Luke 13:9
What does Luke 13:9 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 13:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 13:9 means
The vinedresser sets a condition for the extended grace: if the tree bears fruit in the coming year, it will be allowed to remain. However, if it remains barren even after this final intensive effort, then the judgment will proceed, and it will be cut down. This stark ultimatum underscores that God's patience, while immense, is not endless. There is a definitive limit to the grace offered, after which accountability for persistent unfruitfulness will be met.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and if it bear fruit thenceforth, well; but if not, thou shalt cut it down.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and if it bear fruit thenceforth, well; but if not, thou shalt cut it down.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And if, after that, it has fruit, it is well; if not, let it be cut down.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and if indeed it may bear fruit--;and if not so, thereafter thou shalt cut it off.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And if happily it bear fruit: but if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and if it shall bear fruit — but if not, after that thou shalt cut it down.
Context
This verse concludes the parable of the barren fig tree, presenting the ultimate outcome based on the tree's future productivity. It serves as a strong reinforcement of the earlier call to repentance, illustrating that persistent unfruitfulness, despite extended grace, will inevitably lead to judgment. The parable thus moves from a narrative of delayed judgment to a clear statement of final accountability, setting the stage for observing true spiritual fruit in the next section.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Daniel 9:5
we have sinned, and have dealt perversely, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even turning aside from thy precepts and from thine ordinances;
- Psalms 69:22
Let their table before them become a snare; And when they are in peace, let it become a trap.
- Revelation 16:5
And I heard the angel of the waters saying, Righteous art thou, who art and who wast, thou Holy One, because thou didst thus judge:
- Revelation 15:3
And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, O Lord God, the Almighty; righteous and true are thy ways, thou King of the ages.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:15
who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove out us, and please not God, and are contrary to all men;
- Hebrews 6:8
but if it beareth thorns and thistles, it is rejected and nigh unto a curse; whose end is to be burned.
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