131 Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices . 2 And Jesus said to them, " Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate? 3 "I tell you, no , but unless e you repent , you will all likewise perish . 4 "Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem ? 5 "I tell you, no , but unless e you repent , you will all likewise perish ."
6 And He began telling this parable : "A man had a fig tree which had been planted in his vineyard ; and he came looking for fruit on it and did not find any. 7 "And he said to the vineyard-keeper , 'Behold , for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without e finding any. Cut it down ! Why does it even use up the ground ?' 8 "And he answered and said to him, 'Let it alone , sir , for this year too , until I dig around it and put in fertilizer ; 9 and if it bears fruit next e year, fine; but if not, cut it down .' "
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 13:1-9
Commentary on Luke 13:1-5
(Read Luke 13:1-5)
Mention was made to Christ of the death of some Galileans. This tragical story is briefly related here, and is not met with in any historians. In Christ's reply he spoke of another event, which, like it, gave an instance of people taken away by sudden death. Towers, that are built for safety, often prove to be men's destruction. He cautioned his hearers not to blame great sufferers, as if they were therefore to be accounted great sinners. As no place or employment can secure from the stroke of death, we should consider the sudden removals of others as warnings to ourselves. On these accounts Christ founded a call to repentance. The same Jesus that bids us repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand, bids us repent, for otherwise we shall perish.
Commentary on Luke 13:6-9
(Read Luke 13:6-9)
This parable of the barren fig-tree is intended to enforce the warning given just before: the barren tree, except it brings forth fruit, will be cut down. This parable in the first place refers to the nation and people of the Jews. Yet it is, without doubt, for awakening all that enjoy the means of grace, and the privileges of the visible church. When God has borne long, we may hope that he will bear with us yet a little longer, but we cannot expect that he will bear always.