What Is the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree?
What Is the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree? Jesus told of a fig tree given one more year to bear fruit before being cut down—illustrating God's patience and the urgency of repentance.
Key verse: Luke 13:8-9 (KJV)
Jesus told of a fig tree given one more year to bear fruit before being cut down—illustrating God's patience and the urgency of repentance.
Jesus told of a fig tree given one more year to bear fruit before being cut down—illustrating God's patience and the urgency of repentance.
"And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down." — Luke 13:8-9 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
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The Biblical Answer
In Luke 13:6-9, Jesus told of a man who had a fig tree planted in his vineyard. For three years it produced no fruit, so he told the keeper to cut it down. The keeper asked for one more year to tend it, promising to dig around it and fertilize it. If it still bore no fruit, then it would be cut down. This parable illustrates God's patience with those who are spiritually unfruitful—He gives time for repentance and provides every opportunity for growth. But patience has a limit, and persistent fruitlessness will eventually result in judgment. It urges hearers to respond to God's grace while there is still time.
Topic Overview
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Key Scripture References
"And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down."
"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."
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Deep Dive Commentary
For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:
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The answer above sits inside Luke. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Luke on day 294 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “What Is the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
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