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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 13:8 Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone again this year, until I dig around it and fertilize it.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/luke/13-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/42_Luk_13_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Luke 13:8 - The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone again this year, until I dig around it and fertilize it." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/luke/13-8.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/luke/13-8.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/luke/">Luke</a> > <a href="/luke/13.htm">Chapter 13</a> > Verse 8</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/luke/13-7.htm" title="Luke 13:7">◄</a> Luke 13:8 <a href="/luke/13-9.htm" title="Luke 13:9">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/luke/13.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/luke/13.htm">New International Version</a> &#8220&#8217Sir,&#8217 the man replied, &#8216leave it alone for one more year, and I&#8217ll dig around it and fertilize it. <a href="/nlt/luke/13.htm">New Living Translation</a> “The gardener answered, ‘Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. <a href="/esv/luke/13.htm">English Standard Version</a> And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. <a href="/bsb/luke/13.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> ‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone again this year, until I dig around it and fertilize it. <a href="/blb/luke/13.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And answering, he says to him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I shall dig around it, and put in manure, <a href="/kjv/luke/13.htm">King James Bible</a> And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: <a href="/nkjv/luke/13.htm">New King James Version</a> But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. <a href="/nasb_/luke/13.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, leave it alone for this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer; <a href="/nasb/luke/13.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220And he answered and said to him, &#8216Let it alone, sir, for this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer; <a href="/nasb77/luke/13.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “And he answered and said to him, ‘Let it alone, sir, for this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer; <a href="/lsb/luke/13.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And he answered and said to him, ‘Let it alone, sir, for this year too, until I dig around it and put in manure, <a href="/amp/luke/13.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But he replied to him, ‘Let it alone, sir, [just] one more year until I dig around it and put in fertilizer; <a href="/csb/luke/13.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “But he replied to him, ‘Sir, leave it this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. <a href="/hcsb/luke/13.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> &#8220But he replied to him, Sir, leave it this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. <a href="/asv/luke/13.htm">American Standard Version</a> And he answering saith unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: <a href="/cev/luke/13.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> The gardener answered, "Master, leave it for another year. I'll dig around it and put some manure on it to make it grow. <a href="/erv/luke/13.htm">English Revised Version</a> And he answering saith unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: <a href="/gwt/luke/13.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "The gardener replied, 'Sir, let it stand for one more year. I'll dig around it and fertilize it. <a href="/gnt/luke/13.htm">Good News Translation</a> But the gardener answered, 'Leave it alone, sir, just one more year; I will dig around it and put in some fertilizer. <a href="/isv/luke/13.htm">International Standard Version</a> But the gardener replied, 'Sir, leave it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and fertilize it. <a href="/msb/luke/13.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> ?Sir,? the man replied, ?leave it alone again this year, until I dig around it and fertilize it. <a href="/net/luke/13.htm">NET Bible</a> But the worker answered him, 'Sir, leave it alone this year too, until I dig around it and put fertilizer on it. <a href="/nheb/luke/13.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> He answered, 'Lord, leave it alone this year also, until I dig around it, and fertilize it. <a href="/wbt/luke/13.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And he answering, said to him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: <a href="/wey/luke/13.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "But the gardener pleaded, "'Leave it, Sir, this year also, till I have dug round it and manured it. <a href="/web/luke/13.htm">World English Bible</a> He answered, ‘Lord, leave it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/luke/13.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And he answering says to him, Lord, permit it also this year, until I may dig around it, and cast in dung; <a href="/blb/luke/13.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And answering, he says to him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I shall dig around it, and put in manure, <a href="/ylt/luke/13.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 'And he answering saith to him, Sir, suffer it also this year, till that I may dig about it, and cast in dung; <a href="/slt/luke/13.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he having answered says to him, Lord, let it go also this year, till I shall dig round it, and cast dung:<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/luke/13.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But he answering, said to him: Lord, let it alone this year also, until I dig about it, and dung it. <a href="/cpdv/luke/13.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But in response, he said to him: ‘Lord, let it be for this year also, during which time I will dig around it and add fertilizer. <a href="/nabre/luke/13.htm">New American Bible</a> He said to him in reply, ‘Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; <a href="/nrsvce/luke/13.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/luke/13.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> The laborer said to him, My lord, let it remain this year also, until I work it and fertilize it. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/luke/13.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> The cultivator said to him, 'My Lord, leave it also this year, while I shall cultivate it and I shall manure it',<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/luke/13.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> But he answered and said to him, Sir, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and throw in manure; <a href="/godbey/luke/13.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>And responding he says to him, Lord, let it alone also this year, until I shall dig about it, and cast manures:<Fr> <a href="/haweis/luke/13.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> He answering said to him, Sir, let it e?en remain this year, until that I dig around it, and spread some manure: <a href="/mace/luke/13.htm">Mace New Testament</a> to which he made answer, sir, let it alone one year longer, till I shall dig about it, and dung it. <a href="/wey/luke/13.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "But the gardener pleaded, "'Leave it, Sir, this year also, till I have dug round it and manured it. <a href="/worrell/luke/13.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>But he, answering, says to him, 'Lord, leave it this year also, until I dig about it, and cast in fertilizers.<Fr> <a href="/worsley/luke/13.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>And he said to him, Sir, let it alone this year also, till I dig about it, and lay dung <Fr>to it: <a href="/parallel/luke/13-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3-5_0Jtd9Lc?start=5566" 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> …7So 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?’ 8<a href="/greek/2962.htm" title="2962: Kyrie (N-VMS) -- Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.">‘Sir,’</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/611.htm" title="611: apokritheis (V-APP-NMS) -- From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak."></a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legei (V-PIA-3S) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">the man replied,</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- 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/863.htm" title="863: aphes (V-AMA-2S) -- From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications.">‘leave it alone</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/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">again</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: touto (DPro-ANS) -- This; he, she, it. ">this</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2094.htm" title="2094: etos (N-ANS) -- A year. Apparently a primary word; a year.">year,</a> <a href="/greek/2193.htm" title="2193: heōs (Prep) -- A conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until.">until</a> <a href="/greek/3755.htm" title="3755: hotou (RelPro-GMS) -- Until. For the genitive case of hostis; during which same time, i.e. Whilst."></a> <a href="/greek/4626.htm" title="4626: skapsō (V-ASA-1S) -- To dig, excavate. Apparently a primary verb; to dig.">I dig</a> <a href="/greek/4012.htm" title="4012: peri (Prep) -- From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.">around</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.">it</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/906.htm" title="906: balō (V-ASA-1S) -- (a) I cast, throw, rush, (b) often, in the weaker sense: I place, put, drop. A primary verb; to throw."></a> <a href="/greek/2874.htm" title="2874: kopria (N-ANP) -- Manure; a dung-hill. From kopros; manure.">fertilize it.</a> 9If it bears fruit next year, fine. But if not, you can cut it down.’ ”…<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="/john/15-1.htm">John 15:1-8</a> “I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard. / 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. / You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ... <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="/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="/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="/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="/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="/john/15-16.htm">John 15:16</a> You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will remain—so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. <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="/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="/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="/mark/11-12.htm">Mark 11:12-14</a> The next day, when they had left Bethany, Jesus was hungry. / 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="/ezekiel/15-1.htm">Ezekiel 15:1-8</a> Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, / “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? ... <a href="/galatians/5-22.htm">Galatians 5:22-23</a> But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, / gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. <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="/hebrews/6-7.htm">Hebrews 6:7-8</a> For land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is tended receives the blessing of God. / But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless, and its curse is imminent. In the end it will be burned.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And he answering said to him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:Lord, let.<a href="/exodus/32-11.htm">Exodus 32:11-13,30-32</a> And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? … <a href="/exodus/34-9.htm">Exodus 34:9</a> And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.<a href="/numbers/14-11.htm">Numbers 14:11-20</a> And the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them? … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/10-40.htm">Alone</a> <a href="/luke/10-34.htm">Animal</a> <a href="/luke/12-58.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/matthew/6-20.htm">Dig</a> <a href="/luke/12-39.htm">Dug</a> <a href="/malachi/2-3.htm">Dung</a> <a href="/luke/12-56.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/zechariah/6-12.htm">Fertile</a> <a href="/luke/13-7.htm">Gardener</a> <a href="/luke/9-60.htm">Leave</a> <a href="/ezekiel/4-15.htm">Manure</a> <a href="/luke/7-4.htm">Pleaded</a> <a href="/luke/12-37.htm">Round</a> <a href="/luke/12-41.htm">Sir</a> <a href="/luke/12-39.htm">Suffer</a> <a href="/luke/13-7.htm">Waste</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/luke/18-19.htm">Alone</a> <a href="/acts/28-5.htm">Animal</a> <a href="/luke/13-19.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/luke/16-3.htm">Dig</a> <a href="/romans/11-3.htm">Dug</a> <a href="/luke/14-35.htm">Dung</a> <a href="/luke/16-17.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/romans/11-17.htm">Fertile</a> <a href="/john/15-1.htm">Gardener</a> <a href="/luke/13-31.htm">Leave</a> <a href="/luke/14-35.htm">Manure</a> <a href="/luke/14-19.htm">Pleaded</a> <a href="/luke/14-10.htm">Round</a> <a href="/luke/13-23.htm">Sir</a> <a href="/luke/17-25.htm">Suffer</a> <a href="/luke/13-35.htm">Waste</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> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/13.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/luke/13.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>‘Sir,’ the man replied, In this parable, the "man" is the vinedresser or gardener, representing Jesus Christ as the intercessor. The term "Sir" indicates respect and authority, suggesting the owner of the vineyard is God the Father. This reflects the relationship between God and Jesus, where Jesus intercedes on behalf of humanity.‘leave it alone again this year, The request to "leave it alone" signifies a plea for patience and mercy. The fig tree, often a symbol for Israel (<a href="/hosea/9-10.htm">Hosea 9:10</a>), represents the nation or individuals who are not bearing fruit. The additional year symbolizes God's grace period, offering more time for repentance and spiritual growth. This reflects God's long-suffering nature and desire for all to come to repentance (<a href="/2_peter/3-9.htm">2 Peter 3:9</a>).until I dig around it The act of digging around the tree suggests a proactive effort to improve its condition. Spiritually, this can be seen as the work of the Holy Spirit and the teachings of Christ, which aim to break up the hard ground of human hearts (<a href="/jeremiah/4-3.htm">Jeremiah 4:3</a>). It implies the need for introspection and the removal of obstacles that hinder spiritual growth.and fertilize it. Fertilizing represents the nourishment provided by God's Word and the Holy Spirit. Just as fertilizer enriches the soil, the teachings of Jesus and the guidance of the Holy Spirit enrich believers' lives, encouraging them to bear fruit (<a href="/galatians/5-22.htm">Galatians 5:22-23</a>). This highlights the importance of spiritual sustenance and the transformative power of divine intervention.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_vineyard_owner.htm">The Vineyard Owner</a> Represents God, who is just and expects fruitfulness from His creation. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_fig_tree.htm">The Fig Tree</a> Symbolizes Israel or an individual believer, expected to bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_gardener.htm">The Gardener</a> Represents Jesus or a mediator, who intercedes on behalf of the unfruitful, advocating for patience and additional care. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_vineyard.htm">The Vineyard</a> A metaphor for the world or the community of believers, where growth and fruitfulness are expected. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_event_of_intercession.htm">The Event of Intercession</a> The gardener's plea for more time reflects God's patience and mercy, offering a chance for repentance and growth.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_patience_and_mercy.htm">God's Patience and Mercy</a> God is patient and merciful, giving us time to repent and bear fruit. We should not take His patience for granted but use it as an opportunity for spiritual growth. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_intercession.htm">The Role of Intercession</a> Just as the gardener intercedes for the fig tree, Jesus intercedes for us. We are called to intercede for others, praying for their spiritual growth and repentance. <a href="/topical/t/the_expectation_of_fruitfulness.htm">The Expectation of Fruitfulness</a> God expects us to bear fruit in our lives. This involves cultivating the fruits of the Spirit and living a life that reflects His character. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_spiritual_nourishment.htm">The Importance of Spiritual Nourishment</a> Just as the gardener plans to dig and fertilize the tree, we need to nourish our spiritual lives through prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers. <a href="/topical/u/urgency_of_repentance.htm">Urgency of Repentance</a> The additional year given to the fig tree is not indefinite. We must recognize the urgency of repentance and not delay in turning back to God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_luke_13.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Luke 13</a> <a href="/q/who_was_baruch_in_the_bible.htm">Why did Jesus perform healings on the Sabbath?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_unfailing_love.htm">What are the different types of demons?</a> <a href="/q/how_did_women_fund_jesus_despite_norms.htm">(Luke 8:1-3) How do we reconcile the mention of women financially supporting Jesus with the cultural norms that generally limited women's economic roles in that era?</a> <a href="/q/what_trials_faced_adam_and_eve_post-eden.htm">What trials did Adam and Eve face after Eden?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/luke/13.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) And dung it.--Literally, and put dung. Homely as the imagery is, it suggests fertilising and gracious influences not less vividly than the dew or rain from heaven, and points, perhaps, specifically to such as are working on us in our earthly surroundings, as contrasted with the directly supernatural action of God's grace.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/luke/13.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 8. - And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it. The last year - the year of grace they who listened to him then were living in. It was the last summons to repentance, the final reminder to the old covenant people that to their high privileges as the chosen race there were duties attached. They prided themselves on the privileges, they utterly forgot the duties. The period represented by this last year included the preaching of John the Baptist, the public ministry of Jesus Christ, and the forty years of apostolic teaching which followed the Crucifixion and Resurrection. The last chance was given, but in the Vinedresser's prayer to the Lord of the vineyard there is scarcely a ray of hope. The history of the world supplies the sequel to this parable-story. <a href="/commentaries/luke/13-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>‘Sir,’ Κύριε (Kyrie) Noun - Vocative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2962.htm">Strong's 2962: </a> Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master. [the man] replied, λέγει (legei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ‘leave it alone ἄφες (aphes) Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_863.htm">Strong's 863: </a> From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications. again καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. this τοῦτο (touto) Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. year, ἔτος (etos) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2094.htm">Strong's 2094: </a> A year. Apparently a primary word; a year. until ἕως (heōs) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_2193.htm">Strong's 2193: </a> A conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until. I dig σκάψω (skapsō) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4626.htm">Strong's 4626: </a> To dig, excavate. Apparently a primary verb; to dig. around περὶ (peri) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_4012.htm">Strong's 4012: </a> From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time. it αὐτὴν (autēn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Feminine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. fertilize [it]. κόπρια (kopria) Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2874.htm">Strong's 2874: </a> Manure; a dung-hill. From kopros; manure. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/luke/13-8.htm">Luke 13:8 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/luke/13-8.htm">Luke 13:8 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/luke/13-8.htm">Luke 13:8 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/luke/13-8.htm">Luke 13:8 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/luke/13-8.htm">Luke 13:8 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/luke/13-8.htm">Luke 13:8 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/luke/13-8.htm">Luke 13:8 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/luke/13-8.htm">Luke 13:8 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/luke/13-8.htm">Luke 13:8 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/luke/13-8.htm">Luke 13:8 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/luke/13-8.htm">NT Gospels: Luke 13:8 He answered 'Lord leave it alone this (Luke Lu Lk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/luke/13-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Luke 13:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Luke 13:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/luke/13-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Luke 13:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Luke 13:9" /></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>