The Parable of the Fruitless Fig Tree – repent or perish

The Parable of the Fruitless Fig Tree – repent or perish. Have you heard of the parable of the fruitless fig tree? Do you know why “repent or perish” is in the title along with the name of the parable? If not, you’re probably not alone. You see, the parable of the fruitless fig tree is kind of “hidden” under a section titled “Repent or Perish” in the 1984 NIV.

When you read it, the concept of the tree without fruit and the warning of repent or perish makes sense.

Well, it should make sense to Christians.

However, I believe there’s more to it than we might think.

It sounds fruitless-fig-tree focused. But what if we look at a larger view? Look at a context beyond just the one passage. It’s 9 verses. Three paragraphs.

However, having said that, it’s also part of Luke’s Gospel. It’s something Jesus said. And, it’s a parable. Therefore, we must be on the lookout for the deeper meaning. Something beyond one little fig tree. Beyond something like the image of that one tree, surrounded by dirt and scrub brush.