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.

LUKE 13:6KJV
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Luke 13:6 (KJV)

What does Luke 13:6 mean?

Luke 13:6 describes Jesus telling a story about a man who had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and when he came looking for fruit on the tree, he found none. The verse sets up a lesson about expectations and disappointment when something does not produce the results it should.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to a crowd, using a parable—a simple story with a deeper meaning. The man represents someone with a reasonable hope for fruit from his fig tree, but his search is met with emptiness. This opening verse introduces the situation and prepares the listener for the point Jesus will make in the following verses.

The Greek behind Luke 13:6

  • The word "parable" (παραβολή, parabolē) means a story laid alongside real life to illustrate a point. Here, it signals that Jesus is about to teach through a comparison, not just recount an event.
  • The word "vineyard" (ἀμπελῶν, ampelōn) shows the tree is in a place meant for growth and fruitfulness, not a wild or neglected area. This detail highlights that the lack of fruit is not due to poor conditions.
  • The phrase "sought fruit" (ἐζήτει καρπὸν, ezētei karpon) uses a word for actively searching or expecting something. The owner is not just curious; he has a right to expect results.

Why Luke 13:6 matters

  • This verse clears up that the fig tree’s failure is not due to neglect or bad soil, but something lacking in the tree itself, sharpening the focus on responsibility.
  • The story’s setting in a vineyard, with an attentive owner, emphasizes that the expectation for fruit is fair and reasonable.
  • Understanding this setup helps the reader see the seriousness of the lesson Jesus is about to teach about fruitfulness and accountability in the following verses.

Where else these words appear

“planted” Greek G5452 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 15:13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.
  • Luke 17:6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.
  • 1 Corinthians 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

“tree” Greek G4808 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 21:19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.
  • Mark 11:13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.
  • Luke 21:29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;

“vineyard” Greek G290 · used in 21 verses

  • Matthew 20:1 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.
  • Matthew 21:33 Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:
  • Mark 12:9 What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others.

“parable” Greek G3850 · used in 48 verses

  • Matthew 13:3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
  • Matthew 24:32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
  • Luke 8:4 And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable: