What is everybody's thoughts on this parable? I'd like to take it deeper and get your thoughts the characters and objects in the parable as well(ex: what does the ground signify?).
Luke 13:6-9
King James Version (KJV)
6 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.
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?
8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
Believe me i'm taking a guess on this one, could compromise you the depth that you're seeking for from your question.
"What does the ground signify?"
I think it signifies our preoccupied spaces. God expects fruits from us by influencing the space He has entrusted us with, could be in the workplace, with family, with friend and so on
Failure to find the expected fruits, He's eventually gonna have us cuted out.
"8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year.... 9.... And if not, then after that thou shall cut it down"
In verse 8and9 I think that is Jesus through His spirit continuously seeking second chances for us through prayers hense He's always praying for us, but with time ofcause if one doesn't bear fruits through repentance, He's gonna have to cut out.
My first question is, "Why plant a fig tree in a vineyard?" and "Why is Jesus telling this parable?" So I Googled fig trees in vinyards and here's what I found. The immediate setting of this parable is a response to those who came and told Jesus of the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices (Luke 13:1). The nature of the questions might lead you to believe the audience thinks these people were killed because their sins were worse than others� sins. Jesus' response clearly indicates this is not the case (vv. 3,5). He says that without repentance all will perish. He makes it clear that those who have been killed are not dead simply because they were sinners.
It was not unusual to plant fig trees in vineyards. They were trees that absorbed large amounts of nutrients from the soil, depriving the surrounding plants of nutrition and water. So, if the tree was not productive, it was only wise to remove it. It was doing more than just taking up space. It was actually harming the rest of the vineyard. By the time the fig tree is three years old it should be bearing fruit. It needed to be uprooted and removed if it wasn't going to bear fruit.
Fig trees normally do not require any care. In this case the vinedresser offers to give the tree special attention and care. The vinedresser does set a time frame for allowing the tree to become fruitful when he says, "�this year also." However, verse nine sets a limit on the vinedresser�s efforts and the owner�s patience. The vinedresser says, "And if it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down" (Luke 13:9). The time of mercy for the tree will have an end. It seems like the tree has only one more year. The Greek phrase interpreted "next year" is interpreted "for the future" in I Tim. 6:19. This leaves open the possibility of a definite judgment coming at an unspecified time.
The message is not only a proclamation of salvation, but also the announcement of judgment, a cry of warning, and a call to repentance in view of the terrible urgency of the crisis. The day of mercy will end, and without a change of heart, Israel will be lost.
Some believe, that is, related to G-d's dealings with the nation of Israel as a whole, and how the nation of Israel would be destroyed if it did not receive Y-shua as the Messiah.
THE PARABLE IN ITS ORIGINAL SETTING Y-SHUA WAS RESPONDING TO NEWS ABOUT A CALAMITY - Lk 13:1-5
Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, �Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them�do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.�
THE PARABLE OF THE BARREN FIG TREE - Lk 13:6-9
The basic elements of the parable...
a. A man is disappointed that a fig tree in his vineyard is
unfruitful
b. He wants to cut it down, but is persuaded by the keeper of
the vineyard to give it one more year
c. If no fruit is borne, then the tree is to be cut down
2. The basic point of the parable...
a. The central lessons of verses 1-5 are clear: "Repent!"
b. The parable in verses 6-9 takes the call to repentance one
step further: "Repent NOW!" (HENDRIKSEN)
c. Fruitlessness will not be endured forever!
Those who heard Y-shua would appreciate the point, for what farmer
desires to put up with a tree that won't bear fruit? But do we today appreciate the point?
Where G-d HAS EXTENDED PRIVILEGES, HE EXPECTS RETURNS...
1. The owner of the vineyard expected the fig tree to bear fruit
a. He had given it good soil
b. For three years it had been provided care
c. He was giving it an extra year, but only for the purpose of bearing fruit
2. G-d blessed Israel, and He was disappointed when it did not bear fruit- cf. Isa 5:1-7
3. So He has blessed us through His Son Y-shua, and we are to glorify G-d by bearing fruit - Jn 15:8
Have you utilized the privileges G-d has given you...?
THE LORD IS LONGSUFFERING, BUT IT DOESN'T LAST FOREVER...
1. We see the longsuffering of the owner of the vineyard
a. He had given the fig tree three years to produce fruit
b. He was persuaded to give it another year with special care
c. But that last year was the final opportunity the tree would be given
2. We see the longsuffering of the Lord in His dealing with nation of Israel
a. His longsuffering in the wilderness
b. His longsuffering in the times of the judges
c. His longsuffering during the reigns of the kings
d. And yet, He did take the "kingdom of G-d" away from them and give it to a nation bearing the fruits of it - Mt 21:43
3. So the Lord has been longsuffering to people...
a. For He does not want anyone to be lost - 2Pe 3:9
b. His longsuffering has been for our salvation - 2Pe 3:15
c. But the longsuffering will one day end, and the "day of the Lord" will come - 2Pe 3:7,10
That's a lot of really good information, that really helps determine what is going in the parable. It sounds like the vine-dresser is Jesus, and perhaps that explains why He only went to the Jews when He was here. That was his special care, the fertilizer, etc.
