A Fig Tree in a Vineyard - Luke 13:6

The beloved physician Luke wrote, “There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose you that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, No: but, except you repent, you shall all likewise perish.Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think you that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, No: but, except you repent, you shall all likewise perish”, and in chapter thirteen and verse six of his book Luke shared how Jesus tells another parable about how, “a certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard” where we read:

He spoke also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard;

and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.

The verse reads, “He spoke also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard;” Luke began with the words, “He spoke also this parable” or “Jesus uttered, declared and proclaimed even so and indeed the following earthly story with a heavenly meaning”; “a certain man” which means “a particular male human being” “had a fig tree planted” or “held, owned and possessed a tree which produced the fruit of figs set out in the earth and implanted” “in his vineyard” which means “within the man's field where grapevines are set”. Luke shared how Jesus began to share another “earthly story which had a heavenly meaning”, and this time it concerning a man who had a “fig tree” which was planted in His “vineyard”.

The verse goes on to say, “and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.” Luke continued with the words, “and he came” or “and the man who had planted the fig tree in his vineyard arose and appeared” “and sought fruit thereon” which means “and looked and searched for fig fruit upon the tree”, “and found none” or “and did not discover nor come upon any fruit”. Luke shared how Jesus said the man who owned the vineyard came to discover “fruit” on the “fig tree” but did not find any on it.

When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn Jesus' story about a man who owned a “vineyard” and planted a “fig tree” in the midst of it. Because he desired to enjoy “fruit” from the tree, at the appropriate time, he came looking for “figs” but did not “find” any. Jesus will say more about this tree in the next verse, but for now let it suffice us to realize the “vineyard” represents God's world, and the “fig tree” represents “Israel” or even further people in the world who have a relationship with God. God desires “fruit” from people, and when they submit themselves to His Son Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”, their lives begin to produce “fruit” which is satisfying to Him. Let all who read these words yield their lives to Jesus and bear “fruit” for Almighty God.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus tells how the owner of the vineyard says, “these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".