Name: Gwyneth Alethea Gumapac & Apple Grace Rosales Subject: ReEd 2

Offer Code: 16089 Schedule: TTH (6:00-7:30 pm)

PARABLE REFLECTION OF LUKE 13:6-9 “THE BARREN OF THE FIG TREE”

The parable of the barren fig tree that can be found in Luke 13:6–9, is a
powerful representation of God's love and patience for those whose lives are
lacking in fruit. The parable addresses a universal human experience of feeling
as though one is not living up to one's potential or not measuring up to others'
expectations. It also serves as a parable of second chances and hope, showing
us that it is never too late to make changes and start bearing fruit that is
good.

In the parable, a man owns a vineyard and he discovers that one of his fig
trees is not producing any fruit for three years. He becomes frustrated and
decides to cut it down, but the gardener pleads with him to give it one more
chance. The gardener promises to care for the tree and give it extra attention,
hoping that it will bear fruit in the future. The owner agrees to this request,
and the parable ends with the suggestion that the tree will be judged by its
future actions.

The gardener stands in for God's patience and mercy toward us, and the fig
tree is a potent allegory for our own lives. We are given numerous chances to
produce fruit and bring about beneficial changes in our life, just like the fig
tree, but occasionally we are unable to do so. In our darkest moments, we
might believe that we are useless and that our lives are meaningless. This
story serves as a reminder that even when it seems like we are not bearing
fruit, God is still waiting for us to change our ways and start realizing our full
potential.
The parable's vineyard owner stands in for the judgment we frequently
encounter in life. It's crucial to keep in mind that even though we could feel
like we are being judged or punished for our mistakes, nothing has ended as
a result of this judgment. God is willing to give us another chance and to
support us in overcoming our shortcomings, just as the gardener in the
parable.

In conclusion, the Barren Fig Tree Parable serves as a reminder that everyone
has a purpose and is capable of bearing fruit in their lives. God is always there,
waiting for us to change our lives, no matter how long it takes or how many
times we fail. It is up to us to seize the chances that God presents us with and
to use them to advance and become the persons that we were meant to be.
Name: Gwyneth Alethea Gumapac & Apple Grace Rosales Subject: ReEd 2

Offer Code: 16089 Schedule: TTH (6:00-7:30 pm)

REPORT SUMMARY

“THE PARABLE OF THE BARREN FIG TREE”

CONTENT:

- The parable tells a man who had been coming for three years looking
for fruit and suggests that the House of Israel had been given enough
time to repent and heed the word of God. The man's desire to cut down
the tree represents God's judgment on unfruitful Israel. However, the
keeper of the vineyard pleads to give the fig tree another year, and his
commitment to dig around it and put manure represents God's mercy
and desire for Israel to repent and bear fruit.
- The vineyard represents the House of Israel or the people of God. The
keeper of the vineyard is Jesus Christ himself and the fig tree represents
His individual believers.

CONTEXT:

Who is speaking?

- The parable is spoken by Jesus Christ himself.

To whom the passage is addressed?

- The passage is addressed to his disciples and to his individual believers.

How do the original recipients understood the instruction?

- The original recipients of this instruction would have understood it as a

warning for the House of Israel to repent. They would have understood
that if they will not repent, they will face the judgment of the Lord
according to their actions, and they too shall be perished. And in order
 for them to repent and bear fruit, they would need to cultivate their
spiritual being by heeding the word of God. By being kind, doing good
work, and obedience to God. They also would have understood God's
patience and given his people a chance to ponder their sins and take
action to repent. For God is merciful in dealing with His people.

What are the circumstances under which the narrative was written?

- The circumstances under which the narrative was written were when
Jesus was teaching his disciples and listeners and when some of the
presents at that time told Jesus about the unfortunate fate of some
Galileans and those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on
them. He said to his disciples in Luke 13:2-5, “Do you think that these
Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they
suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will
all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell
on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living
in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all
perish.”
- The parable emphasizes the importance of repentance and judgment. It
also emphasizes the keeper's plea for mercy and a second chance.

COMPARISON:

Parable of the Barren Similarities Parable of the Lost

Fig Tree Sheep
-It is found in Luke -Both parables use the -It is found in Matthew
13:6-9. metaphor of a caretaker 18:10-14.
or shepherd who is
responsible for looking
 after something that is
not producing or is lost.
-The story is about a fig -Both parables use the -The story is about a
tree that doesn't image of a second shepherd who leaves 99
produce any fruit for chance or a last sheep to search for one
three years despite opportunity to turn lost sheep.
being tended to by a things around.
gardener.
-The owner of the -Both parables teach -When he finds the lost
vineyard wants to cut it about God's mercy and sheep, he rejoices and
down, but the gardener patience. celebrates with his
pleads for it to be given friends.
another chance.
-The parable teaches -Both parables use -The parable teaches
that everyone deserves everyday objects (a fig that God cares for each
a second chance, and tree and a lost sheep) to individual person, even
God is patient and convey spiritual truths. if they are lost or
merciful. considered insignificant,
and He will go to great
lengths to bring them
back to Him.

CULTURE:

- The fig tree in the bible is also symbolic of Israel itself—it often
symbolized the health of the nation both spiritually and physically.
- Fig trees were important in Jewish culture as a symbol of prosperity and
peace. In the Old Testament, it was common to describe a peaceful and
prosperous society as one where every person could sit under their own
vine and fig tree.
 - The parable can also be seen as a critique of the religious leaders of the
time who were not bearing spiritual fruit. The barren fig tree may
represent the religious leaders who were not producing good works or
leading the people toward God.
- The cultural context of the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree reflects the
importance of fig trees in Jewish culture, critiques the spiritual
fruitlessness of the religious leaders, and offers a message of hope and
second chances for all who seek God.

CONSULTATION:

- The New Bible Commentary: "The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree is a
warning against complacency and a call to repentance. The tree
represents the nation of Israel, which had not borne fruit for many
years. The owner of the vineyard represents God, who is patient with
His people but also expects them to bear fruit. The gardener represents
Jesus, who intercedes for sinners and seeks to cultivate them to produce
good works. The parable reminds us that God's judgment is just, and
we must take our spiritual lives seriously."
- Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: “This parable of the
barren fig tree is intended to enforce the warning given just before: the
barren tree, except it brings forth fruit, will be cut down. This parable in
the first place refers to the nation and people of the Jews. Yet it is,
without doubt, for awakening all that enjoy the means of grace, and the
privileges of the visible church. When God has borne long, we may hope
that he will bear with us yet a little longer, but we cannot expect that
he will bear always.”
- The Expositor's Bible Commentary: "The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree
is a powerful illustration of God's grace and mercy towards sinners. The
tree represents all of us who have fallen short of God's standards and
are in need of repentance. The owner of the vineyard represents God,
who is patient and long-suffering with sinners, but also just and holy.
The gardener represents Christ, who intercedes for sinners and works
to cultivate them to bear fruit. The parable teaches us that we must
respond to God's grace and mercy with repentance and good works.”