Parable on the Fruitless Fig Tree.

(Luke 13:6-9)

The owner of the vineyard in this parable is understood to be Lord God, Who is waiting for the Jewish people’s repentance. However, this also enunciates an important thought — that the Jewish people occupied a special position as the chosen people, standing alone among the other peoples of the world, just as the fig tree stood alone in the vineyard. The vineyard owner is to be understood as being the Lord Jesus Christ, having come to the God-chosen Jewish people. Spending 3 years of public ministry and doing everything possible so as to convert the Jewish people toward the saving faith in Him, as the Messiah, and expecting from the Jews, fruits of His labor. “After that you can cut it down” — grim forecast of God’s punishment that will overtake the Jewish people, for still not turning to God, not bringing any expected harvest, and on the fourth year of the Lord Jesus Christ’s ministry, delivering Him to death on the cross. For this, it was rejected by God and punished by the Roman invasion and terrible destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. The Son of God (vineyard owner in the parable) is presented as the Interceder for the people, beseeching mercy for them from God the Father.