Luke 13:8
New International Version
“’Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it.

New Living Translation
“The gardener answered, ‘Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer.

English Standard Version
And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure.

Berean Standard Bible
‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone again this year, until I dig around it and fertilize it.

Berean Literal Bible
And answering, he says to him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I shall dig around it, and put in manure,

King James Bible
And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:

New King James Version
But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.

New American Standard Bible
But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, leave it alone for this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer;

NASB 1995
“And he answered and said to him, ‘Let it alone, sir, for this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer;

NASB 1977
“And he answered and said to him, ‘Let it alone, sir, for this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer;

Legacy Standard Bible
And he answered and said to him, ‘Let it alone, sir, for this year too, until I dig around it and put in manure,

Amplified Bible
But he replied to him, ‘Let it alone, sir, [just] one more year until I dig around it and put in fertilizer;

Christian Standard Bible
“But he replied to him, ‘Sir, leave it this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“But he replied to him, Sir, leave it this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.

American Standard Version
And he answering saith unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:

Contemporary English Version
The gardener answered, "Master, leave it for another year. I'll dig around it and put some manure on it to make it grow.

English Revised Version
And he answering saith unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"The gardener replied, 'Sir, let it stand for one more year. I'll dig around it and fertilize it.

Good News Translation
But the gardener answered, 'Leave it alone, sir, just one more year; I will dig around it and put in some fertilizer.

International Standard Version
But the gardener replied, 'Sir, leave it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and fertilize it.

Majority Standard Bible
‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone again this year, until I dig around it and fertilize it.

NET Bible
But the worker answered him, 'Sir, leave it alone this year too, until I dig around it and put fertilizer on it.

New Heart English Bible
He answered, 'Lord, leave it alone this year also, until I dig around it, and fertilize it.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he answering, said to him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:

Weymouth New Testament
"But the gardener pleaded, "'Leave it, Sir, this year also, till I have dug round it and manured it.

World English Bible
He answered, ‘Lord, leave it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he answering says to him, Lord, permit it also this year, until I may dig around it, and cast in dung;

Berean Literal Bible
And answering, he says to him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I shall dig around it, and put in manure,

Young's Literal Translation
'And he answering saith to him, Sir, suffer it also this year, till that I may dig about it, and cast in dung;

Smith's Literal Translation
And he having answered says to him, Lord, let it go also this year, till I shall dig round it, and cast dung:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But he answering, said to him: Lord, let it alone this year also, until I dig about it, and dung it.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But in response, he said to him: ‘Lord, let it be for this year also, during which time I will dig around it and add fertilizer.

New American Bible
He said to him in reply, ‘Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it;

New Revised Standard Version
He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The laborer said to him, My lord, let it remain this year also, until I work it and fertilize it.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
The cultivator said to him, 'My Lord, leave it also this year, while I shall cultivate it and I shall manure it',
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But he answered and said to him, Sir, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and throw in manure;

Godbey New Testament
And responding he says to him, Lord, let it alone also this year, until I shall dig about it, and cast manures:

Haweis New Testament
He answering said to him, Sir, let it e’en remain this year, until that I dig around it, and spread some manure:

Mace New Testament
to which he made answer, sir, let it alone one year longer, till I shall dig about it, and dung it.

Weymouth New Testament
"But the gardener pleaded, "'Leave it, Sir, this year also, till I have dug round it and manured it.

Worrell New Testament
But he, answering, says to him, 'Lord, leave it this year also, until I dig about it, and cast in fertilizers.

Worsley New Testament
And he said to him, Sir, let it alone this year also, till I dig about it, and lay dung to it:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree
7So he said to the keeper of the vineyard, ‘Look, for the past three years I have come to search for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Therefore cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ 8‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone again this year, until I dig around it and fertilize it. 9If it bears fruit next year, fine. But if not, you can cut it down.’ ”…

Cross References
John 15:1-8
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard. / He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful. / You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ...

Matthew 3:10
The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

Isaiah 5:1-7
I will sing for my beloved a song of his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. / He dug it up and cleared the stones and planted the finest vines. He built a watchtower in the middle and dug out a winepress as well. He waited for the vineyard to yield good grapes, but the fruit it produced was sour! / “And now, O dwellers of Jerusalem and men of Judah, I exhort you to judge between Me and My vineyard. ...

Matthew 7:19
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Romans 11:17-24
Now if some branches have been broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others to share in the nourishment of the olive root, / do not boast over those branches. If you do, remember this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. / You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” ...

Jeremiah 8:13
I will take away their harvest, declares the LORD. There will be no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the tree, and even the leaf will wither. Whatever I have given them will be lost to them.”

John 15:16
You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will remain—so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.

Matthew 21:19
Seeing a fig tree by the road, He went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. “May you never bear fruit again!” He said. And immediately the tree withered.

Hosea 9:10
I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness. I saw your fathers as the firstfruits of the fig tree in its first season. But they went to Baal-peor, and consecrated themselves to Shame; so they became as detestable as the thing they loved.

Psalm 80:8-16
You uprooted a vine from Egypt; You drove out the nations and transplanted it. / You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land. / The mountains were covered by its shade, and the mighty cedars with its branches. ...

Mark 11:12-14
The next day, when they had left Bethany, Jesus was hungry. / Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if there was any fruit on it. But when He reached it, He found nothing on it except leaves, since it was not the season for figs. / Then He said to the tree, “May no one ever eat of your fruit again.” And His disciples heard this statement.

Ezekiel 15:1-8
Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, / “Son of man, how does the wood of the vine surpass any other branch among the trees in the forest? / Can wood be taken from it to make something useful? Or can one make from it a peg on which to hang utensils? ...

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, / gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Micah 7:1
Woe is me! For I am like one gathering summer fruit at the gleaning of the vineyard; there is no cluster to eat, no early fig that I crave.

Hebrews 6:7-8
For land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is tended receives the blessing of God. / But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless, and its curse is imminent. In the end it will be burned.


Treasury of Scripture

And he answering said to him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:

Lord, let.

Exodus 32:11-13,30-32
And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? …

Exodus 34:9
And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.

Numbers 14:11-20
And the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them? …

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Luke 13
1. Jesus preaches repentance upon the punishment of the Galilaeans and others.
6. The fruitless fig tree may not stand.
10. He heals the crooked woman;
18. shows the powerful working of the word, by the parable of the grain of mustard seed,
20. and of leaven;
22. exhorts to enter in at the strait gate;
31. and reproves Herod and Jerusalem.














Sir
The term "Sir" in this context is a respectful address to the owner of the vineyard. In Greek, the word used is "κύριε" (kurie), which is often translated as "Lord" or "Master." This indicates a recognition of authority and respect. In the broader scriptural context, it reflects the relationship between God and humanity, where God is the ultimate authority and caretaker. The use of "Sir" here sets the tone for a plea or request, acknowledging the owner's right to make decisions about the vineyard.

the man replied
This phrase introduces the response of the vinedresser, who is an intermediary between the owner and the fig tree. The vinedresser's role is crucial, as he represents patience and intercession. Historically, vinedressers were skilled laborers responsible for the care and cultivation of vineyards, which required knowledge and dedication. In a spiritual sense, this can be seen as a representation of Christ or spiritual leaders who intercede on behalf of others, advocating for mercy and additional time for growth and repentance.

leave it alone
The phrase "leave it alone" is a request for patience and forbearance. In Greek, the word "ἄφες" (aphes) is used, which can mean to forgive, permit, or let be. This reflects a theme of grace and mercy, emphasizing the importance of giving opportunities for change and improvement. In the biblical narrative, it underscores God's patience with humanity, allowing time for repentance and transformation.

this year also
The mention of "this year also" indicates a specific period of grace. It suggests a limited time frame in which the fig tree is given another chance to bear fruit. This can be seen as a metaphor for the period of grace God extends to individuals, urging them to repent and produce spiritual fruit. The concept of time is significant in biblical teachings, often highlighting the urgency of repentance and the finite nature of earthly life.

until I dig around it
The action to "dig around it" implies effort and intervention. In agricultural terms, digging around a tree would aerate the soil and allow for better water and nutrient absorption. Spiritually, this can be interpreted as the work of the Holy Spirit or the church in nurturing and encouraging growth in believers. It suggests that sometimes external intervention is necessary to stimulate spiritual growth and fruitfulness.

and fertilize it
Fertilizing the tree represents the provision of necessary nutrients to promote growth. In a spiritual context, this can be seen as the teaching of the Word of God, prayer, and fellowship with other believers, which nourish and strengthen one's faith. The use of fertilizer symbolizes the means by which God provides for spiritual development, ensuring that individuals have the resources needed to grow and bear fruit in their lives.

(8) And dung it.--Literally, and put dung. Homely as the imagery is, it suggests fertilising and gracious influences not less vividly than the dew or rain from heaven, and points, perhaps, specifically to such as are working on us in our earthly surroundings, as contrasted with the directly supernatural action of God's grace.

Verse 8. - And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it. The last year - the year of grace they who listened to him then were living in. It was the last summons to repentance, the final reminder to the old covenant people that to their high privileges as the chosen race there were duties attached. They prided themselves on the privileges, they utterly forgot the duties. The period represented by this last year included the preaching of John the Baptist, the public ministry of Jesus Christ, and the forty years of apostolic teaching which followed the Crucifixion and Resurrection. The last chance was given, but in the Vinedresser's prayer to the Lord of the vineyard there is scarcely a ray of hope. The history of the world supplies the sequel to this parable-story.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
‘Sir,’
Κύριε (Kyrie)
Noun - Vocative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

[the man] replied,
λέγει (legei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

‘leave it alone
ἄφες (aphes)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 863: From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications.

again
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

this
τοῦτο (touto)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

year,
ἔτος (etos)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2094: A year. Apparently a primary word; a year.

until
ἕως (heōs)
Preposition
Strong's 2193: A conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until.

I dig
σκάψω (skapsō)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 4626: To dig, excavate. Apparently a primary verb; to dig.

around
περὶ (peri)
Preposition
Strong's 4012: From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.

it
αὐτὴν (autēn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

fertilize [it].
κόπρια (kopria)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2874: Manure; a dung-hill. From kopros; manure.


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NT Gospels: Luke 13:8 He answered 'Lord leave it alone this (Luke Lu Lk)
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