Answers to Correspondents: Fig Tree and Vine

From: Words of Faith: Volume 1

Luke 13:6; Isaiah 5:1; Luke 20:9 • 1 min. read • grade level: 9

Q. Why does the Lord use the figure of the fig-tree in Luke 13:6⁶He 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. (Luke 13:6), in speaking of Israel, instead of that of the _ vine, according to Isa. 5:1¹Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: (Isaiah 5:1) and Luke 20:9⁹Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time. (Luke 20:9)?-A. B.

A. The vine as a figure stood for the nation in their original standing as the people of God. This at Babylon was exchanged for the Lo-Ammi (not my people) of the prophet. The remnant brought out of Babylon are the " fig-tree planted in the vineyard," to which the Lord came, finding it covered with the leaves of profession, looking for the fruit which should have been their accompaniment. Luke 20:9⁹Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time. (Luke 20:9) speaks of the nation from the beginning; yet, as bringing on their history to the Lord's own time, it speaks only of the vineyard, not of the vine itself. F. W. G.

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