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Luke 13:9

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 13:9 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and if it bear fruit thenceforth, [well]; but if not, thou shalt cut it down.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and if it bear fruit thenceforth, [well]; but if not, thou shalt cut it down.
Luke 13:9 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 13

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6And he spake this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit thereon, and found none.
7And he said unto the vinedresser, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why doth it also cumber the ground?
8And he answering saith unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
9and if it bear fruit thenceforth, [well]; but if not, thou shalt cut it down.
10And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath day.
11And behold, a woman that had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years; and she was bowed together, and could in no wise lift herself up.
12And when Jesus saw her, he called her, and said to her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And if it bear fruit, well, etc.] If hereby barren professors, as the Jews, become fruitful, it is well, a good thing is done; it is well for themselves, they shall eat the fruit of their doings; it is well for the churches where they are, for good works are profitable to men; and it is well for the owner of the vineyard, and the dresser of it too, for when Christ has his fruit from his churches, his ministers have theirs also: and if not, then after that; “for the time to come”, as the Vulgate Latin; or “year following”, as the Persic version renders it: thou shall cut it down; do with it as thou pleasest, nothing more will be said or pleaded in its behalf; full consent shall be given, and…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“if . . . fruit, well--Genuine repentance, however late, avails to save (Luk 23:42-43). after that, &c.--The final perdition of such as, after the utmost limits of reasonable forbearance, are found fruitless, will be pre-eminently and confessedly just (Pro 1:24-31; Eze 24:13).”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“13:9 cut it down: A stump or fallen tree was an image of judgment or destruction (cp. 3:9; see also Isa 6:13; 10:34; 11:1; Jer 46:22; Dan 4:23; Matt 3:10; 7:19).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“if not: Ezr 9:14, Ezr 9:15; Psa 69:22-28; Dan 9:5-8; Joh 15:2; Th1 2:15; Heb 6:8; Rev 15:3, Rev 15:4, Rev 16:5-7 Luke 13:10”
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Related study paths

Read Luke 13 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification