Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 13:6

"And he spake this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit thereon, and found none." — Luke 13:6 (ASV)

Once more Jesus alludes to Mic 7 , this time to Mic 7:1, with its lament over unproductive fig trees. The symbolism applies to Israel (cf. Isaiah 5:1–7). Jesus’ mention of both a fig tree and a vineyard makes the figure doubly clear. The tree is not immediately destroyed but is given an extra year of grace, even beyond the three years its owner had already waited. Israel, however, failed to recognize her season of opportunity.