Answers to Correspondents: Fig Tree and Vine

Narrator: Chris Genthree

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 13:6,⁶He 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.

Click here to show subject links in the text for more information.