Barren Fig Tree

Luke 13:6–9

Opening: A Tree Under Review
Jesus tells of a fig tree planted in a vineyard. For three years the owner comes seeking fruit and finds none. “Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?” The vinedresser pleads, “Let it alone this year also; I will dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit, well. If not, then after that you can cut it down.” The picture is simple and searching: God expects fruit, provides care that enables fruit, and announces a real deadline.

The Setting: Repent or Perish
This parable follows a sobering exchange about tragedy—the slaughter of Galileans and the collapse of the tower in Siloam (Luke 13:1–5). Jesus redirects speculation toward repentance: “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” The fig tree story gives that warning shape. Time remains, yet time is moving.

What the Symbols Teach
Scripture often uses vineyard imagery for God’s people (Isaiah 5:1–7). In Jesus’ story the owner represents God, the vinedresser represents the Lord’s appointed care, the tree pictures a life or a people placed in a privileged spot, and fruit stands for obedience that flows from repentance—visible, measurable faithfulness (Luke 3:8; Colossians 1:10; Titus 3:14).

God’s Expectation: Real Fruit
A fig tree exists to bear figs. In the same way, disciples exist to bear “fruit of righteousness” and “every good work” (Philippians 1:11; Colossians 1:10). Jesus says the wise builder hears and does His sayings (Matthew 7:24); Hebrews says He is the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him (Hebrews 5:9). Fruit looks like truthful speech, reconciled relationships, purity, integrity, generosity, steady prayer, and a public confession that matches private conduct (Matthew 5–7; Matthew 5:16).

Why Fruit Goes Missing
Unfruitfulness seldom arrives overnight. Neglect hardens soil. Roots remain shallow. Weeds take over. Jesus named these conditions in the Sower: hard hearts, shallow convictions, and crowded lives (Luke 8:11–15). Hebrews speaks of land that drinks rain and yields thorns; that field draws near to being cursed (Hebrews 6:7–8). When the Word lies on the surface, when trials send us backward, or when cares and riches choke devotion, fruit disappears.

The Patience That Pleads
“Let it alone this year also.” The vinedresser seeks another season and adds work—digging and fertilizing. This is how God’s kindness leads people to repentance (Romans 2:4). He grants time and brings means: sound teaching, loving reproof, providential nudges, even discipline that yields a peaceful harvest to those trained by it (2 Timothy 4:2; Hebrews 12:11). Mercy creates opportunity; it never cancels accountability.

The Deadline Is Real
“If not, then after that you can cut it down.” Jesus places a date on the calendar. Time given is time measured. The owner’s question stands over every unfruitful life: “Why does it use up the ground?” Romans speaks of the goodness and severity of God (Romans 11:22). Delaying repentance hardens the heart, and delay itself becomes a decision (Hebrews 3:12–13; 2 Peter 3:9–10).

How Fruit Grows in Ordinary Days
Fruit appears when roots go down and weeds come out.

• Hear and do. Read the Lord’s words and turn them into today’s choices (James 1:22–25; Matthew 7:24–27).

• Repent specifically. Name the sin, turn from it, and replace it with obedience (Luke 13:3; Ephesians 4:22–32).

• Order the week. Assemble faithfully, pray intentionally, and plan good works that meet real needs (Hebrews 10:24–25; Titus 3:14).

• Guard the pattern. Do all by the Lord’s authority, adding nothing and removing nothing (Colossians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 4:6; Deuteronomy 4:2).

• Accept cultivation. Welcome teaching, correction, and accountability as the digging and fertilizing that help you bear fruit (Proverbs 9:8–9; 2 Timothy 3:16–17).

• Live public light. Let your light shine so that others see your good works and glorify the Father (Matthew 5:16).

A Word for the Long-Cared-For but Fruitless
Three years passed with no figs. Many of us have enjoyed years of blessings—sound preaching, patient shepherding, a congregation that loves truth. Privilege brings responsibility. John the Baptizer said, “Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees” (Luke 3:9). The call is clear: “Bear fruits worthy of repentance” (Luke 3:8).

Invitation: Begin Bearing Fruit Today
The gospel names the appointed beginning—believe, repent, confess Christ, and be baptized for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3–4; 1 Peter 3:21). Those already in Christ can return to first works with a clear plan and a humble heart (Revelation 2:5). The Owner still walks His vineyard. Let Him find figs on your branch.

Exhaustive Sermon Outline

• Text and Context

  • Read Luke 13:1–9: tragedies reported; “repent or perish”; parable told

  • Setting connects warning to a living picture

• Elements of the Parable

  • Owner—God; Vinedresser—appointed care of the Lord

  • Vineyard—people under God’s care (Isaiah 5:1–7)

  • Fig tree—individual life or Israel; Fruit—obedience flowing from repentance

• God’s Expectation

  • Fruit as evidence of true repentance (Luke 3:8)

  • Doing the Father’s will (Matthew 7:21, 24)

  • Salvation linked to obedience (Hebrews 5:9)

  • Fruit in every good work (Colossians 1:10; Titus 3:14)

• Causes of Unfruitfulness

  • Hard, shallow, crowded hearts (Luke 8:11–15)

  • Thorny priorities, deceitfulness of riches (Matthew 13:22)

  • Land that yields thorns—warning of judgment (Hebrews 6:7–8)

• Divine Patience and Present Cultivation

  • “This year also” — time granted for change (Romans 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9)

  • Digging and fertilizing—teaching, correction, discipline (2 Timothy 3:16–17; Hebrews 12:11)

• The Announced Deadline

  • “After that…cut it down” — real accountability (Romans 11:22; Hebrews 3:12–13)

  • Privilege requires fruit (Luke 3:9)

• Path to Fruitfulness

  • Hear and do (James 1:22–25; Matthew 7:24–27)

  • Repent specifically (Luke 13:3; Ephesians 4:22–32)

  • Order the week—assemble, pray, do good (Hebrews 10:24–25; Titus 3:14)

  • Guard the pattern—by the Lord’s authority alone (Colossians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 4:6; Deuteronomy 4:2)

  • Accept cultivation—shepherds, teachers, brethren (Proverbs 9:8–9)

• Invitation

  • Begin: believe, repent, confess, be baptized (Mark 16:16; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3–4; 1 Peter 3:21)

  • Continue: first works restored; fruit pursued (Revelation 2:5; Philippians 1:11)

Call to Action
Set a thirty-day fruit plan. Choose one command from the Sermon on the Mount and practice it daily. Reconcile with one person, serve one household, speak Christ to one soul, and commit to one new habit of obedience. Write the date. At month’s end, offer God the figs He came to find.

Scripture Reference List (with notes)

• Luke 13:1–9 — Context and parable; repentance, expectation, patience, and deadline

• Isaiah 5:1–7 — Vineyard image applied to God’s people

• Luke 3:8–9 — Fruits worthy of repentance; axe at the root

• Matthew 7:21, 24 — Doing the Father’s will; hearing and doing

• Hebrews 5:9 — Salvation to those who obey the Lord

• Colossians 1:10 — “Bearing fruit in every good work”

• Titus 3:14 — Learn to maintain good works and avoid unfruitfulness

• Hebrews 6:7–8 — Land that bears thorns draws near to a curse

• Luke 8:11–15 — Soils that prevent fruit: hard, shallow, crowded

• Romans 2:4 — Kindness of God leads to repentance

• 2 Peter 3:9–10 — Patience and the certainty of a coming day

• Romans 11:22 — Goodness and severity of God

• Hebrews 3:12–13 — Urgency; hearts hardened by sin’s deceit

• James 1:22–25 — Blessing in the doing

• Colossians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 4:6; Deuteronomy 4:2 — Authority and the guarded pattern

• Matthew 5–7; Matthew 5:16 — Everyday fruit in visible good works

• Mark 16:16; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3–4; 1 Peter 3:21 — Appointed response to the gospel

• Revelation 2:5 — Remember, repent, and do the first works

Prepared by David Hersey of the church of Christ at Granby, MO