Luke 13:7 kjv

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?

Luke 13:7 nkjv

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?'

Luke 13:7 niv

So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?'

Luke 13:7 esv

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?'

Luke 13:7 nlt

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.'

Luke 13 verses

Luke 13 7 Meaning

Luke 13:7 depicts the landowner's declaration regarding a fig tree that has failed to produce fruit for three years despite his repeated attempts to find it. He expresses his disappointment and intent to cut it down, questioning why it should uselessly consume ground resources. This verse encapsulates the divine expectation for fruitfulness, God's patience, and the inevitable judgment upon continued unproductiveness. It serves as a stern warning against spiritual barrenness and the impending consequences for those who do not respond to opportunities for repentance and righteousness.

Luke 13 7 Context

Luke 13:7 is part of Jesus' parable of the barren fig tree, which directly follows His discourse on tragedy and repentance. Earlier in the chapter, Jesus addresses two contemporary events: the Galileans slain by Pilate and those killed when the tower in Siloam fell. In both instances, Jesus warns His audience against assuming the victims were greater sinners, instead emphasizing that "unless you repent, you will all likewise perish" (Lk 13:3, 5). The parable of the barren fig tree then illustrates this urgent call for repentance and the grave consequences of neglecting the opportunity for spiritual fruitfulness. It provides a visual metaphor for God's patience (three years seeking fruit), His expectation of a changed life (fruit), and the limited time before judgment (cut it down). The fig tree often symbolized Israel in the Old Testament, suggesting a specific warning to the Jewish nation, yet also bearing broader implications for any individual or community unrepentant and unfruitful before God.

Luke 13 7 Word analysis

• Then said he: Refers to Jesus, the storyteller. The words are attributed to the landowner in the parable.

• unto the dresser: Greek: geōrgos (γεωργός), meaning "tiller of the ground," "farmer," "vine-dresser." This figure represents the one who cultivates the tree. In the broader theological context of the parable, the dresser is often interpreted as Christ Himself, or God's appointed messengers and prophets, who work diligently for the spiritual fruitfulness of God's people.

• of his vineyard: The "vineyard" represents God's people or kingdom (cf. Isa 5:1-7). The dresser has a stewardship responsibility over this portion of the divine estate.

• Behold: A particle of emphasis, calling for attention to the declaration that follows.

• these three years: This specific duration suggests a significant period of patient waiting and expectation. In agricultural terms, a newly planted fig tree might not bear much fruit until its third year or beyond. Spiritually, it signifies ample time for opportunity and grace provided by God, perhaps mirroring the duration of Jesus' ministry or a complete cycle of opportunities.

• I come seeking fruit: Shows the deliberate and repeated effort of the landowner. It implies a reasonable expectation for produce from the tree, given the time and care. Spiritually, it reflects God's constant pursuit of righteous living and repentance from His people.

• on this fig tree: Greek: sykē (συκή), fig tree. Throughout the Old Testament, the fig tree is frequently used as a symbol for Israel (e.g., Jer 8:13, Hos 9:10, Mic 7:1). Its barrenness represents the spiritual unfruitfulness of Israel despite God's care.

• and find none: Expresses profound disappointment. The absence of fruit, not just sparse fruit, highlights total spiritual barrenness.

• cut it down: Greek: ekkoptō (ἐκκόπτω), to cut off, cut out, or cut down. This verb signifies a decisive act of removal or destruction, implying judgment. It reflects the consequence for prolonged unfruitfulness.

• why cumbereth it the ground?: Greek: katargeō (καταργέω), meaning to make idle, useless, to annul, to make ineffective. Here, it implies occupying ground uselessly or rendering the ground unproductive for other potential plantings. The tree is not only useless itself but actively hinders the potential productivity of the soil by drawing nutrients and space without yielding anything in return. This underlines the wastefulness of barrenness in God's eyes and the fairness of His judgment.

• "these three years I come seeking fruit... and find none": This phrase highlights God's patience and persistent effort in cultivating His people, emphasizing that the lack of fruit is not due to neglect on His part but an inherent barrenness. It also underscores a specific and measurable period of grace.

• "cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?": This imperative followed by a rhetorical question justifies the landowner's decision. It presents a divine logic where persistent unfruitfulness not only disqualifies one from divine blessing but actively burdens or harms the spiritual "ground" (the community, the kingdom), making removal a just necessity.

Luke 13 7 Bonus section

The parable of the barren fig tree provides an important balance to the teaching on God's sovereignty. While God's grace is abundant and His patience extensive, this verse unequivocally asserts that grace is not indefinite, nor is it given for idleness. There is a tangible expectation of responsiveness and production from those who have received the benefits of His care. The "three years" could also be seen as symbolic, representing not just a chronological period but a completeness of opportunity provided, suggesting that all reasonable chances have been exhausted. Furthermore, the tree's culpability is not just its barrenness, but its burdening of the ground, implying that spiritual unproductiveness can actively impede the spiritual flourishing of others or waste God-given resources that could otherwise be used for good. This is not just a parable of personal responsibility, but of communal and spiritual economy.

Luke 13 7 Commentary

Luke 13:7 is a critical point in the parable, marking the transition from divine patience to divine judgment. The landowner, representing God, has shown significant patience ("these three years") and active engagement ("I come seeking fruit"), yet met only with utter disappointment ("find none"). The "fig tree," often a symbol for Israel, is not merely unfruitful; it is also a liability, "cumbering the ground." This implies that its continued existence is detrimental, consuming resources (soil, water, light) that could nourish a productive plant. The owner's command to "cut it down" signifies that God's grace has a limit, and persistent spiritual barrenness, particularly after abundant opportunity and divine cultivation, will ultimately lead to judgment and removal from a place of privilege and resource. This serves as a potent warning that profession of faith or status without a genuine display of spiritual fruit is unsustainable and will ultimately be subject to God's just assessment. It prompts introspection for individuals and communities: are we merely existing, or are we actively bearing the fruit God seeks from our lives?