He spoke also this parable;
A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.
All Commentaries on Luke 13:6 Go To Luke 13
Gregory The Dialogist
AD 604
But our Lord came three times to the fig tree, because He sought after man's nature before the law, under the law, and under grace, by waiting, admonishing, visiting; but yet He complains that for three years he found no fruit, for there are some wicked men whose hearts are neither corrected by the law of nature breathed into them, nor instructed by precepts, nor converted by the miracles of His incarnation.
But with great fear and trembling should we hear the word which follows, Cut it down, why cumbers it the ground. For every one according to his measure, in whatsoever station of life he is, except he show forth the fruits of good works, like an unfruitful tree, cumbers the ground; for wherever he is himself placed, he there denies to another the opportunity of working.
By the dresser of the vineyard is represented the order of Bishops, who, by ruling over the Church, take care of our Lord's vineyard.
Or, the sins of the flesh are called the dung. From this then the tree revives to bear fruit again, for from the remembrance of sin the soul quickens itself to good works. But there are very many who hear reproof, and yet despise the return to repentance; wherefore it is added, And if it bear fruit, well.
But he who will not by correction grow rich to fruitfulness, falls to that place from whence heis no more able to rise again by repentance.
But he who will not by correction grow rich to fruitfulness, falls to that place from whence heis no more able to rise again by repentance.
