The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

And he told this parable:(A) “A man had a fig tree that was planted in his vineyard. He came looking for fruit on it and found none.(B) He told the vineyard worker, ‘Listen, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down!(C) Why should it even waste the soil?’(D)

“But he replied to him, ‘Sir,[a] leave it this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.(E) Perhaps it will produce fruit next year, but if not, you can cut it down.’”

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Footnotes

  1. 13:8 Or Lord

Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

Then Jesus told this story: “A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed. 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.’

“The gardener answered, ‘Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down.’”

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