Luke 13:7

So he said to the keeper of the vineyard, ‘Look, for the past three years I have come to search for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Therefore cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — In a parable, the landowner addresses the vineyard keeper after three consecutive seasons of inspecting a fig tree for fruit. The moment follows the initial report that the tree yielded nothing.

The words — The Greek ἰδοὺ (idou) functions as a directive “Behold” or “Look,” while τρὶα ἔτη (tria etē) literally means “three years.” These terms mark the precise duration of the owner’s inspection.

The thread — The theme of barren trees facing removal appears in Matthew 7:19 and Luke 3:9, while John 15:6 extends the imagery to branches severed for withering. These passages share the motif of judgment tied to unfruitfulness.

Why it lands — The text commands the immediate cutting of a fig tree that consumes soil without yielding fruit for three years. It asks the reader to accept that unproductiveness justifies removal.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?

Cross-references

Matthew 7:19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Luke 3:9 The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”
John 15:6 If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned.
John 15:2 He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful.
Romans 2:4 Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?
Exodus 32:10 Now leave Me alone, so that My anger may burn against them and consume them. Then I will make you into a great nation.”
Leviticus 19:23 When you enter the land and plant any kind of tree for food, you shall regard the fruit as forbidden. For three years it will be forbidden to you and must not be eaten.
Matthew 3:9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.
Daniel 4:14 He called out in a loud voice: ‘Cut down the tree and chop off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the beasts flee from under it, and the birds from its branches.
Leviticus 25:21 But I will send My blessing upon you in the sixth year, so that the land will yield a crop sufficient for three years.