Untitled Sermon (4)

Notes

vv. 1-5 - The News

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 1313:1–5 Continuing the theme of judgment from ch. 12, Jesus uses two calamities that befell certain Jews to illustrate the fate that awaits those who do not repent. This material is unique to Luke’s Gospel.

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 1313:1–5 The incidents concerning Pilate killing the Galileans and the fall of the tower in Siloam are not recorded elsewhere in Scripture.

Luke: Crossway Classic Commentaries The Absolute Necessity of Repentance (13:1–5)People talk more readily about other people’s deaththan about their own

MacArthur Study Bible NASB Commentary13:1 Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. This incident is in keeping with what was known about the character of Pilate. Evidently, some worshipers from Galilee were condemned by Rome—perhaps because they were seditious zealots (see note on Mt 10:4)—and were sought out and killed in the temple by Roman authorities while in the process of offering a sacrifice. Such a killing would have been the grossest sort of blasphemy. Incidents like this inflamed the Jews’ hatred of Rome and finally led to rebellion, and the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.

v. 1 - the tragedy

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 13whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices Refers to the killing of Galilean pilgrims as they were offering sacrifices in Jerusalem. Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judaea from AD 26 to 36, apparently ordered their deaths. No other details are known, as these verses give the only account of this incident.

v. 2 - the want for understanding

MacArthur Study Bible NASB Commentary13:2 greater sinners. It was the belief of many that disaster and sudden death always signified divine displeasure over particular sins (cf. Job 4:7). Those who suffered in uncommon ways were therefore assumed to be guilty of some more severe immorality (cf. Jn 9:2).

v. 3 - the reality and call to repentance

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 13unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Though Jesus regularly has compassion on those who suffer, here he draws a broader lesson: this tragic event is a warning that final judgment is coming to the entire world.

Luke: Crossway Classic Commentaries The Absolute Necessity of Repentance (13:1–5)The nature of true repentance is unmistakably laid down in holy Scripture. It begins with knowledge of sin. It goes on to mourning over sin. This leads to confession of sin before God. Repentance demonstrates itself to men by a complete break with sin. It results in habitual deep hatred of all sin. Above all, it is inseparably connected with living faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance like this characterizes all true Christians.

Luke: Crossway Classic Commentaries The Absolute Necessity of Repentance (13:1–5)Ford quotes a saying of Philip Henry’s which is worth reading: “Some people do not like to hear much about repentance. But I think it is so necessary, that if I should die in the pulpit, I would wish to die preaching about repentance; and if I should die out of the pulpit, I would wish to die practicing it.”

MacArthur Study Bible NASB Commentary13:3 unless you repent. Jesus did not deny the connection between catastrophe and human evil, for all such afflictions ultimately stem from the curse of humanity’s fallenness (Ge 3:17–19). Furthermore, specific calamities may indeed be the fruit of certain iniquities (Pr 24:16). But Christ challenged the people’s notion that they were morally superior to those who suffered in such catastrophes. He called all to repent, for all were in danger of sudden destruction. No one is guaranteed time to prepare for death, so now is the time for repentance for all (cf. 2 Cor. 6:2).

MacArthur Study Bible NASB Commentaryyou will all likewise perish. These words prophetically warned of the approaching judgment of Israel, which culminated in the catastrophic destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Thousands in Jerusalem were killed by the Romans. See note on Mt 23:36.

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 13unless you repent you will all perish Jesus uses this incident (and that mentioned in Luke 13:4) to illustrate the necessity of repentance. Jesus’ references to perishing (vv. 3, 5) involve more than physical death; they look ahead to the final judgment, the context of his teachings in ch. 12. If His hearers did not repent, then they too would meet a catastrophic end.

v. 4 - another tragedy

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 13The tower in Siloam was probably part of the wall of Jerusalem near the pool of Siloam.

MacArthur Study Bible NASB Commentary13:4 Siloam. An area at the S end of the lower city of Jerusalem, where there was a well known pool (cf. Jn 9:7, 11). Evidently one of the towers guarding the aqueduct collapsed, perhaps while under construction, killing some people. Again, the question in the minds of people was regarding the connection between calamity and iniquity (“worse culprits”). Jesus responded by saying that such a calamity was not God’s way to single out an especially evil group for death, but as a means of warning to all sinners. Calamitous judgment was eventually coming to all if they did not repent.

v. 5 - the reality and call to repentanceWhat is meant by the word “likewise”?

vv. 6-9 - The Parable

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 1313:6–9 This parable is found only in Luke, but it resembles Jesus’ rebuke of the fig tree in the other Synoptic Gospels (Matt 21:18–19; Mark 11:12–14). The primary point of the parable, expressed in Luke 13:8–9, continues the theme of judgment.

Luke: Crossway Classic Commentaries The Parable of the Unfruitful Fig Tree (13:6–9)We learn, first, from this passage that where God gives spiritual privileges, he expects proportionate returns. Our Lord teaches this lesson by comparing the Jewish church of his day to “a fig tree, planted in his vineyard” (verse 6). This was exactly the position of Israel in the world. They were separated from other nations by the Mosaic laws and ordinances no less than by the position of their land. They enjoyed a favored relationship with God which no other people had. Things were done for them which were never done for Egypt, Nineveh, Babylon, Greece, or Rome. It was only just and right that they should bear fruit to God’s praise. It might be reasonably expected that there would be more faith and penitence and holiness and godliness in Israel than among the pagans. This is what God looked for.

Luke: Crossway Classic Commentaries The Parable of the Unfruitful Fig Tree (13:6–9)But we must look beyond the Jewish church if we are to see the full meaning of this parable. We must look to the Christian churches. They have light and truth and doctrines and precepts which the ungodly have never heard of. How great is their responsibility. Is it not just and right that God should expect “fruit” from them? We must look to our own hearts. We live in a land of Bibles and liberty and Gospel preaching. How vast are the advantages we enjoy compared with Chinese and Hindus. Never let us forget that God expects “fruit” from us.

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 1313:6–9 This parable symbolizes Israel’s last opportunity to repent before experiencing God’s judgment.

CSB Study Bible: Notes Chapter 1313:6–9 The fig tree is often used as a symbol for the nation of Israel (Mt 24:32–33; Mk 11:12–14). Though young fig trees are slow to begin bearing fruit, three years was a sufficient length of time for trees to become mature and thus fruitful. The extra year requested by the vineyard worker represented one final chance for the trees to become fruitful. Otherwise they would be cut … down. This parable thus referred to Israel’s last chance before judgment. If they rejected Jesus’s message and miracles, the time for patience would be ended. But a future hope for Israel remains (Rm 11).

v. 6 - looking for fruit

MacArthur Study Bible NASB Commentary13:6 fig tree. Often used as a symbol for Israel (see notes on Mt 21:19; Mk 11:14). In this case, however, the parable’s lesson about fruitlessness applies equally to the whole nation, and to each individual soul.

v. 7 - no need for the barren tree

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 13Three years signifies that Israel has had enough time to repent.

three years being roughly the length of Jesus’ public ministrya waste of space in the Kingdom of God

Luke: Crossway Classic Commentaries The Parable of the Unfruitful Fig Tree (13:6–9)“For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any” (verse 7). “Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?” (verse 7). Here is a warning for all professing churches of Christ. If their ministers do not teach sound doctrine and their members do not live holy lives, they are in imminent danger of destruction. The axe is lying near the root of many an unfruitful church; the sentence could yet be, “Cut it down!” Here also is a warning to the unconverted. Many people in church congregations have heard the Gospel preached faithfully for hundreds of Sundays and yet have never embraced it. The Lord of the vineyard may say to such people, “I have come for many years looking for fruit but have found none, so cut the tree down.”

v. 8 - one more year to bear fruit

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 13Sir, let it alone this year. The period of grace and opportunity is extended, but only for a limited time.

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 13Dig around it implies loosening the soil so that water can flow easily to the roots

Luke: Crossway Classic Commentaries The Parable of the Unfruitful Fig Tree (13:6–9)“Sir, leave it alone for one more year” (verse 8). Surely we see here God’s loving-kindness and the mediation of Christ.

Luke: Crossway Classic Commentaries The Parable of the Unfruitful Fig Tree (13:6–9)Matthew Henry says correctly that “had it not been for Christ’s intercession, the whole world would have been cut down.”

MacArthur Study Bible NASB Commentary13:8 Let it alone … this year. This illustrates both the intercession of Christ and the extreme patience and graciousness of the Father.

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 1313:8 leave it alone this year also Suggests a period of grace. The gardener advises the vineyard owner to give the fig tree more time; perhaps it can be nurtured, so that it will bear fruit. Earlier in Luke, both John the Baptist and Jesus referred to a fruit-bearing tree as a metaphor for obedience to God (compare 3:8–9; 6:43–44). Jesus could be indicating here that His call for repentance and obedience is accompanied by a period of grace, during which God’s final judgment is delayed. It could also be that Jesus is referring to the period of time before He Himself came to judge the religious leadership of Jerusalem, just as Jesus curses a fig tree in symbolism of His judgment against them.

v. 9 - bear fruit or be cut down

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 13if the fig tree does not respond, it will be cut … down (cf. vv. 34–35; 19:41–44). The Greek construction suggests that this last attempt will also result in failure. God’s graciousness and patience should not be presumed upon.

Luke: Crossway Classic Commentaries The Parable of the Unfruitful Fig Tree (13:6–9)And now, are we fruitful or unfruitful? This, after all, is the question that concerns us most. What does God see in us year after year? Let us take heed so to live that he may see fruit in us.