The Fig Tree Given More Time

Jesus told a parable about a man who had a fig tree planted in his vineyard. The owner came looking for fruit on the tree, but he found none. The story begins with a tree planted in a place meant for growth, yet no fruit was there.

The owner said to the vineyard worker that for three years he had come looking for fruit on that fig tree and had found none. He told the worker to cut it down. In his view, the tree was only using the soil.

But the worker answered, asking for one more year. He wanted the tree left alone for that time so he could dig around it and put fertiliser on it. He asked for more time and more care before the owner made the final decision.

Then the worker named the two possible outcomes. If the tree bore fruit after that, that would be good. If not, the owner could cut it down. Jesus ended the parable there, leaving his listeners to think about mercy, warning, and the fruit God looks for.