Luke 13:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

However, since humanity was led astray by the deceptive cunning of the serpent, ensnared by sin and separated from God, Christ came to restore him, recreating him as in the beginning and granting him repentance as the path to salvation. He presents a profound parable, but we should first explore the circumstances that birthed it. Some informed Christ, our Savior, that Pilate had mercilessly executed certain Galileans, mingling their blood with the sacrifices. Others mentioned that a tower near Shiloh had collapsed, resulting in the demise of eighteen individuals. In light of these occurrences, Christ addressed the listeners, stating, "Verily I say unto you, that unless you repent ye shall likewise perish." This serves as the premise and essence of the parable, revealing its intention. The outward meaning requires little explanation, yet if we delve into its deeper, concealed significance, it suggests that after the crucifixion of our Savior, the Israelites faced deserved tribulations: Jerusalem fell, and its citizens were slain by their foes. Not only did they perish, but their homes were consumed by fire, and even the temple of God was razed. It is likely that Christ likened the Jewish synagogue to a fig tree, as Scripture often compares them to various plants—such as the vine, the olive tree, and even the forest. The prophet Jeremiah, for example, states of Jerusalem's people, "Israel is a vine with many branches." He also refers to them as, "The Lord hath called thy name a beautiful olive tree, well shaded in appearance; at the time of its pruning a fire was kindled in it: great was the affliction that befell it; its branches were consumed." Another prophet compares it to Mount Lebanon, proclaiming, "Open thy doors, O Lebanon, and fire shall devour thy cedars." Thus, the multitude in Jerusalem faced destruction akin to fire. Therefore, as mentioned, the fig tree in the parable symbolizes the Jewish synagogue, or the Israelites, as He states, "three years he sought fruit upon it, and found none." This likely refers to the three epochs in which the Jewish synagogue yielded no fruit. The first occurred during the days of Moses, Aaron, and his sons, who served as priests under the law. The second period corresponds to the reign of Joshua, son of Nun, along with the judges that followed him. The third era is characterized by the blessed prophets who thrived until the time of John the Baptist. Throughout these times, Israel bore no true fruit. Some might protest, suggesting that they indeed performed the lawful rituals and offered sacrifices, including the blood of animals and incense. To this, we clarify that Moses' writings presented merely a shadow of truth, comprising a crude and material form of worship; there was not yet the simple, pure, and spiritual service that we assert God prefers, as learned from Christ, who proclaimed, "God is a Spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." Thus, from the perspective of the Father's grace and evidently the Son's, the ministry adhering to these shadows and symbols was deemed unacceptable, for it was entirely devoid of the sweet spiritual flavor. Consequently, it was rejected, as the Savior instructs us, speaking to God the Father: "Sacrifice and offering Thou didst not want: neither burnt-offering, nor sin-offering didst Thou require." In the voice of Isaiah, He further questions those trying to fulfill such obligations, saying, "For who hath required it at your hands? Walk no more in My court; if you bring a meal, it is in vain; smoking is an abomination to Me." How then can that which God detests and rejects be considered the reasonable and spiritual fruit of the soul, deemed acceptable to Him?

Consequently, the day of judgment—akin to summer when the harvest is gathered from all lands—is linked to the fulfillment of the Church, which includes the belief of the Jews.

Furthermore, we should seek a deeper understanding here. This fig tree was within a vineyard belonging to the Lord of hosts, who allowed the vineyard to be exploited by the Gentiles. As He relinquished control of His vineyard, He also decreed the fig tree's destruction. The analogy with this tree aptly reflects the synagogue: just as the tree, flourishing with leaves, failed to meet the owner's expectations by producing no fruit, the empty façade of the law prevails in the synagogue, while its teachers, lacking in deeds, boast of their words as if they were abundant foliage. The anticipated harvest proves to be an empty hope for the faithful.

The fig tree's unique characteristics contribute to its characterization of the synagogue. Unlike other trees that produce flowers before fruit—where flowers hint at future growth—the fig tree produces fruit in absence of flowers from the outset. While other trees shed flowers to bear fruit, the fig tree discards unripe fruit instead of flowers, presenting premature yields that do not conform to the natural order and lack nature's favor. In the Song of Songs, it is noted that “the fig tree brought forth its early fruits.” When other trees bloom in spring, the fig tree does not display white blossoms; perhaps this results from the initial fruit's failure to ripen. In arid environments, the early figs often do not mature, although this is not always true. When succeeded by new fruit, earlier figs are discarded, having been weakened by drought, making way for newer fruits that benefit from the nourishing sap.

Some figs, however—though rare—remain and do not fall off. These are found on a short stalk nestled between two branches, sheltered and nourished by nature's bounty. Although these fruits may take longer to ripen, they benefit from gentle winds and favorable conditions, becoming more appealing and mature than their counterparts.

Now, let us consider the mindset and way of life of the Jewish people: akin to the first fruits of the fruitless synagogue, they have fallen like early figs, to be replaced by the enduring fruits of our lineage. The original members of the synagogue were weak, their endeavors faltered, unable to draw from the wealth of divine wisdom, resulting in their fall as barren fruits. This sets the stage for a new people—rooted in the heritage of God’s ancient worship—to arise. What once existed has passed away for the emergence of something new.

Nevertheless, those initial fruits were from Israel. Those who came from this stronger lineage, sheltered under the law and the Cross, absorbed the dual wisdom of maturity and, like ripe fruit, excelled in beauty and ripeness. To them were spoken the words: “You shall sit on twelve thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel.”

It is pertinent to recall Adam and Eve, the ancestors who initiated our sins. When they sought to hide from the Lord in the garden, they covered themselves with fig leaves, acknowledging their guilt meriting expulsion from paradise. This act signifies a prophetic future: in later days, the Jewish people, prior to the Savior's coming to call them, would become aware of their moral nakedness due to the devil's deceptions. Conscious of their blemishes and ashamed of their betrayal, they would turn away from the Lord, attempting to veil their shame with words, akin to covering themselves with falling leaves.

At that time, the Jews would recognize their lack of virtue, and in their fear of exposing their hidden sins, they would pluck leaves and not fruits, thus being excluded from God's kingdom. The second Adam has come and seeks not leaves but actual fruits; He is the Spirit that brings life. In the Spirit, the harvest of virtue is sought, and the Lord is glorified. Even though He knew the fig tree bore no fruit, His inquiry illustrates that the synagogue ought to have been fruitful. His statement indicates that He has been seeking fruit for three years, yet found none. He questioned, “Cut it down; why should it take up space on the earth?”

The owner of the vineyard approached the fig tree for three successive years without finding any fruit, just as the bent woman endured her condition for eighteen long years. The significance of the eighteen years aligns with the three years in which the owner of the vineyard sought fruit from the fig tree.

Now that we have provided a general overview, let us delve into each concept in sequence as per our reading. What does the fig tree symbolize if not humanity? And what does the bent woman metaphorically represent if not the same human condition? This woman is indeed rooted well like the fig tree and was created wonderfully as a woman; however, due to her own choices, she has fallen from grace, lacking both the fruit of good deeds and the condition of moral uprightness. Through her willful descent into sin and her refusal to bear the fruit of obedience, she has forfeited her state of righteousness. Created in the image of God, she has, by failing to uphold her dignity, also neglected the integrity of her own being, by which she was formed. The owner of the vineyard visits three times, signifying his search for the human race in three phases: before the Law, under the Law, and during the time of grace, patiently waiting, encouraging, and reaching out.

It should be noted that the three years do not strictly refer to the duration of Christ's earthly ministry, nor should the fourth year be strictly interpreted as the time when Christ delivered this particular parable. Instead, these numbers can be seen metaphorically, representing a period that is wholly adequate for the fig tree to either flourish or remain barren.

As the third year of the Son of Man's public ministry was drawing to a close, the fig tree had yet to yield any results; this duration had been ample for discerning whether the fig tree could produce fruit, whether the Jewish people would accept the Savior sent to them, whether they would turn from their ways and align with God's will, thereby producing worthy fruits of repentance. Therefore, with little expectation that the Jews would change their obstinate ways, the Master of the vineyard declared a sentence upon the unfruitful fig tree: "Cut it down," He instructed the caretaker, Jesus Christ, "why should it inhabit the land?" (Lk. 13:7). Discard this unyielding nation! Reject it! Other peoples will step in who will believe in you and follow my commandments. Yet, the compassionate Caretaker advocates for a postponement of this decree, suggesting that, with remarkable efforts on His part, there may still be a chance for this nation to yield the anticipated fruit. The time for removing the barren fig tree and dismissing the chosen people has not yet come: "Leave it for this year," He pleads, "if it does not produce fruit, you can cut it down next year" (Luke 13:8-9). The beloved fig tree, however, ultimately remained unproductive; the Jewish people not only failed to repent but also crucified Christ. Consequently, God’s judgment was fulfilled against them: their temple, the only location where, according to their laws, they were permitted to offer sacrifices to God, was destroyed. The bold attempt by the Roman emperor Julian the Apostate to restore it was a futile effort to reverse the consequences of the judgment they had earned; their city was devastated, and they were scattered across the earth, wandering as exiles without a homeland ever since.

Surrounded by care and potential blessings to encourage a heart inclined towards obedience to His commandments, they remain stubborn and unrepentant. They fail to recognize that God's goodness is intended to lead them to repentance and instead accumulate judgment for themselves in anticipation of the day of God's righteous judgment and revelation (Rom. 2:4,5).

Frustrated by the lack of fruit, the owner resolved to cut it down, but this decision was postponed through the plea of the gardener, who requested another year of grace; if, after this time, the tree still did not bear fruit, it could then be removed as it would be deemed a waste of space and resources. According to Mosaic law (Deuteronomy 20:19, 20), the cutting down of fruit-bearing trees is prohibited except under specific circumstances, leading the rabbis to teach, “Do not cut down a palm tree that yields a kab of dates, or an olive tree that yields one-fourth of a kab.” One rabbi remarked that his son would have lived had he not felled the fig trees prematurely. The unfruitful fig tree represented the Jewish people, whose spiritual fruitlessness and unbelief were exhausting God’s patience, with the axe already poised at their roots. Only the intercession of the Divine Vinedresser temporarily extended divine mercy, but the continued lack of faith and productivity among the people ultimately led to God’s severe judgment—the destruction of Jerusalem and the total collapse of their national existence.