Luke 13:8

KJV

And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung [it]:

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} he answering {G611} said {G3004} unto him {G846}, Lord {G2962}, let {G863} it {G846} alone {G863} this {G5124} year {G2094} also {G2532}, till {G2193}{G3755} I shall dig {G4626} about {G4012} it {G846}, and {G2532} dung {G906}{G2874} it:

Complete Jewish Bible

But he answered, ‘Sir, leave it alone one more year. I’ll dig around it and put manure on it.

Berean Standard Bible

‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone again this year, until I dig around it and fertilize it.

American Standard Version

And he answering saith unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 13:8 presents the compassionate plea of the vineyard keeper in Jesus' Parable of the Barren Fig Tree. This verse captures a moment of fervent intercession, where the keeper asks the owner for an extension of grace—one more year—for the unproductive tree. He offers to intensify his efforts, promising to "dig about it, and dung [it]," symbolizing a final, laborious attempt at cultivation to encourage fruitfulness before judgment is enacted. This highlights themes of divine patience, the opportunity for repentance, and the diligent work required for spiritual growth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 13:8 is an integral part of the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree, recounted by Jesus in [Luke 13:6-9](/luke/13-6-9 "Luke 13:6-9 - The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree"). This parable immediately follows Jesus' stern warnings about the necessity of repentance, prompted by reports of Galileans massacred by Pilate and the collapse of the tower in Siloam ([Luke 13:1-5](/luke/13-1-5 "Luke 13:1-5 - Repent or Perish")). Jesus uses these tragic events not as divine punishment for specific sins, but as object lessons to underscore that "except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" ([Luke 13:3](/luke/13-3 "Luke 13:3 - Call to Repentance")). The parable serves as a vivid illustration of this principle, portraying God's patience and the limited window of opportunity for a response before inevitable judgment. The fig tree, having failed to produce fruit for three years, faces the owner's decree to be cut down, symbolizing the consequence of unrepentance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Fig trees were a common and valuable crop in ancient Israel, often planted in vineyards alongside grapevines. They were expected to yield fruit within a few years of planting, typically by the third or fourth year. A barren fig tree represented a significant economic loss and a waste of valuable land and resources. The practice of "digging about" a tree involved loosening the soil around its roots to improve aeration and water absorption, while "dunging" meant applying manure to enrich the soil with nutrients. These were standard, labor-intensive horticultural practices aimed at maximizing a tree's productivity. The parable would have resonated deeply with Jesus' audience, who understood the agricultural realities and the expectation of fruit from cultivated land. The imagery of a vineyard owner expecting fruit and a diligent gardener working the land was highly relatable.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Luke's Gospel and biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Patience and Longsuffering**. Despite the fig tree's prolonged barrenness, the owner (representing God) is persuaded to grant a final reprieve, demonstrating God's reluctance to bring immediate judgment and His desire for repentance and fruitfulness, a theme echoed in [2 Peter 3:9](/2_peter/3-9 "2 Peter 3:9 - God's Patience for Repentance"). Secondly, the verse highlights the **Intercession of Christ**. Many commentators interpret the vineyard keeper as a symbolic representation of Jesus Christ, who stands between humanity and divine judgment, pleading for an extension of grace and actively working to bring about spiritual transformation. This aligns with Christ's role as our great High Priest who "always lives to intercede" for His people ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Intercession")). Finally, the verse emphasizes the **Urgency of Fruitfulness and Repentance**. While patience is extended, it is not indefinite. The "one more year" signifies a finite period of grace, impressing upon the audience the critical need to respond to God's cultivation efforts by producing the spiritual fruit of righteousness and genuine repentance, as Jesus consistently calls for throughout [Luke's Gospel](/luke "The Gospel According to Luke").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Lord (Greek, _kýrios'_):** This term, used by the vineyard keeper when addressing the owner, signifies supreme authority and mastership. In the context of the parable, it highlights the owner's ultimate right to decide the fate of the tree. The keeper's plea is an appeal to the sovereign will of the one in charge, demonstrating respect and submission while making a request for mercy.
* **let it alone (Greek, _aphíēmi'_):** This verb means "to send forth," but in this context, it carries the sense of "to leave," "to permit," or "to forgive." The keeper is asking the owner to "leave it alone" or "let it be" for another year, effectively pleading for a stay of execution and a temporary suspension of judgment. It conveys the idea of granting a reprieve or a period of grace.
* **dung (Greek, _kopría'_):** Referring specifically to manure or ordure, this word emphasizes the humble, often unpleasant, yet essential and nutrient-rich substance used to fertilize soil. Its inclusion highlights the intensive, practical, and sometimes unglamorous work the keeper is willing to undertake to promote the tree's growth. It signifies a radical, nourishing intervention designed to overcome barrenness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he answering said unto him, Lord,"**: This phrase introduces the vineyard keeper's response to the owner's command to cut down the barren fig tree. The keeper addresses the owner with respect, acknowledging his authority ("Lord"), setting the tone for a humble yet earnest intercession.
* **"let it alone this year also,"**: This is the core of the keeper's plea. He asks for a single additional year of grace for the unproductive tree. The word "also" implies that the tree has already been given ample time (three years, as stated in [Luke 13:7](/luke/13-7 "Luke 13:7 - The Owner's Impatience")), and this request is for an extraordinary extension of patience.
* **"till I shall dig about it, and dung [it]:"**: This clause details the specific, laborious actions the keeper proposes to undertake during the extended year. "Dig about it" refers to loosening the soil around the roots, improving aeration and nutrient absorption. "Dung [it]" means applying manure to fertilize the soil, providing essential nutrients. These actions signify a commitment to intensive cultivation, a final, desperate effort to nurture the tree into fruitfulness.

#### Literary Devices
The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree, and specifically [Luke 13:8](/luke/13-8 "Luke 13:8 - The Gardener's Plea"), is rich in **Symbolism**. The "fig tree" is a common biblical symbol for Israel, and by extension, for individuals or communities who have received God's grace and cultivation but have not produced spiritual fruit. The "owner of the vineyard" clearly symbolizes God, who has legitimate expectations of fruitfulness from His people. The "vineyard keeper" or "gardener" is widely understood as a **Metaphor** for Jesus Christ, who intercedes on behalf of humanity before the Father. His proposed actions—"digging about it, and dunging it"—are **Metaphorical** for the various means God employs (through His Word, trials, the Holy Spirit, the Church's ministry) to cultivate spiritual growth and repentance in barren lives. The entire narrative functions as an **Allegory**, where the literal elements of the story correspond to deeper spiritual truths about divine patience, human responsibility, and the urgency of repentance in the face of impending judgment. The contrast between the owner's immediate desire for judgment and the keeper's plea for patience highlights the **Dramatic Tension** inherent in God's justice and mercy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 13:8 profoundly illustrates the tension between divine justice and divine mercy, a central theological theme throughout Scripture. God, as the righteous owner, has every right to expect fruit from His creation and to enact judgment upon barrenness. Yet, this verse reveals His profound patience and willingness to extend grace through the intercession of another. It underscores that while God's judgment is real and inevitable for unrepentance, His primary desire is for reconciliation and fruitfulness, providing every possible opportunity for transformation. This divine patience is not an endorsement of continued barrenness but a precious, time-limited invitation to repentance and a life that bears fruit for His glory.

* [Romans 2:4](/romans/2-4 "Romans 2:4 - God's Kindness Leads to Repentance")
* [Ezekiel 33:11](/ezekiel/33-11 "Ezekiel 33:11 - God Desires Repentance, Not Death")
* [Hebrews 10:26-27](/hebrews/10-26-27 "Hebrews 10:26-27 - Warning Against Willful Sin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 13:8 serves as a powerful mirror for personal and communal reflection, urging us to examine the fruitfulness of our lives in light of God's enduring patience and diligent cultivation. It asks us to consider whether we are merely occupying space in God's vineyard or actively bearing the spiritual fruit He desires—fruit of repentance, righteousness, love, and service. The gardener's willingness to "dig about it, and dung [it]" reminds us that spiritual growth often requires uncomfortable, laborious work: breaking up hardened ground in our hearts, removing obstacles, and embracing the nourishing (though sometimes unpleasant) truths of God's Word and the disciplines of faith. This verse is a call to urgent action, recognizing that while God's grace is vast, it is not infinite. We are given opportunities, and we must respond with intentionality, striving to live lives that genuinely honor the One who has invested so much in our spiritual well-being. It also challenges us to embody the intercessory heart of the gardener, praying for and actively nurturing those around us who may be struggling to bear fruit.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "fruit" does God expect to see in my life, and where might I be barren?**
* **In what areas of my life do I need God to "dig about" and "dung" me, even if it feels uncomfortable?**
* **Am I actively responding to God's cultivation efforts, or am I taking His patience for granted?**
* **How can I embody the intercessory spirit of the gardener in my prayers and actions for others who are spiritually struggling?**

### FAQ
**Who does the gardener in the parable represent, and what do his actions signify?**

Answer: The gardener (or vineyard keeper) is widely interpreted as representing Jesus Christ. His actions—pleading with the owner for an extension of grace for the barren fig tree and offering to "dig about it, and dung [it]"—symbolize Christ's tireless intercession for humanity before God the Father. It signifies His compassionate work of cultivation, applying the necessary spiritual nourishment, discipline, and teaching (like the Word of God and the work of the Holy Spirit) to bring about repentance and fruitfulness in those who have not yet responded to God's grace. This highlights Jesus' active role in seeking our redemption and growth, even when we are unproductive.

**What does the "three years" of barrenness and the "one more year" of grace signify?**

Answer: In the parable, the "three years" of barrenness likely represent a period of significant opportunity and expectation that has passed without the desired fruit. The number three often signifies completeness or a sufficient period of testing. The "one more year" signifies a final, urgent extension of divine patience and grace. It implies that God's patience, while immense, is not indefinite. There is a limited window of opportunity for repentance and change before judgment, emphasizing the urgency of responding to God's call to bear fruit. This aligns with Jesus' repeated warnings to "repent or perish" found in [Luke 13:3](/luke/13-3 "Luke 13:3 - Call to Repentance") and [Luke 13:5](/luke/13-5 "Luke 13:5 - Call to Repentance").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 13:8 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus' own life, ministry, and atoning work. The gardener's passionate plea and willingness to undertake laborious cultivation perfectly prefigure Christ's ultimate intercession and sacrifice. Jesus, as the divine Son, stands between a holy God and a barren humanity, pleading for grace rather than immediate judgment. His entire earthly ministry was an act of "digging about" and "dunging"—tilling the hardened soil of human hearts with His teaching, healing, and confronting sin, providing the spiritual nourishment of His truth and grace. Ultimately, His crucifixion was the supreme act of sacrificial "dunging," where His shed blood became the life-giving fertilizer for a spiritually dead world, enabling true fruitfulness. Through His death and resurrection, Christ not only interceded for us but also provided the means for us to be grafted into the true vine ([John 15:1-5](/john/15-1-5 "John 15:1-5 - Jesus, the True Vine")), empowering us to bear much fruit for God's glory. His ongoing work as our High Priest ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Intercession")) continues to be an act of intercession, ensuring that God's patience endures for those who turn to Him, offering every opportunity for repentance and life.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Peter 3:9

¶ The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Joel 2:17

Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where [is] their God?

Romans 11:14

If by any means I may provoke to emulation [them which are] my flesh, and might save some of them.

Jeremiah 14:13

Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place.

Jeremiah 14:18

If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine! yea, both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know not.

Jeremiah 15:1

¶ Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, [yet] my mind [could] not [be] toward this people: cast [them] out of my sight, and let them go forth.

Romans 10:1

¶ Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.