Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Luke 13:7
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 encumbereth it the ground?
7. unto the dresser of his vineyard ] It seems clear that in the truth which the parable shadows forth, Christ corresponds to the vine-dresser, and Jehovah to the owner (Isa 5:7). Some however prefer to see in the vine-dresser the Holy Spirit as Intercessor.
Behold, these three years ] Many suppose an allusion to the length up to this time of our Lord’s ministry. Others explain it of the periods of the Judges, Kings, and High Priests. It is very doubtful how far these lesser details which are essential to the colouring of the parable are intended to be pressed.
cut it down ] at once as the tense implies (Mat 3:10; Joh 15:2 ). It was fulfilled in the rejection of Israel (Rom 11:22 ).
why cumbereth it the ground?
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The dresser of his vineyard – The man whose duty it was to trim the vines and take care of his vineyard.
These three years – These words are not to be referred to the time which Christ had been preaching the gospel, as if he meant to specify the exact period. They mean, as applicable to the vineyard, that the owner had been a long time expecting fruit on the tree. For three successive years he had been disappointed. In his view it was long enough to show that the tree was barren and would yield no fruit, and that therefore it should be cut down.
Why cumbereth it the ground? – The word cumber here means to render barren or sterile. By taking up the juices of the earth, this useless tree rendered the ground sterile, and prevented the growth of the neighboring vines. It was not merely useless, but was doing mischief, which may be said of all sinners and all hypocritical professors of religion. Dr. Thomson (The Land and the Book, vol. i. p. 539) says of the barren fig-tree: There are many such trees now; and if the ground is not properly cultivated, especially when the trees are young – as the one of the parable was, for only three years are mentioned they do not bear at all; and even when full grown they quickly fail, and wither away if neglected. Those who expect to gather good crops of well-flavored figs are particularly attentive to their culture – not only plow and dig about them frequently, and manure them plentifully, but they carefully gather out the stones from the orchards, contrary to their general slovenly habits.
This parable is to be taken in connection with what goes before, and with our Saviours calling the Jewish nation to repentance. It was spoken to illustrate the dealings of God with them, and their own wickedness under all his kindness, and we may understand the different parts of the parable as designed to represent:
- God, by the man who owned the vineyard.
- The vineyard as the Jewish people.
- The coming of the owner for fruit, the desire of God that they should produce good works.
- The barrenness of the tree, the wickedness of the people.
- The dresser was perhaps intended to denote the Saviour and the other messengers of God, pleading that God would spare the Jews, and save them from their enemies that stood ready to destroy them, as soon as God should permit.
- His waiting denotes the delay of vengeance, to give them an opportunity of repentance. And,
- The remark of the dresser that he might then cut it down, denotes the acquiescence of all in the belief that such a judgment would be just.
We may also remark that God treats sinners in this manner now; that he spares them long; that he gives them opportunities of repentance; that many live but to cumber the ground; that they are not only useless to the church, but pernicious to the world; that in due time, when they are fairly tried, they shall be cut down; and that the universe will bow to the awful decree of God, and say that their damnation is just.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 7. Behold these three years] From this circumstance in the parable, it may be reasonably concluded that Jesus had been, at the time of saying this, exercising his ministry for three years past; and, from what is said in Lu 13:8, of letting it alone this year also, it may be concluded likewise that this parable was spoken about a year before Christ’s crucifixion; and, if both these conclusions are reasonable, we may thence infer that this parable was not spoken at the time which appears to be assigned to it, and that the whole time of Christ’s public ministry was about four years. See Bishop Pearce. But it has already been remarked that St. Luke never studies chronological arrangement. See the Preface to this Gospel.
Why cumbereth it the ground?] Or, in other words, Why should the ground be also useless? The tree itself brings forth no fruit; let it be cut down that a more profitable one may be planted in its place. Cut it down. The Codex Bezae has added here, , Bring the axe and cut it down. If this reading be genuine, it is doubtless an allusion to Mt 3:10: Now the axe lieth at the root of the trees. If the writer has added it on his own authority, he probably referred to the place above mentioned. See the note on the above text.
There is something very like this in the , or De Re Rustica of the ancient Greek writers on agriculture. I refer to cap. 83 of lib. x., p. 773; edit. Niclas, entitled, , How to make a barren tree fruitful. Having girded yourself, and tied up your garments, take a bipen or axe, and with an angry mind approach the tree as if about to cut it down. Then let some person come forward and deprecate the cutting down of the tree, making himself responsible for its future fertility. Then, seem to be appeased, and so spare the tree, and afterwards it will yield fruit in abundance. “Bean straw (manure of that material,) scattered about the roots of the tree, will make it fruitful.” That a similar superstition prevailed among the Asiatics, Michaelis proves from the Cosmographer Ibn Alvardi, who prescribes the following as the mode to render a sterile palm tree fruitful: “The owner, armed with an axe, having an attendant with him, approaches the tree, and says, I must cut this tree down, because it is unfruitful. Let it alone, I beseech thee, says the other, and this year it will bring forth fruit. The owner immediately strikes it thrice with the back of his axe; but the other preventing him says, I beseech thee to spare it, and I will be answerable for its fertility. Then the tree becomes abundantly fruitful.” Does not our Lord refer to such a custom?
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
7. three yearsa long enoughtrial for a fig tree, and so denoting probably just a sufficientperiod of culture for spiritual fruit. The supposed allusion to theduration of our Lord’s ministry is precarious.
cut it downindignantlanguage.
cumberethnot onlydoing no good, but wasting ground.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Then said he unto the dresser of the vineyard,…. If by the owner of the vineyard is meant God the Father, then by the dresser of the vineyard Jesus Christ is intended; but as he seems rather designed by the owner, the vinedresser, or “the gardeners”, as the Persic version reads, in the plural number, may signify the ministers of the word, to whom Christ, who is Solomon’s antitype, lets out his vineyard to dress and cultivate it, and to keep the fruit of it; see So 8:11,
behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none; or “behold, there are three years since I came”; so read the Vulgate Latin and Persic versions, and Beza’s most ancient copy. Some think Christ here refers to the three years of his public ministry, which he had now gone through among the Jews with little success; but he seems rather to allude to the nature of fig trees, which, if fruitful, bear in three years time; for even
, “a sort of white figs”, which are the longest before they bring forth fruit to perfection, yet their fruit is ripe in three years time. These trees bear fruit once in three years; they bear fruit indeed every year, but their fruit does not come to maturity till after three years i; and this may be the reason why this number is fixed upon; for if such fig trees do not bring forth ripe fruit in three years time, there is little reason to expect any from them: and thus it was time after time with the Jewish nation; and so it is with carnal professors: hence it follows,
cut it down, why cumbereth it the ground? or “that it may not cumber”; or “render the ground useless”, as read the Arabic version, and one of Beza’s copies; for unfruitful trees suck up the juices of the earth, and draw away nourishment from other trees that are near them, and so make the earth barren, and not only hurt other trees, but stand in the way and place of fruitful ones; and therefore it is best to cut them down. So barren professors, as were the Jews, are not only useless and unprofitable themselves, being fruitless, but make churches barren, and stand in the way of others, who are stumbled by them; they are grieving to God, to Christ, and to the blessed Spirit, and are troublesome and burdensome to churches, ministers, and true believers: and the cutting them down may regard the judgment of God upon the nation of the Jews, which Christ would not have his apostles and ministers interpose for the averting of; or the excommunication of such worthless and hurtful professors out of the churches by them.
i T. Hieros. Sheviith, fol. 35. 4. Jarchi, Maimon. & Bartenora in Misn. Demai, c. 1. sect. 1. & Sheviith, c. 5. sect. 1.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The vinedresser ( ). Old word, but here only in the N.T., from , vine, and , work.
These three years I come ( ‘ ). Literally, “three years since (from which time) I come.” These three years, of course, have nothing to do with the three years of Christ’s public ministry. The three years are counted from the time when the fig tree would normally be expected to bear, not from the time of planting. The Jewish nation is meant by this parable of the barren fig tree. In the withering of the barren fig tree later at Jerusalem we see parable changed to object lesson or fact (Mark 11:12-14; Matt 21:18).
Cut it down (). “Cut it out,” the Greek has it, out of the vineyard, perfective use of with the effective aorist active imperative of , where we prefer “down.”
Why? ( ). Ellipsis here of of which is subject (Robertson, Grammar, pp. 739,916).
Also (). Besides bearing no fruit.
Doth cumber the ground ( ). Makes the ground completely idle, of no use (, , from , privative and , work). Late verb, here only in the N.T. except in Paul’s Epistles.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
These three years I come. The best texts insert ajf ou=, from which, or since. “It is three years from the time at which I came.”
Cut it down [] . Rather, “cut it out” [] from among the other trees and the vines.
Why cumbereth it. The A. V. omits the very important kai, also (Rev.), which, as Trench observes, is the key – word of the sentence. Besides being barren in itself, it also injures the soil. “Not only is it unfruitful, but it draws away the juices which the vines would extract from the earth, intercepts the sun, and occupies room” (Bengel). The verb cumbereth [] means to make of no effect. So Rom 3:3, 31; Gal 3:17. Cumbereth expresses the meaning in a very general and comprehensive way. The specific elements included in it are expressed by Bengel above. De Wette, makes the land unfruitful. See on barren and unfruitful, 2Pe 1:8.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard,” (eipen de pros ton ampelourgon) “Then he said directly to, confronting the vine dresser,” who attended the trees; The dresser was His Son Jesus Christ, who came in mercy, to seek and to save, Joh 3:17; Luk 19:10.
2) “Behold, these three years,” (idou tria ete) “Behold three years,” the time of his having witnessed to them, in succession; Some believe this to correspond with the three years of our Lord’s previous ministry during which He sought spiritual fruit and found none among the priests and rabbis and synagogue rulers.
3) “I come seeking fruit on this fig tree,” (aph’ ou erchomai zeton karpon en te suke taute) “Have passed since I came seeking fruit in this fig tree, beginning at His entrance into His home synagogue at Nazareth on the sabbath day. He returned there following His baptism, Luk 4:16-27. It was adequate time for fruitbearing.
4) “And find none:” (kai ouch heuriskeo) “And find not,” any fruit either of the three years, from that day He declared Himself to be the Messiah, and they tried to kill Him, Luk 4:29-30; Isa 61:1-2.
5) “Cut It down;” (ekkopson auten) “Just cut it down,” or destroy it, as a non-productive tree, Joh 15:2; Exo 32:10; Exo 32:14.
6) “Why cumbereth it the ground?” (kenati kai ten gen katargei) “Why let it spoil the ground?” He spoke with indignation; occupy a place and use soil and water a producing tree might use, Mat 7:19-20.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(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 1Co. 13:8 it is rendered fail.) This would seem, indeed, to have been the old meaning of the English verb. Comp. Shakespeares Julius Csar, iii. 1:
Domestic fury, and fierce civil strife.
Shall cumber all the parts of Italy.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
7. Behold these three years The fig produces within this period after planting. This is applied by some to represent the period of the Lord’s ministry. If so the nation was allowed to survive near forty years after the voice of the intercessor had surrendered and ceased on earth.
I come This is a verb of continuity. During the whole three years again and again have I been coming. The visits of God are secret and unrecognized, though they be ever recurring. Our fruitfulness, our barrenness, our production of the wild poison fruit, all take place beneath his watchful but patient eye.
Seeking fruit The master seeks, and seeks from season to season. There may be no fruit; there may be leaves; there may be the leafless branch; in either case he departs in sorrowful disappointment.
Cumbereth the ground Renders the ground barren, absorbing the virtue of the soil only to abuse it. For the sinner can never sin by omission alone. He will commit positive sin, and produce positive evil and destruction.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
“And he said to the vinedresser, Behold, these three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and have found none. Cut it down. Why does it also act as a burden on the ground?”
It appears that the owner had given it three years in order to see if its fruitless condition was permanent. He wanted to give it every opportunity. But when it still proved to be fruitless he called on the vinedresser to cut it down and prevent it from filling up useful space where another tree could be planted and from taking the nutrients out of the ground to no purpose.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Luk 13:7. Behold, these three years I come See how long I have waited, even three years past, in vain, and still this fig-tree is entirely barren: cut it down; why should it any longer take up the place of better plants, and draw away the fructifying juices of my ground, which might be profitable to other trees? Though this parable was originally meant of the Jews, it may be applied to men in every age; for it exhibits a law observed in the divine administration, which should strike terror into all who enjoy spiritual privileges, without improving them. Every man is allowed a certain time of trial, during which he enjoys the means and helps necessary to holiness. If he continues ignorant of God’s visitation, despises the riches of the divine mercy, and goes on obstinately in sin, these advantages are frequently taken away from him, his day of grace ends; the utmost term of God’s patience is past for ever; the divine spirit being grieved, is provoked to depart, and the man is delivered over to a hardened heart.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
DISCOURSE: 1534
THE BARREN FIG-TREE
Luk 13:7-9. 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? 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.
PERSONS, who can least bear a scrutiny themselves, are apt to pass the severest censures upon others. But we can never form a just estimate of mens characters from the dispensations of Providence towards them; nor, though our conclusions were more certain, would it become us to place ourselves on the seat of judgment: we are far more concerned to prepare for the account which we ourselves must render unto God. Such was the advice which our Lord gave to his censorious hearers: he bade them repent of their own sins instead of presuming to judge others [Note: ver. 15.], and enforced his admonition with an apposite and instructive parable. We shall inquire,
I.
In what respects we resemble a barren fig-tree?
Humiliating as the comparison before us is, it is but too just. We have enjoyed every advantage that could conduce to fruitfulness
[The fig-tree is represented as planted in a vineyard where the soil was good, and every attention was paid to it. Thus we have not been left in the open field of the heathen world: we have been planted in the enclosed vineyard of Gods Church. His word and ordinances have been regularly administered to us: we have participated both the stated and occasional labours of his ministers; nor has any thing been wanting which could render us fruitful. God may appeal respecting us, as he did respecting his Church of old: What could I have done more for them than I have done [Note: Isa 5:4.]?]
Yet notwithstanding all our advantages, we have hitherto been found barren
[For three successive years was the fig-tree destitute of fruit: and have not we been barren a much longer time? The fruits which God expects are repentance, faith, and obedience [Note: Mat 3:8. Luk 18:8 and Php 1:11.]: but have we mourned over our sins with deep contrition? Have we fled to Christ as the only refuge and hope of lost sinners? Have we presented ourselves to him a holy and living sacrifice? Has it been the labour and ambition of our souls to abound in these fruits? Have we not even to this hour been barren and unfruitful in the knowledge of Christ?Have we not rather, as cumberers of the ground, been prejudicial to those around us? Have not those who have been planted near us, reason to complain that they have been retarded by us, rather than furthered, in the spiritual life? Surely too many of us deserve the name once given to Israel of old [Note: Hos 10:1.]; Israel is an empty vine, (a barren fig-tree,) that bringeth forth fruit to itself alone, and none at all to God.]
We may justly wonder therefore that we are suffered to occupy our respective places, and inquire,
II.
Whence it is that, notwithstanding our unfruitfulness, we have been spared to this time?
We are not spared because our state is inoffensive to God
[The owner of the vineyard noticed all the pains bestowed on the fig-tree, and felt his disappointment greater every successive year: hence he spake of its unfruitfulness with astonishment and indignation [Note: BeholdWhy, &c. convey these ideas very forcibly.]. And must not the heavenly vine-dresser wonder, that in the midst of so many advantages we remain unfruitful? And has he not declared that unprofitable servants are objects of his utter abhorrence [Note: Mat 25:26; Mat 25:30.].]
Much less are we spared because we are better than others
[Doubtless there are degrees of sinfulness and guilt: as among men, so in the sight of God, there are some worse than others. But what good can be in him who answers no one end of his creation? The description given of such persons by the prophet is strictly just [Note: Eze 15:2-4.]. (There is scarcely any thing in the creation so worthless as the wood of a barren vine.) And to them may be addressed those humiliating words of Moses; Not for your sakes have these mercies been vouchsafed to you; for ye are a stiff-necked people [Note: Deu 9:4-6.].]
The intercession of Christ is the true reason of Gods forbearance towards us
[The fig-tree was spared only at the request of the vinedresser. The order given would certainly have been executed, if he had not obtained a respite: and little do we think how often death has had a commission to cut us down. Surely our continued provocations must often have incensed our God against us: but, as in former times, he often revoked his word at the urgent request of his servant Moses; [Note: Exo 32:10-11; Exo 32:14.] so beyond a doubt has the Psalmists declaration been often verified in our great Advocate and Intercessor, He has stood in the gap, to turn away Gods indignation, lest he should destroy us [Note: Psa 106:23.].]
The respite however which is yet prolonged, will not last for ever. Know therefore,
III.
What doom we must expect if we still continue barren
God will deal with every man according to his works. If now at last we begin to bear fruit it will be well
[The vine-dresser undertook to bestow still greater culture on the fig-tree, and intimated that, if his labours should succeed, it would be a source of much satisfaction to him. But how much more is this true in reference to our souls! At this moment we may consider the trench digging, and the manure applied to us. And what a source of comfort will it be, if these means be blessed with success! The owner of the vineyard, the dresser of it, yea, and the inferior labourers too, will greatly rejoice [Note: Luk 15:5-7; Luk 15:10.]. And what a blessing will it be to the tree itself! Instead of being cut down as useless, we shall be an ornament to the vineyard; nor will God himself disdain to regale himself with our fruit [Note: Son 4:10.]. In due season, too, we shall be transplanted to that richer vineyard above, and bring forth fruit to Gods glory for evermore. Yes, our past unfruitfulness should be no obstruction to our bliss; but joy and honour shall be our everlasting portion.]
But if the culture be still in vain, we must be speedily cut down
[The intercessor himself approved of this in reference to the fig-tree: and can any thing else be expected by those whom the Gospel does not profit? Can any think that they shall be left to cumber the ground for ever? Must not even the patience of God himself be at last exhausted? Shall He not ere long definitively say, Cut them down? Must we not then be consigned over to everlasting burnings? And must not our Intercessor, yea, our own souls also, approve the sentence? Let every one then attend to the warning given to the antediluvian world, My Spirit shall not alway strive with man [Note: Gen 6:3.]: and let not one amongst us defer till the morrow, what, if left undone, must involve him in everlasting ruin.]
Infer
1.
How thankful should we be to our great Advocate and Intercessor!
[Many since the last year have been cut off by death. What a mercy should we esteem it that we have been spared! How dreadful must our state have now been if we had been taken unprepared! We should have been irrevocably doomed to dwell with the fallen angels; nor should we ever have heard one more offer of mercy from our offended God. Let us then bless and adore our Lord for this distinguishing favour; and let his love constrain us to turn unto him with our whole hearts [Note: 2Pe 1:5-8.].]
2.
How earnest should we be in improving the present moment!
[Many are dead who lately seemed as likely to live as ourselves: but, when their time was come, they could not resist the stroke of death; nor can any who are now alive, tell how long a respite shall be granted them. It is probable that many of us will be gone before the expiration of this year [Note: Perhaps one in thirty or forty.]; and whenever the fixed period shall arrive, all intercessions will be in vain. Let us then redeem the time with all earnestness and zeal, and accomplish the great work, before the night cometh to terminate our labours.]
Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)
7 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?
Ver. 7. Cut it down ] Trees that are not for fruit are for the fire. God will lay down his basket and take up his axe. He will not always serve men for a sinning stock.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
7. ] I have little doubt (against Bleek, alli [91] .) that an allusion is intended to the three years of our Lord’s ministry . The objection to this, that the cutting down ought then to have taken place at the end of , does not apply; for all is left indefinite in the request and the implied answer. In the individual application, many thousands did bear fruit this very year; and of those who did not, who shall say when the Spirit ceased pleading with them, and the final sentence went forth?
[91] alli= some cursive mss.
. . . ] Why, besides bearing no fruit, is it impoverishing the soil [rendering the neighbouring ground useless] ?
Luk 13:7 . , the vine-dresser ( , ) here only in N.T. , lo! as of one who has a right to complain. , three years, reckoned not from the planting of the tree (it is three years after planting that it begins to bear fruit), but from the time that it might have been expected in ordinary course to yield a crop of figs. Three years is not a long period, but enough to determine whether it is going to be fruit-bearing, the one thing it is there for. In the spiritual sphere in national life that cannot be determined to soon. It may take as many thousand years. , I keep coming, the progressive present. The master comes not merely once a year, but again and again within the year, at the seasons when fruit may be found on a fig tree (Hahn). Cf. in Luk 15:29 . , I do not find it. I come and come and am always disappointed. Hence the impatient , cut it out (from the root). : points to a second ground of complaint. Besides bearing no fruit it occupies space which might be more profitably filled. (here and in Paul’s epistles), renders useless; Vulgate, occupat , practically if not verbally the right rendering. A barren fig tree renders the land useless by occupying valuable space.
unto. Greek. pros. App-104.
dresser of vineyard. One word in Greek. Occurs only here. Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6.
these three years. Can refer only to the period of the Lord’s ministry. The texts add aph’ hou = from which, or since (three years). on. Greek. en. App-104.
cut it down = cut it out: i.e. from among the vines.
cumbereth it the ground = injureth it the soil also. The Authorized Version omits this “also”, though it stands in the Greek text.
cumbereth. Greek. katargeo. Only here in the Gospels. Twenty-five times in the Epistles in the sense of vitiate. See Rom 3:3.
7. ] I have little doubt (against Bleek, alli[91].) that an allusion is intended to the three years of our Lords ministry. The objection to this, that the cutting down ought then to have taken place at the end of , does not apply; for all is left indefinite in the request and the implied answer. In the individual application, many thousands did bear fruit this very year; and of those who did not, who shall say when the Spirit ceased pleading with them, and the final sentence went forth?
[91] alli= some cursive mss.
. . .] Why, besides bearing no fruit, is it impoverishing the soil [rendering the neighbouring ground useless]?
Luk 13:7. , three) A number in some measure decisive and determinate. The Lord was beginning His third year of teaching, as the true harmony of the Evangelists shows.-, I come) An abbreviated expression, as in ch. Luk 15:29, , these so many years I (have served and still) serve thee.-, cut it off [down]) (Great, severity (stern strictness in punishing) is expressed in this word: as also there is implied the great power of the , Vine-dresser.- , why even [not expressed in the Engl. Vers.]) Not only is it of no use, but it even draws off the juices, which the vines would otherwise extract (suck) out of the earth, and intercepts the suns rays; and it takes up valuable room.
three: Lev 19:23, Lev 25:21, Rom 2:4, Rom 2:5
cut: Luk 3:9, Exo 32:10, Dan 4:14, Mat 3:10, Mat 7:19, Joh 15:2, Joh 15:6
why: Exo 32:10, Mat 3:9
Reciprocal: Deu 20:19 – thou shalt not Jdg 9:11 – General Ecc 11:3 – if the tree Son 2:13 – fig tree Son 6:11 – to see the Isa 5:2 – he looked Eze 24:13 – because Hos 6:4 – what 2Ti 1:10 – abolished Heb 6:8 – beareth
7
The dresser of the vineyard is Christ to whom God announced his determination of destroying the nation, meaning he would disown it.
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?
Behold, these three years I come, etc.] there was no tree that was of a kind to bear fruit might lightly and upon every small occasion be cut down, that law providing against it in Deu 20:19-20; where the Pesikta observes that there is both an affirmative and also a negative command, by which it is the more forbidden that any tree of that kind should be cut down, unless upon a very indispensable occasion. “Rabh saith, ‘Cut not down the palm that bears a cab of dates.’ They urge, ‘And what of the olive, that that should not be cut down?’ ‘If it bear but the fourth part of a cab.’ R. Chaninah said, My son Shibchah had not died, had he not cut down a fig-tree before its time.”
Luk 13:7. Vine-dresser. The cultivator of the vineyard.
These three years. The planted tree would ordinarily bear within three years. Whatever be the special interpretation, this period indicates that fruit is not demanded too soon. Three years are the time of a full trial, at the end of which the inference of incurable sterility may be drawn. (Godet) Some refer this to the three years of our Lords ministry, now so nearly ended. But the time is uncertain (see above).
Why also, besides bearing no fruit, cumbereth it the ground? Why is it allowed to impoverish the soil, and interfere with the other products of the vineyard. Barrenness curses others also.
13:7 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 {c} cumbereth it the ground?
(c) Make the ground barren in that part which is otherwise good for vines.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Fuente: Lightfoot Commentary Gospels
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes