Parable of the barren fig tree

God, in his mercy, repeatedly checks on believers to see if they have borne fruit worthy of their baptism and conversion.

Christ, therefore, is the keeper of the vine, that is, of the synagogue, to whom God said, "Cut it down, for now for three years in which Thou hast preached to it, I have looked for the fruit of faith and good works, and I find none, from the unbelief, perverseness, and malice of the Jews."

Christ intercedes for it, that the Father would allow Him to tend it by His preaching for one year more, or, at least, for half an one; and then, if it gave no fruit, it might be cut down.

"[4] In the Protestant interpretation of this parable, the owner is generally regarded as representing God the Father, who had a fig tree planted in his vineyard and came seeking fruit.

However, as a righteous judge, he must eventually visit the unforgiven iniquity (which is a different Hebrew word than transgression and sin – Deuteronomy 24:16) to the "third or fourth" generation of those that continue to reject him.

The gardener pleads for mercy in the third year/generation and promises to create the best conditions for the fourth year/generation to bear the fruit of repentance before the full consequences of the iniquity would be realised.

In either case, the parable reflects Jesus offering a chance for repentance and forgiveness of sin, showing his grace toward his believers.

Now that the tree is entering its productive period, the vinedresser has saved it from the ax, without letting the master know what happened to the earlier fruit.

[citation needed] Although the parable is found only in the Gospel of Luke, the other two synoptics instead include Jesus cursing the fig tree with some remarkable coincidences.