Knowing The Word in Luke 13:1-9, Repentance and Figs

Some people bring up an event to engage Jesus in the need for judgment. He uses the opportunity to drive the point home regarding the urgency of repentance. The common thinking at the time was that bad things happened to bad people, and that they were deserving of this crime at the hands of Pilate. Jesus takes universal sinfulness as a given. The fate of those killed is a warning to all to repent and be in a right relationship with God. Repentance is both a once-for-all event and a daily practice to keep putting sin away.

The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree brings together two themes: the need for repentance and God’s slowness to punish. There is no indication the fig tree will ever bear fruit. It is taking up room where a productive tree can be planted. The vinedresser counsels the owner to have patience. The vinedresser will take no initiative in destroying the tree but says the owner can cut it down himself. The fact that evil is not punished here and now does not mean that God approves of what sinners are doing. It means that God is merciful and patient.

1 There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

6 And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 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?’ 8 And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. 9 Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”

Prayer:

Though waves and storms go o’er my head,

Though strength and health and friends be gone,

Though joys be withered all, and dead,

Though every comfort be withdrawn,

On this my steadfast soul relies, —

Father! Thy mercy never dies.

Johann A. Rothe, 1799-1867