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Parable of the barren fig tree facts for kids

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Teachings of Jesus 36 of 40. parable of the fig tree. Jan Luyken etching. Bowyer Bible
What the owner found

The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree is a story Jesus told. You can find it in the Book of Luke (chapter 13, verses 6-9) in the New Testament of the Bible. This story is about a fig tree that didn't grow any fruit. It's different from another story Jesus told about a fig tree that did bud.

What Jesus Taught: The Story of the Fig Tree

Jesus told this story to his listeners:

A man had a fig-tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any.

So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, "For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig-tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?"
"Sir," the man replied, "leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig round it and fertilise it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down."

– Luke 13:6–9

Understanding the Parable: What the Story Means

This parable uses everyday things to teach an important lesson.

Ficus Carica 1
What the owner wants

Who is Who in the Story?

  • The owner of the vineyard stands for God.
  • The fig tree represents people, especially those who follow Jesus. It can also stand for the city of Jerusalem.
  • The vineyard where the tree grows is the world.
  • The gardener (or vinedresser) who takes care of the tree is Jesus.

The Main Message of the Parable

Fig trees are often planted in vineyards. The owner expected the tree to produce good fruit. In the story, "fruit" means good actions or changes in people's lives that come from the Holy Spirit.

This story shows that God gives people chances to change their ways. The "three years" in the story can mean the time Jesus spent teaching people on Earth. He was giving them a chance to listen and change. The gardener asking for one more year shows Jesus asking God for more time for people to improve.

This parable is linked to another event where Jesus cursed a fig tree that had no fruit. It teaches us that God expects us to do good things and that we have a chance to make things right.

Related Pages

  • Figs in the Bible
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