for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Therefore cut it down! 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Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?&#8217 <a href="/nlt/luke/13.htm">New Living Translation</a> Finally, he said to his gardener, ‘I’ve waited three years, and there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it down. It’s just taking up space in the garden.’ <a href="/esv/luke/13.htm">English Standard Version</a> And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ <a href="/bsb/luke/13.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> So he said to the keeper of the vineyard, ‘Look, for the past three years I have come to search for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Therefore cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ <a href="/blb/luke/13.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And he said to the vinedresser, 'Behold, throughout these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and do not find any. Therefore cut it down! Why even should it use up the ground?' <a href="/kjv/luke/13.htm">King James Bible</a> 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? <a href="/nkjv/luke/13.htm">New King James Version</a> 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 it use up the ground?’ <a href="/nasb_/luke/13.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And he said to the vineyard-keeper, ‘Look! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without finding any. Cut it down! Why does it even use up the ground?’ <a href="/nasb/luke/13.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220And he said to the vineyard-keeper, &#8216Behold, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without finding any. Cut it down! Why does it even use up the ground?&#8217 <a href="/nasb77/luke/13.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “And he said to the vineyard-keeper, ‘Behold, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without finding any. Cut it down! Why does it even use up the ground?’ <a href="/lsb/luke/13.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And he said to the vineyard-keeper, ‘Behold, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree without finding any. Cut it down! Why does it even use up the ground?’ <a href="/amp/luke/13.htm">Amplified Bible</a> so he said to the vineyard-keeper, ‘For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree and have found none. Cut it down! Why does it even use up the ground [depleting the soil and blocking the sunlight]?’ <a href="/csb/luke/13.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> He told the vineyard worker, ‘Listen, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it even waste the soil? ’ <a href="/hcsb/luke/13.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> He told the vineyard worker, Listen, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree and haven&#8217t found any. Cut it down! Why should it even waste the soil?&#8217 <a href="/asv/luke/13.htm">American Standard Version</a> And he said unto the vinedresser, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why doth it also cumber the ground? <a href="/cev/luke/13.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> So he said to the gardener, "For three years I have come looking for figs on this tree, and I haven't found any yet. Chop it down! Why should it take up space?" <a href="/erv/luke/13.htm">English Revised Version</a> And he said unto the vinedresser, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why doth it also cumber the ground? <a href="/gwt/luke/13.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> He said to the gardener, 'For the last three years I've come to look for figs on this fig tree but haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up [good] soil?' <a href="/gnt/luke/13.htm">Good News Translation</a> So he said to his gardener, 'Look, for three years I have been coming here looking for figs on this fig tree, and I haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it go on using up the soil?' <a href="/isv/luke/13.htm">International Standard Version</a> So he told the gardener, 'Look here! For three years I've been coming to look for fruit on this tree but I haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it waste the soil?' <a href="/msb/luke/13.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> So he said to the keeper of the vineyard, ‘Look, for the past three years I have come to search for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Therefore cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ <a href="/net/luke/13.htm">NET Bible</a> So he said to the worker who tended the vineyard, 'For three years now, I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and each time I inspect it I find none. Cut it down! Why should it continue to deplete the soil?' <a href="/nheb/luke/13.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> He said to the vine dresser, 'Look, these three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and found none. Cut it down. Why does it waste the soil?' <a href="/wbt/luke/13.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Then said he to 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? <a href="/wey/luke/13.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> So he said to the gardener, "'See, this is the third year I have come to look for fruit on this fig-tree and cannot find any. Cut it down. Why should so much ground be actually wasted?' <a href="/web/luke/13.htm">World English Bible</a> He said to the vine dresser, ‘Behold, these three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and found none. Cut it down! Why does it waste the soil?’ <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/luke/13.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and he said to the vinedresser, Behold, three years I come seeking fruit in this fig tree, and do not find [it], cut it off, why does it also render the ground useless? <a href="/blb/luke/13.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And he said to the vinedresser, 'Behold, throughout these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and do not find any. Therefore cut it down! Why even should it use up the ground?' <a href="/ylt/luke/13.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and he said unto the vine-dresser, Lo, three years I come seeking fruit in this fig-tree, and do not find, cut it off, why also the ground doth it render useless? <a href="/slt/luke/13.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he said to the vine-dresser, Behold, three years I am come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find not: cut it off; wherefore also does it leave the earth unemployed?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/luke/13.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And he said to the dresser of the vineyard: Behold, for these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it done therefore: why cumbereth it the ground? <a href="/cpdv/luke/13.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Then he said to the cultivator of the vineyard: ‘Behold, for these three years I came seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I have found none. Therefore, cut it down. For why should it even occupy the land?’ <a href="/nabre/luke/13.htm">New American Bible</a> he said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. [So] cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?’ <a href="/nrsvce/luke/13.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> So he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/luke/13.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> So he said to the laborer, Behold, for three years, I have been coming and seeking fruit on this fig tree, and found none; cut it down; why should it waste the ground? <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/luke/13.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And he said to the cultivator, 'Behold, three years I have come seeking fruit in this fig tree, and I find none; cut it down; why is it taking up space?'<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/luke/13.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Then he said to his vine-dresser, Behold, for three years I have come and sought fruit on this fig-tree, and I have found none; cut it down; why does it occupy the ground unprofitably? <a href="/godbey/luke/13.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>and he said to the vinedresser, Behold, three years from which I come seeking fruit on this fig-tree, and I find none: cut it down; why indeed does it cumber the ground?<Fr> <a href="/haweis/luke/13.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Then said he to the vine-dresser, Lo! for three years have I come, expecting fruit on this fig-tree, and find none: cut it down; why doth it render the ground thus useless? <a href="/mace/luke/13.htm">Mace New Testament</a> then he said to the vine-dresser, you see, I have been looking these three years for fruit from this fig-tree, but find none: hew it down, why should it cumber my ground? <a href="/wey/luke/13.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> So he said to the gardener, "'See, this is the third year I have come to look for fruit on this fig-tree and cannot find any. Cut it down. Why should so much ground be actually wasted?' <a href="/worrell/luke/13.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>And he said to the vinedresser, 'Behold, these three years I come, seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none; cut it down; why does it also make the land useless?'<Fr> <a href="/worsley/luke/13.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>And he said to the vine-dresser, behold, <Fr>these<FR> three years I come seeking fruit on this fig-tree, and find none: cut it down, why should it cumber the ground?<Fr> <a href="/parallel/luke/13-7.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3-5_0Jtd9Lc?start=5552" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/luke/13.htm">The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree</a> 6Then Jesus told this parable: “A man had a fig tree that was planted in his vineyard. He went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. 7<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">So</a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: eipen (V-AIA-3S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">he said</a> <a href="/greek/4314.htm" title="4314: pros (Prep) -- To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.">to</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/289.htm" title="289: ampelourgon (N-AMS) -- A vine-dresser, gardener. From ampelos and ergon; a vine-worker, i.e. Pruner.">keeper of the vineyard,</a> <a href="/greek/2400.htm" title="2400: Idou (V-AMA-2S) -- See! Lo! Behold! Look! Second person singular imperative middle voice of eido; used as imperative lo!">‘Look,</a> <a href="/greek/575.htm" title="575: aph’ (Prep) -- From, away from. A primary particle; off, i.e. Away, in various senses.">for</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: hou (RelPro-GMS) -- Who, which, what, that. ">the past</a> <a href="/greek/5140.htm" title="5140: tria (Adj-ANP) -- Three. Or neuter tria a primary number; three.">three</a> <a href="/greek/2094.htm" title="2094: etē (N-ANP) -- A year. Apparently a primary word; a year.">years</a> <a href="/greek/2064.htm" title="2064: erchomai (V-PIM/P-1S) -- To come, go. ">I have come</a> <a href="/greek/2212.htm" title="2212: zētōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- To seek, search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to worship, or to plot.">to search for</a> <a href="/greek/2590.htm" title="2590: karpon (N-AMS) -- Probably from the base of harpazo; fruit, literally or figuratively.">fruit</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">on</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: tautē (DPro-DFS) -- This; he, she, it. ">this</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tē (Art-DFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4808.htm" title="4808: sykē (N-DFS) -- A fig-tree. From sukon; a fig-tree.">fig tree</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouch (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/2147.htm" title="2147: heuriskō (V-PIA-1S) -- A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find.">haven’t found any.</a> <a href="/greek/3767.htm" title="3767: oun (Conj) -- Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.">Therefore</a> <a href="/greek/1581.htm" title="1581: ekkopson (V-AMA-2S) -- To cut out (off, away), remove, prevent. From ek and kopto; to exscind; figuratively, to frustrate.">cut it down!</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autēn (PPro-AF3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/2443.htm" title="2443: hina (Conj) -- In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.">Why</a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: ti (IPro-ANS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what."></a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/2673.htm" title="2673: katargei (V-PIA-3S) -- From kata and argeo; to be entirely idle, literally or figuratively.">should it use up</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/1093.htm" title="1093: gēn (N-AFS) -- Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.">soil?’ </a> 8‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone again this year, until I dig around it and fertilize it.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/3-10.htm">Matthew 3:10</a> The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. <a href="/john/15-2.htm">John 15:2</a> He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful. <a href="/matthew/7-19.htm">Matthew 7:19</a> Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. <a href="/isaiah/5-1.htm">Isaiah 5:1-7</a> I will sing for my beloved a song of his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. / He dug it up and cleared the stones and planted the finest vines. He built a watchtower in the middle and dug out a winepress as well. He waited for the vineyard to yield good grapes, but the fruit it produced was sour! / “And now, O dwellers of Jerusalem and men of Judah, I exhort you to judge between Me and My vineyard. ... <a href="/jeremiah/8-13.htm">Jeremiah 8:13</a> I will take away their harvest, declares the LORD. There will be no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the tree, and even the leaf will wither. Whatever I have given them will be lost to them.” <a href="/matthew/21-19.htm">Matthew 21:19</a> Seeing a fig tree by the road, He went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. “May you never bear fruit again!” He said. And immediately the tree withered. <a href="/mark/11-13.htm">Mark 11:13-14</a> Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if there was any fruit on it. But when He reached it, He found nothing on it except leaves, since it was not the season for figs. / Then He said to the tree, “May no one ever eat of your fruit again.” And His disciples heard this statement. <a href="/romans/11-17.htm">Romans 11:17-24</a> Now if some branches have been broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others to share in the nourishment of the olive root, / do not boast over those branches. If you do, remember this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. / You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” ... <a href="/hosea/9-10.htm">Hosea 9:10</a> I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness. I saw your fathers as the firstfruits of the fig tree in its first season. But they went to Baal-peor, and consecrated themselves to Shame; so they became as detestable as the thing they loved. <a href="/micah/7-1.htm">Micah 7:1</a> Woe is me! For I am like one gathering summer fruit at the gleaning of the vineyard; there is no cluster to eat, no early fig that I crave. <a href="/matthew/12-33.htm">Matthew 12:33</a> Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is known by its fruit. <a href="/john/15-6.htm">John 15:6</a> If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned. <a href="/psalms/80-8.htm">Psalm 80:8-16</a> You uprooted a vine from Egypt; You drove out the nations and transplanted it. / You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land. / The mountains were covered by its shade, and the mighty cedars with its branches. ... <a href="/ezekiel/15-2.htm">Ezekiel 15:2-6</a> “Son of man, how does the wood of the vine surpass any other branch among the trees in the forest? / Can wood be taken from it to make something useful? Or can one make from it a peg on which to hang utensils? / No, it is cast into the fire for fuel. The fire devours both ends, and the middle is charred. Can it be useful for anything? ... <a href="/matthew/25-24.htm">Matthew 25:24-30</a> Finally, the servant who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Master, I knew that you are a hard man, reaping where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. / So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what belongs to you.’ / ‘You wicked, lazy servant!’ replied his master. ‘You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed. ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Then said he to the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why encumbers it the ground?three.<a href="/leviticus/19-23.htm">Leviticus 19:23</a> And when ye shall come into the land, and shall have planted all manner of trees for food, then ye shall count the fruit thereof as uncircumcised: three years shall it be as uncircumcised unto you: it shall not be eaten of.<a href="/leviticus/25-21.htm">Leviticus 25:21</a> Then I will command my blessing upon you in the sixth year, and it shall bring forth fruit for three years.<a href="/romans/2-4.htm">Romans 2:4,5</a> Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? … cut.<a href="/luke/3-9.htm">Luke 3:9</a> And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.<a href="/exodus/32-10.htm">Exodus 32:10</a> Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.<a href="/daniel/4-14.htm">Daniel 4:14</a> He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches:why.<a href="/exodus/32-10.htm">Exodus 32:10</a> Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.<a href="/matthew/3-9.htm">Matthew 3:9</a> And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/8-8.htm">Actually</a> <a href="/luke/12-46.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/amos/7-14.htm">Dresser</a> <a href="/luke/13-6.htm">Fig</a> <a href="/luke/13-6.htm">Fig-Tree</a> <a href="/luke/13-6.htm">Find</a> <a href="/luke/13-6.htm">Found</a> <a href="/luke/13-6.htm">Fruit</a> <a href="/john/20-15.htm">Gardener</a> <a href="/luke/12-16.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-20.htm">I've</a> <a href="/mark/15-43.htm">Looking</a> <a href="/luke/13-6.htm">Seeking</a> <a href="/luke/8-13.htm">Soil</a> <a href="/luke/12-38.htm">Third</a> <a href="/luke/12-52.htm">Three</a> <a href="/luke/13-6.htm">Tree</a> <a href="/mark/14-25.htm">Vine</a> <a href="/john/15-1.htm">Vinedresser</a> <a href="/luke/13-6.htm">Vineyard</a> <a href="/luke/11-17.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/mark/14-4.htm">Wasted</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/luke/23-40.htm">Actually</a> <a href="/luke/13-9.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/amos/7-14.htm">Dresser</a> <a href="/luke/21-29.htm">Fig</a> <a href="/luke/21-29.htm">Fig-Tree</a> <a href="/luke/13-24.htm">Find</a> <a href="/luke/15-4.htm">Found</a> <a href="/luke/13-9.htm">Fruit</a> <a href="/luke/13-8.htm">Gardener</a> <a href="/luke/14-18.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/genesis/30-26.htm">I've</a> <a href="/john/1-38.htm">Looking</a> <a href="/luke/19-3.htm">Seeking</a> <a href="/luke/13-19.htm">Soil</a> <a href="/luke/13-32.htm">Third</a> <a href="/luke/13-21.htm">Three</a> <a href="/luke/13-19.htm">Tree</a> <a href="/luke/22-18.htm">Vine</a> <a href="/john/15-1.htm">Vinedresser</a> <a href="/luke/20-9.htm">Vineyard</a> <a href="/luke/13-8.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/luke/15-13.htm">Wasted</a><div class="vheading2">Luke 13</div>1. <a href="/luke/13-1.htm">Jesus preaches repentance upon the punishment of the Galilaeans and others.</a> 6. <a href="/luke/13-6.htm">The fruitless fig tree may not stand.</a> 10. <a href="/luke/13-10.htm">He heals the crooked woman;</a> 18. <a href="/luke/13-18.htm">shows the powerful working of the word, by the parable of the grain of mustard seed, </a> 20. <a href="/luke/13-20.htm">and of leaven;</a> 22. <a href="/luke/13-22.htm">exhorts to enter in at the strait gate;</a> 31. <a href="/luke/13-31.htm">and reproves Herod and Jerusalem.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/luke/13.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div>So he said to the keeper of the vineyard This phrase introduces us to a parable spoken by Jesus, where the "he" refers to the owner of the vineyard. The "keeper of the vineyard" is a figure who represents those entrusted with spiritual oversight. In the historical context of ancient Israel, vineyards were common and significant, symbolizing God's people (<a href="/isaiah/5-7.htm">Isaiah 5:7</a>). The keeper, or vinedresser, is responsible for nurturing and tending to the vineyard, much like spiritual leaders are tasked with guiding and caring for the spiritual well-being of their communities.‘Look, for three years now The "three years" mentioned here is significant. In Jewish law, as found in <a href="/leviticus/19-23.htm">Leviticus 19:23-25</a>, fruit from a tree was not to be eaten during the first three years. The fourth year was considered holy, and only in the fifth year could the fruit be consumed. Thus, the three years in this parable suggest a period of patience and expectation. Spiritually, it reflects God's patience and the time He gives for repentance and fruitfulness in the lives of His people.I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree The "fig tree" is a symbol often used in Scripture to represent Israel (<a href="/hosea/9-10.htm">Hosea 9:10</a>, <a href="/jeremiah/24.htm">Jeremiah 24:1-10</a>). In this parable, the owner’s search for fruit signifies God’s desire for righteousness and spiritual fruitfulness among His people. The expectation of fruit is a recurring biblical theme, emphasizing that faith should manifest in actions and character (<a href="/galatians/5-22.htm">Galatians 5:22-23</a>).and I haven’t found any This phrase underscores the disappointment and judgment that comes from unfruitfulness. In the context of the parable, it reflects God's assessment of Israel's spiritual state at the time of Jesus. Despite the privileges and opportunities given, there was a lack of genuine repentance and righteousness. This serves as a warning to all believers about the consequences of spiritual barrenness.Cut it down! The command to "cut it down" is a stark reminder of the judgment that follows persistent unfruitfulness. In the agricultural context, a tree that does not bear fruit is seen as a waste of resources. Spiritually, it highlights the seriousness of failing to live up to God’s expectations. This echoes John the Baptist’s warning in <a href="/luke/3-9.htm">Luke 3:9</a> about the axe being laid to the root of trees that do not produce good fruit.Why should it use up the soil?&#8217 This rhetorical question emphasizes the futility of a fruitless existence. The soil represents the resources and opportunities provided by God. In a broader sense, it challenges believers to consider how they are using the gifts and grace given to them. The expectation is that these resources should lead to growth and productivity in God’s kingdom. This phrase calls for self-examination and a commitment to living a life that honors God through fruitful service and obedience.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/luke/13.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(7) Why cumbereth it the ground?--The Greek verb means more than that the fig-tree was what we call a useless burden or incumbrance, and implies positive injury. It is commonly rendered by "bring to nought," or some like phrase. (In <a href="/1_corinthians/13-8.htm" title="Charity never fails: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.">1Corinthians 13:8</a> it is rendered "fail.") This would seem, indeed, to have been the old meaning of the English verb. Comp. Shakespeare's Julius C?sar, iii. 1:--"Domestic fury, and fierce civil strife.Shall cumber all the parts of Italy."<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/luke/13.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 7. - Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none. Some expositors see in this period of three years an allusion to the storied past of Hebrew life, and in the number 3 discern the three marked epochs, each lasting several centuries, of the high priests, judges, and kings. This, however, is a very doubtful reference, owing to the impossibility of separating the first two periods of the rule of high priests and judges, as these interchange and overlap each other. Another school of interpreters sees a reference to the three years of the public ministry of Jesus. A better reference would be God's successive calls to Israel by the Law, the prophets, and by Christ. It is, however, safer, in this and m many of the Lord's parables, not to press every little detail which was necessary for the completion of the picture. Here the period of three years in which the Lord of the vineyard came seeking fruit, represents by the number 3 the symbol of complete-ness - a period of full opportunity given to the tree to have become fruitful and productive. Cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? better rendered, why doth it make the ground useless? It is an unproductive tree, and occupies the place which another and a fertile tree might fill. <a href="/commentaries/luke/13-7.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>So δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. he said εἶπεν (eipen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. to πρὸς (pros) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_4314.htm">Strong's 4314: </a> To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward. the τὸν (ton) Article - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. keeper of the vineyard, ἀμπελουργόν (ampelourgon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_289.htm">Strong's 289: </a> A vine-dresser, gardener. From ampelos and ergon; a vine-worker, i.e. Pruner. ‘Look, Ἰδοὺ (Idou) Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2400.htm">Strong's 2400: </a> See! Lo! Behold! Look! Second person singular imperative middle voice of eido; used as imperative lo! for ἀφ’ (aph’) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_575.htm">Strong's 575: </a> From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses. the past οὗ (hou) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> Who, which, what, that. three τρία (tria) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5140.htm">Strong's 5140: </a> Three. Or neuter tria a primary number; 'three'. years ἔτη (etē) Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2094.htm">Strong's 2094: </a> A year. Apparently a primary word; a year. I have come ἔρχομαι (erchomai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2064.htm">Strong's 2064: </a> To come, go. to search for ζητῶν (zētōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2212.htm">Strong's 2212: </a> To seek, search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to worship, or to plot. fruit καρπὸν (karpon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2590.htm">Strong's 2590: </a> Probably from the base of harpazo; fruit, literally or figuratively. on ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. this ταύτῃ (tautē) Demonstrative Pronoun - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. fig tree συκῇ (sykē) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4808.htm">Strong's 4808: </a> A fig-tree. From sukon; a fig-tree. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. haven’t found [any]. εὑρίσκω (heuriskō) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2147.htm">Strong's 2147: </a> A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find. Therefore οὖν (oun) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3767.htm">Strong's 3767: </a> Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly. cut it down! ἔκκοψον (ekkopson) Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1581.htm">Strong's 1581: </a> To cut out (off, away), remove, prevent. From ek and kopto; to exscind; figuratively, to frustrate. Why ἵνα‿ (hina) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2443.htm">Strong's 2443: </a> In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that. should it use up καταργεῖ (katargei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2673.htm">Strong's 2673: </a> From kata and argeo; to be entirely idle, literally or figuratively. the τὴν (tēn) Article - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. soil?’ γῆν (gēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1093.htm">Strong's 1093: </a> Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/luke/13-7.htm">Luke 13:7 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/luke/13-7.htm">Luke 13:7 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/luke/13-7.htm">Luke 13:7 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/luke/13-7.htm">Luke 13:7 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/luke/13-7.htm">Luke 13:7 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/luke/13-7.htm">Luke 13:7 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/luke/13-7.htm">Luke 13:7 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/luke/13-7.htm">Luke 13:7 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/luke/13-7.htm">Luke 13:7 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/luke/13-7.htm">Luke 13:7 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/luke/13-7.htm">NT Gospels: Luke 13:7 He said to the vine dresser 'Behold (Luke Lu Lk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/luke/13-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Luke 13:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Luke 13:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/luke/13-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Luke 13:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Luke 13:8" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>