What’s the meaning of the parable of the sterile fig tree?

Luke 13:6Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. 7So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?' 8" 'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. 9If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.' "

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What’s the meaning of the parable of the sterile fig tree?
it can be made to mean whatever you want it to. Like if you want something to grow you should practice good farming techniques.
Reply:Please watch this video, or if you find it too annoying, look at some of the other material on this site. Please give these ideas a fair chance, and if they bear no fruit, then I still wish you all the best.



http://www.godisimaginary.com/video7.htm



as far as religions or systems of beliefs go, why not try secular humanism?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secular_hum...

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Reply:people are like the tree. created for the purpose of being productive.

if you fail to bear fruit, then you are wasting alot of resources i.e. you are useless and deserve to be cut down.

however the delay in doing this signifies God's mercy for us. that's why we call him the God of another chance. he is patient with us inspite of our weaknesses. all the same if we do not turn around, we could still reach the point of no return.
Reply:remembering this is a parable and not history or exacting prophesy, the following is my opinion.



Jesus was talking to Jews and His targets were the Jewish leadership. These had not delivered spiritual growth to their nation. Jesus would be the gardener who asked for a years delay in axing them. He did fertize and nurture and they did not respond thus I believe they have been cut off. According to Paul it may be temporary, as they may be grafted back in



The Jews knew He was talking to them note their reaction
Reply:The fig tree has long been understood to be a symbol for Israel.



It was God himself who invested thousands of years into the cultivation of his chosen people, only to receive little or no fruit for his efforts.
Reply:Don't give up on things too easily.. give them a fair chance.
Reply:Sometimes there is a period when the word of God is planted in the new beleivers heart and it takes time for it to produce its effect on the persons life that are visible. But the word of God does not come back void weather it is convicting you in death or turning you from a drug dealer to a person that is a new creation and has made a change his mom would be proud of
Reply:Try this site for it's opinion on what it means"

http://theshovel.net/writings/dig.asp?TI...