Luke 13:8

‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone again this year, until I dig around it and fertilize it.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The vineyard keeper answers the landowner’s command to cut down the barren fig tree. He speaks to the owner at the moment of impending judgment, requesting a single-year extension to tend the tree.

The words — ἀποκριθεὶς (apokritheis) means “answering,” and ἄφες (aphes) translates literally as “do leave” or “let it be.” These terms frame the keeper’s response as a direct reply that pauses the execution order.

The thread — The plea for delayed judgment runs parallel to the intercessory appeal in Joel 2:17 and the apostolic prayer for Israel in Romans 10:1. It also aligns with the theological patience outlined in 2 Peter 3:9, where divine delay functions as preservation rather than neglect.

Why it lands — The text states that a granted extension requires active cultivation before final evaluation. It asks the reader to accept that reprieve is strictly conditional upon subsequent fruitfulness, not an open-ended pardon.

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

And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:

Cross-references

Romans 10:1 Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is for their salvation.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.
Joel 2:17 Let the priests who minister before the LORD weep between the portico and the altar, saying, “Spare Your people, O LORD, and do not make Your heritage a reproach, an object of scorn among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’”
Exodus 34:9 “O Lord,” he said, “if I have indeed found favor in Your sight, my Lord, please go with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people, forgive our iniquity and sin, and take us as Your inheritance.”
Joshua 7:7 “O, Lord GOD,” Joshua said, “why did You ever bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites to be destroyed? If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan!
Psalms 106:23 So He said He would destroy them—had not Moses His chosen one stood before Him in the breach to divert His wrath from destroying them.
Jeremiah 15:1 Then the LORD said to me: “Even if Moses and Samuel should stand before Me, My heart would not go out to this people. Send them from My presence, and let them go!
Romans 11:14 in the hope that I may provoke my own people to jealousy and save some of them.
Numbers 14:11 And the LORD said to Moses, “How long will this people treat Me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in Me, despite all the signs I have performed among them?
Jeremiah 14:7 Although our iniquities testify against us, O LORD, act for the sake of Your name. Indeed, our rebellions are many; we have sinned against You.