Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

1. Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

2. “a placing beside (akin to paraballo, to throw or lay beside, to compare). It signifies a placing of one thing beside another with a view of comparison…It is generally used of a somewhat lengthy utterance or narrative drawn from nature or human circumstances, the object of which is to set forth a spiritual lesson” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of NT Words)

3. “specifically a narrative, fictitious but agreeable to the laws and usages of human life, by which either the duties of men or the things of God, particularly the nature and history of God’s kingdom, are figuratively portrayed” (Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the NT)

4. Approximately 1/3 of the teachings of Jesus were in parabolic form Purposes of parables given by Jesus: 1) To reveal truth to inquiring minds that wanted to know 2) To conceal truth from those not truly interested

5. And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in

6. parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. Matthew 13:10-13

7. Must keep in mind the context in studying parables What is the context in which we find the parable of the barren fig tree? Jesus was teaching about the events of life and what causes them (Lk. 15:1-5) He then enters into this parable

8. Who was to blame for Judah’s rebellion against the Messiah? Had God done something to cause this rebellion by the Jews? Many blame God (either advertently or inadvertently) for their problems God was not to blame; the Jews themselves were

9. Notice what is seen in this Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

10. Property of a Certain Man

11. He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree… Luke 13:6

12. This “certain man” represents God, the owner of the vineyard and the owner of Judah (the fig tree)

13. Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes. And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my

14. vineyard. What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes? And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down: And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also

15. command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry. Isaiah 5:1-7

16. This “certain man” represents God, the owner of the vineyard and the owner of Judah (the fig tree) Just so, He is the owner of every man by virtue of His being man’s Creator

17. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. Ecclesiastes 12:7

18. Prepared in a Certain Fashion

19. He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted… Luke 13:6

20. God had prepared them to be the people through whom His Son would come They would be the first recipients of the gospel

21. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8

22. God had prepared them to be the people through whom His Son would come They would be the first recipients of the gospel He planted them in a fertile place and promised them a favorable position if they would obey His will

23. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. Hebrews 3:13-15

24. Even so we are not children of chance In becoming Christians we were planted in His vineyard through our baptism into Him

25. Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Acts 2:47

26. Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: Colossians 1:13

27. Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Romans 6:4, 5

28. But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Matthew 15:13

29. Planted in a Certain Place

30. He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard… Luke 13:6

31. Among the things promised to the descendants of Abraham was land, the land in which they would settle and be made ready for the coming of the Messiah

32. Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. Genesis 12:1-3

33. Among the things promised to the descendants of Abraham was land, the land in which they would settle and be made ready for the coming of the Messiah That land was given to them and that land promise was fulfilled

34. And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof. Joshua 23:14

35. When ye have transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you. Joshua 23:16

36. In like fashion, every Christian has been “planted” in His vineyard, His church, His kingdom, that which was purchased by His blood There are not many vineyards, but one God is its keeper and Christ its vine; we are the branches

37. I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in

38. me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. John 15:1-5

39. Presumed to Be a Certain Way

40. He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon… Luke 13:6

41. Had an expectation from it It was a fruit tree planted in a fertile place receiving the proper care It should have borne fruit; but none was forthcoming Judah should have borne much fruit, but it was barren

42. Likewise, God expects each of us to be fruit-producers

43. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Matthew 7:19

44. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. John 15:8

45. Likewise, God expects each of us to be fruit-producers Some may be more favorably situated than others; some have more ability than others; some have more opportunity than others; but all can and must produce fruit

46. Perplexed by a Certain Condition

47. He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none… Luke 13:6, 7a

48. Some ascribe the “three years” to the time of the Lord’s personal ministry on earth Others maintain that it is symbolic of the attempts to reach the Jews through the law, the prophets and the Christ The Jews, as a whole, were not convinced by all of these

49. Even though the law and prophets spoke of Him, and He Himself taught them, urged them and pleaded with them during His time on earth, they still rejected Him That which should have brought forth much fruit was actually fruitless What will the Lord find with us when He returns?

50. Proposal of a Certain Action