Devine Scripture

Luke 13:6

What does Luke 13:6 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 13:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 13:6 means

Jesus then began to speak a parable concerning a fig tree planted in a vineyard. The owner of the vineyard came looking for fruit on his tree, an expectation that was natural given the care it would have received. However, despite his search, he found no fruit. This simple scenario introduces the central problem of the parable: an unfruitful plant occupying valuable space.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he spake this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit thereon, and found none.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he spake this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit thereon, and found none.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he made up this story for them: A certain man had a fig-tree in his garden, and he came to get fruit from it, and there was no fruit.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And he spake this simile: `A certain one had a fig-tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit in it, and he did not find;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

He spoke also this parable: A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard: and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he spoke this parable: A certain [man] had a fig-tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit upon it and did not find [any].

Context

Having just emphasized the necessity of repentance in response to tragic events, Jesus now shifts to a parable that illustrates God's patience and expectation of spiritual fruit. This verse introduces the core image of the fig tree, moving from direct exhortation to a narrative that metaphorically explores the consequences of unfruitfulness in light of God's grace and eventual judgment.

v.5I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

v.6This passage

v.7And he said unto the vinedresser, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why doth it also cumber the ground?

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 21:19

    And seeing a fig tree by the way side, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only; and he saith unto it, Let there be no fruit from thee henceforward for ever. And immediately the fig tree withered away.

  • Isaiah 5:1

    Let me sing for my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved had a vineyard in a very fruitful hill:

  • John 15:16

    Ye did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that ye should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

  • Luke 20:10

    And at the season he sent unto the husbandmen a servant, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty.

  • Jeremiah 2:21

    Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate branches of a foreign vine unto me?

  • Galatians 5:22

    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

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