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I. FROM THE SCOPE OF THE PARABLE WE MAY NOTE —

1. That temporal judgments inflicted on some should excite others to fear God's Divine wrath and vengeance.

2. No person ought to be rash to censure others on whom temporal judgments befall: there is no knowing either love or hatred by anything that is under the sun.

II. EXPLAIN THE TERMS.

1. By "a certain man," is meant the great God.

2. By "vineyard" is meant the Church of God.

(1) The Church is taken out of the field of this world.

(2) Walled or fenced in.

(a)  Defended by special providences, etc.

(b)  By holy angels.

3. But why does our Lord compare professors of religion to fig-trees?

(1) He may allude to the practice of those who had vineyards in the land of Canaan, in which they frequently planted not only vines, but fig-trees.

(2) It may be because a fig-tree that brings forth good figs requires much heat of the sun. So professors of Christianity cannot thrive so as to bring forth good fruit, but under the Divine and warm influences of the Sun of Righteousness, and the blessed gospel of God's grace.

(3) Because no tree is commonly more fruitful than the fig-tree.

(4) A fig-tree bears choice fruit.

(5) Fig-trees bear fruit all the year (see Jeremiah 17:7; Psalm 92:12-14).

(6) There are some barren fig-trees; they are not of the right kind, but seem a bastard sort of plants. So some professors, who, though they are planted in Christ's vineyard, yet are barren or fruitless; they are not true believers, but mere counterfeits, professors, that have the name of spiritual fig-trees, but not the nature.

4. "Came and sought fruit thereon."(1) God takes notice of every particular person that is planted in His vineyard.

(2) God expects fruit from each.

(3) If there be but one member in the Church that is fruitless, God will soon find him out.

5. By "three years," I understand to be meant that time God is pleased to afford to a people, a certain time being here mentioned to denote an uncertain.

(1) The first year may denote the beginning of the means of grace, which God affords to men.

(2) The second year, the proper time that fig-trees bear fruit, if not the first year, then it is expected that it brings forth fruit the second.

(3) Or it may imply that God expects sinners should bring forth quickly after they sit under the means of grace.

(4) Moreover, it may denote that the means of grace may not be of long continuance.

(5) Also it may signify God's patience.

6. "Cut it down," &c. God will not always bear with fruitless professors.

(1) God may direct His speech to His Church, and to the subordinate vinedressers. "Cut it down" by excommunication.

(2) Or God may speak to Jesus Christ. Smite his root, let him wither.

(3) Give him up to his own heart's lust.

(4) Leave him to delusions.

(5) Death.Inferences:

1. Let such as are planted in God's vineyard tremble if not fruitful in grace. The Church will be no sanctuary to such.

2. Some who are in Christ's vineyard were never planted there by God.

3. Men may have leaves, and even the appearance of fruit, and may seem to grow and flourish for a time, yet, nevertheless, may not bring forth the true and saving fruits of the Spirit.

4. The barren soul shall not stand long in God's vineyard.

7. The reason why this barren fig-tree is cut down.

(1) It is good for nothing.

(2) Another tree might grow where it stands.

(a)  Barren professors cumber poor ministers by their cross and peevish spirits.

(b)  They cumber the spirits of their pious parents.

(c)  They cumber the minds of serious Christians, members of the same Church, who are ashamed to hear of their pride, passion, idleness, &c.

(d)  They are a sad incumbrance to the whole vineyard.

(e)  They are cumbersome to God Himself (Isaiah 1:14).

(f)  They grieve and afflict the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ.

(g)  They grieve the Holy Spirit.

8. "Let it alone this year also."(1) Barren souls are spared through Christ's prayer and intercession.

(2) God is slow to anger, unwilling immediately to cut down unfruitful professors.

9. Why does Christ intercede for sinners?

(1) Because He died for them.

(2) Because He ever lives to make intercession with the Father.

(3) Because He knows that if He interceded not, no sinner could live a moment longer.

(B. Keach.)

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KJV: He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.

WEB: He spoke this parable. "A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it, and found none.