Our study here has to do with the parable of the barren fig tree. What is Jesus' point? what is he trying to show? As the parable has it a certain man had planted a fig tree, and naturally expected to find fruit at the proper time. However, the tree bore no fruit and so he determined to cut it down. At the intercession of the one in charge of the vineyard, he agreed to let the tree grow for one more year. Then if it was still fruitless, it would be hewn down.

In the opening verses of this chapter there is emphasis laid on the matter of "repentance" (vv. 3, 5). Jesus mentions two situations that preceded the destruction of some, showing that they were not "special sinners" of some kind. The point is that all will perish without repentance. He then follows this up with the parable of our text. It is a parable further stressing the need for repentance.

One of the things that Jesus stressed over and over was the fruitlessness of hos own nation; they rejected him when he came, and so they were encouraged by men like John to "bring forth fruit meet for repentance" (Matt. 3:8). In spite of their stubbornness, God was patient with them; he bore their obstinate attitudes toward him and his coming kingdom. Yet without repentance, destruction would ultimately come. This is clearly seen in the parable.

As we consider verse seven, we see "the dresser of the vineyard." He probably does not represent any one person; only to show that more patience is pleaded for on behalf of the nation. Perhaps in time they would "bear fruit." Certainly enough time has gone by for fruit to be borne, yet they still rejected Christ as the Messiah. The foreman of the vineyard then is seen as one pleading for more patience toward the tree. Then if, after another year, indicating an indefinite period of time, the fruit was not forthcoming, the tree would be cut down. This period may represent Christ as he came to the nation, giving them one more opportunity and hope; and so they received a last chance.

Therefore, in the parable, the tree must represent the Jewish nation. It had failed in spite of the patience and longsuffering of Christ. Therefore, it was destined to be destroyed. In the preaching of John we find him urging the Jews to repentance. They had put their trust in their Abrahamic descent, but he warned them that this was not sufficient (Matt. 3:9); God was able of the stones lying around to raise up sons to Abraham!

Then note the stunninng prediction by John - "the axe is laid unto the root of the tree" (Matt. 3:10). Why? The Jews had refused to repent and turn to Christ, therefore the "Jewish tree" was going down! And so we find a good deal of help from John in his discourse to the Jews in Matthew chapater three in understanding the parable of our text. Then just 37 years after Jesus came, the Jewish nation did indeed fall at the destruction of Jerusalem. The "axe" had done its work; the nation failed to bring forth proper fruit in accepting Christ. So in spite of all the work of the apostles and Jesus during his personal ministry, the barrenness of the nation remained.

Did they repent? A few did; most did not. Therefore, judgment could only come to the Jewish nation. - Bill Moseley