Luk 13:6-9 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Luke 13:6-9: 13:6-9 The parable of the barren fig tree illustrated Jesus’ ministry to Israel. Unless the nation produced the fruit of repentance, it would face judgment. The parable is open-ended—Israel was being offered the chance to respond. Cp. Matt 21:18-19 // Mark 11:12-14 . 13:6 a fig tree: Israel was sometimes portrayed as an unfruitful fig tree or a vineyard that God would judge (Isa 5:1-7 ; Mic 7:1-2 ; see Jer 8:13 ; 24:1-10 ; Hos 9:10 ).

Summary for Luke 13:6-9: 13:6-9 ^a The parable of the barren fig tree illustrated Jesus’ ministry to Israel. Unless the nation produced the fruit of repentance, it would face judgment. The parable is open-ended—Israel was being offered the chance to respond. Cp. Matt 21:18-19 ^b // Mark 11:12-14 ^c. 13:6 ^d a fig tree: Israel was sometimes portrayed as an unfruitful fig tree or a vineyard that God would judge (Isa 5:1-7 ^e; Mic 7:1-2 ^f; see Jer 8:13 ^g; 24:1-10 ^h; Hos 9:10 ⁱ).
13:9 ^j cut it down: A stump or fallen tree was an image of judgment or destruction (cp. 3:9 ^k; see also Isa 6:13 ^l; 10:34 ^m; 11:1 ⁿ; Jer 46:22 ^o; Dan 4:23 ^p; Matt 3:10 ^q; 7:19 ^r).