Luke 13:6-9
New English Translation
Warning to Israel to Bear Fruit
6 Then[a] Jesus[b] told this parable: “A man had a fig tree[c] planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. 7 So[d] he said to the worker who tended the vineyard, ‘For[e] three years[f] now, I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and each time I inspect it[g] I find none. Cut[h] it down! Why[i] should it continue to deplete[j] the soil?’ 8 But the worker[k] answered him, ‘Sir, leave it alone this year too, until I dig around it and put fertilizer[l] on it. 9 Then if[m] it bears fruit next year,[n] very well,[o] but if[p] not, you can cut it down.’”
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- Luke 13:6 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
- Luke 13:6 tn Grk “he”; the referent has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- Luke 13:6 sn The fig tree is a variation on the picture of a vine as representing the nation; see Isa 5:1-7.
- Luke 13:7 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate the man’s response as a result of the lack of figs in the preceding clause.
- Luke 13:7 tn Grk “Behold, for.”
- Luke 13:7 sn The elapsed time could be six years total since planting, since often a fig was given three years before one even started to look for fruit. The point in any case is that enough time had been given to expect fruit.
- Luke 13:7 tn The phrase “each time I inspect it” is not in the Greek text but has been supplied to indicate the customary nature of the man’s search for fruit.
- Luke 13:7 tc ‡ Several witnesses (P75 A L Θ Ψ 070 ƒ13 33 579 892 al lat co) have “therefore” (οὖν, oun) here. This conjunction has the effect of strengthening the logical connection with the preceding statement but also of reducing the rhetorical power and urgency of the imperative. In light of the slightly greater internal probability of adding a conjunction to an otherwise asyndetic sentence, as well as significant external support for the omission (א B D W ƒ1 M), the shorter reading appears to be more likely as the earlier wording here. NA28 puts the conjunction in brackets, indicating some doubts as to its authenticity.
- Luke 13:7 tn Grk “Why indeed.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
- Luke 13:7 sn Such fig trees would deplete the soil, robbing it of nutrients needed by other trees and plants.
- Luke 13:8 tn Grk “he”; the referent (the worker who tended the vineyard) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- Luke 13:8 tn Grk “toss manure [on it].” This is a reference to manure used as fertilizer.
- Luke 13:9 tn This is a third class condition in the Greek text. The conjunction καί (kai, a component of κάν [kan]) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
- Luke 13:9 tn Grk “the coming [season].”
- Luke 13:9 tn The phrase “very well” is supplied in the translation to complete the elided idea, but its absence is telling.
- Luke 13:9 tn This is a first class condition in the Greek text, showing which of the options is assumed.
Luke 13:6-9
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree
6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it and found none.(A) 7 So he said to the man working the vineyard, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’(B) 8 He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, well and good, but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”
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