this parable . Combining the fig tree and the vineyard. See John 15:1 .
a fig tree. The symbol of Israel's national privilege. See notes on Judges 9:8-12 . Here it denotes that special privilege of that generation. Compare Jeremiah 24:3 .Hosea 9:10 . Matthew 21:19 .
dresser of vineyard . One word in Greek. Occurs only here. Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .
these three years . Can refer only to the period of the Lord's ministry. The texts add aph' hou = from which, or since (three years). on. Greek. en. App-104 .
cut it down = cut it out: i.e. from among the vines.
cumbereth it the ground = injureth it the soil also. The Authorized Version omits this "also", though it stands in the Greek text.
cumbereth. Greek. katargeo. Only here in the Gospels. Twenty-five times in the Epistles in the sense of vitiate. See Romans 3:3 .
spirit. Greek. pneuma. An evil demon. App-101 .12.
of = causing. Genitive of Origin. App-17 .
eighteen years . A type of the condition of the nation. A long-standing case, as "Signs" "C" and "C". App-176 .
bowed together = bent double. Occurs only here in N.T.
could in no wise lift = wholly unable to lift, &c.
in no wise . Not. Greek. ou me, as in Luke 13:35 ; but me eis to panteles = not unto the furthest extent = unable to the uttermost. Occurs only here (complete human inability), and Hebrews 7:25 (complete Divine ability).
lift up. Occurs only here, Luke 21:28 and John 8:7 , John 8:10 in the N.T.
Jerusalem, Jerusalem . Figure of speech Epizeuxis ( App-6 ). See note on Genesis 22:11 . Repeated on the second day before the Passover (Matthew 23:37 ). See App-156 .
killest the prophets. See Luke 11:47 ; Luke 20:14 ; Luke 23:34 . Compare Isaiah 1:21 .
would I have gathered = I desired to gather. Compare Luk 13:36
children . App-108 .
hen . Specially contrasted with "fox", Luke 13:32 . Compare Matthew 23:37 .
your house = the Temple. It had been Jehovah's house. Compare John 2:16 . Now it was no longer owned as His. Compare Luke 19:46 .
desolate . Every place is "desolate" where Christ is not.
verily. See note on Matthew 5:18 .
not = by no means. Greek. ou me. App-105 . until. Greek. heos an all the texts omit "an", but it does not alter the conditional sense, which is in the verb).
Blessed. Figure of speech Benedictio, as in Luke 1:42 ; Luke 19:38 ; not Beatitude, as in Luke 12:37 , Luke 12:38 , Luke 12:43 , or Luke 14:14 , Luke 14:15 . Quoted from Psalms 118:26 . Referring to the final and national repentance of Israel, which might have been then (Acts 3:18-20 )near, but Acts 28:25-28 is yet future, while all blessedness has been postponed.
Bibliographical Information Bullinger, Ethelbert William. "Commentary on Luke 13". "Bullinger's Companion bible Notes". https://studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bul/luke-13.html. 1909-1922.
Verse 1
were present = arrived.
at = in. Greek. en. App-104 . Not the same word as in Luke 13:24 .
told Him = telling Him.
of = about. Greek. peri. App-104 .
Galilaeans . . . Pilate. Probably the cause of the enmity of Luke 23:12 .
with . Greek. meta. App-104 .
Verse 2
Jesus ( App-98 . X). Read "He" with [L] T Tr. A WI R.
were = happened to be.
sinners = defaulters. Connecting it with Luke 12:58 .
above . Greek para. App-104 .
suffered = have suffered.
Verse 3
tell = say to.
Nay . Greek. ouchi. App-105 .
except ye repent = if ( App-118 ) ye repent ( App-111 ) not ( App-105 ).
Verse 4
upon . Greek. epi. App-104 .
in . Greek en. App-104 . Not the same word as in Luke 13:21 .
Siloam. See App-68 . Compare Nehemiah 3:16 . Isaiah 8:6 . John 19:7 .
slew = killed.
men. Greek. anthropos. App-123 .
Verse 6
this parable . Combining the fig tree and the vineyard. See John 15:1 .
a fig tree. The symbol of Israel's national privilege. See notes on Judges 9:8-12 . Here it denotes that special privilege of that generation. Compare Jeremiah 24:3 .Hosea 9:10 . Matthew 21:19 .
vineyard . Psalms 80:8-11 . Compare Isaiah 5:2 , &c.
thereon = on (Greek. en. App-104 .) it.
none = not ( App-105 . a) any.
Verse 7
unto . Greek. pros. App-104 .
dresser of vineyard . One word in Greek. Occurs only here. Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .
these three years . Can refer only to the period of the Lord's ministry. The texts add aph' hou = from which, or since (three years). on. Greek. en. App-104 .
cut it down = cut it out: i.e. from among the vines.
cumbereth it the ground = injureth it the soil also. The Authorized Version omits this "also", though it stands in the Greek text.
cumbereth. Greek. katargeo. Only here in the Gospels. Twenty-five times in the Epistles in the sense of vitiate. See Romans 3:3 .
Verse 8
Lord. App-98 .
this : i.e. this third year.
about . Greek. peri. App-104 .
dung it = put manure. Greek. kopria. Only here, and Luke 14:35 .
Verse 9
if , &c. App-118 .
not . Greek. mege, compound of me. App-105 .
after that in (Greek. eis. App-104 .) the future.
thou shalt . Note, not I will.
Verse 10
sabbath . Plural See on Luke 24:1 .
Verse 11
spirit. Greek. pneuma. An evil demon. App-101 .12.
of = causing. Genitive of Origin. App-17 .
eighteen years . A type of the condition of the nation. A long-standing case, as "Signs" "C" and "C". App-176 .
bowed together = bent double. Occurs only here in N.T.
could in no wise lift = wholly unable to lift, &c.
in no wise . Not. Greek. ou me, as in Luke 13:35 ; but me eis to panteles = not unto the furthest extent = unable to the uttermost. Occurs only here (complete human inability), and Hebrews 7:25 (complete Divine ability).
lift up. Occurs only here, Luke 21:28 and John 8:7 , John 8:10 in the N.T.
Verse 12
saw. App-133 .
loosed. Used of disease only here in N.T., because she had been bound with a demoniac band. See note on Mark 7:35 .
Verse 13
made straight = set upright again. Greek. anorthoo. Occurs only here, Acts 16:16 . Hebrews 12:12 . Compare am = again, in analuo Luke 12:36 ("return ").
Verse 14
not . Greek. me. App-105 .
Verse 15
hypocrite. See note on Luke 11:44
not. Greek. ou. App-105 .
loose. Compare note on Luke 13:12 , and see the Structure.
from. Greek. apo. App-104 .
Verse 16
ought. The same word as the ruler's, but as an Interrogative. The former was based on ceremonial law; the Lord's, on the necessity of Divine love.
daughter. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species), App-6 . for descendant.
lo. Greek. idou. App-133 . Same as Behold, Luke 13:7 .
bond. See note on Mark 7:35 .
Verse 17
when He had said = while He was saying.
ashamed = put to shame
for = at. Greek. epi. App-104 .
done = coming to pass.
by . Greek. hupo. App-104 .
Verse 18
Then said He, &c. Repeated with variations from Matthew 13:31 , &c.
Unto what . . . ? Compare Isaiah 40:18 .
the kingdom of God . App-114 .
Verse 19
into . Greek. eis. App-104 .
waxed = became into (Greek. eis).
great. Omit [L] T [Tr. A] WH R.
fowls = birds.
the air = the heaven. Singular. See notes on Matthew 6:9 , Matthew 6:10 .
lodged = nested. Greek. kataskenoo. Occurs four times: here; Matthew 13:32 .Mark 4:32 , Acts 2:26 .
Verse 21
leaven. See note on Matthew 13:33 .
in. Greek. eis. App-104 .
Verse 22
through . Greek. kata. App-104 .
journeying = progressing.
toward . Greek. eis . App-104 .
Verse 23
Lord . App-98 . A.
are there = if ( App-118 . a) there are.
be = are being.
Verse 24
Strive = Struggle, literally agonize. Occurs elsewhere only in John 18:36 . 1 Corinthians 9:25 .Colossians 1:29 ; Colossians 4:12 . 1 Timothy 6:12 . 2 Timothy 4:7 .
at = through. Greek. dia. App-104 .Luke 13:1 .
strait = narrow.
gate . All the texts read "door", as in Luke 13:25 . In Matthew 7:13 it is "gate".
Verse 25
When once = From (Greek. apo. App-104 . iv) whatsoever time. master of the house. App-98 .
is risen up = may have risen up (Greek. an).
shut to . Occurs only here.
Lord, Lord . Note the Figure of speech Epizeuxis ( App-6 ), for emphasis. See note on Genesis 22:11 .
I know. Greek. oida. App-132 .
whence : i, e. of what family or household.
Verse 26
in Thy presence = before Thee.
Thou hast taught , &c. This shows to whom these words are addressed, and thus limits the interpretation to "this generation".
Verse 27
iniquity = unrighteousness. Greek adikia. App-128 .
Verse 28
weeping = the weeping. See note on Matthew 8:12 .
when . Defining the special occasion.
see . App-133 .
thrust out = being cast outside. This is the occasion referred to.
Verse 29
they shall come . A reference to Isaiah 49:12 .
and . Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton. App-6 .
sit down = recline (at table). Compare Luke 7:36 ; Luke 12:37 .
Verse 31
The same day = In, or on, &c. (Greek. en. App-104 .) = just then.
day . LT Tr. WH R read" hour".
certain of the Pharisees = certain Pharisees.
will = wishes: i.e. means to. See App-102 .
Verse 32
fox . Figure of speech Hypocatastasis. App-6 .
devils = demons.
do cures = perform, or effect cures.
cures. Occurs only here
and Acts 4:22 , Acts 4:30 .
I shall be perfected = I come to an end [of My work]: viz. by the miracle of John 11:40-44 . Compare John 19:30 .
Verse 33
walk = journey: i.e. through Herod's country.
it cannot be = it is not ( App-105 .) fitting. Greek. endechomai. Occurs only here in N.T.
a prophet. See next verse.
out of: i.e. except in.
Verse 34
Jerusalem, Jerusalem . Figure of speech Epizeuxis ( App-6 ). See note on Genesis 22:11 . Repeated on the second day before the Passover (Matthew 23:37 ). See App-156 .
killest the prophets. See Luke 11:47 ; Luke 20:14 ; Luke 23:34 . Compare Isaiah 1:21 .
would I have gathered = I desired to gather. Compare Luk 13:36
children . App-108 .
hen . Specially contrasted with "fox", Luke 13:32 . Compare Matthew 23:37 .
under. Greek. hupo. App-104 .
ye would not = ye did not desire it.
Verse 35
your house = the Temple. It had been Jehovah's house. Compare John 2:16 . Now it was no longer owned as His. Compare Luke 19:46 .
desolate . Every place is "desolate" where Christ is not.
verily. See note on Matthew 5:18 .
not = by no means. Greek. ou me. App-105 . until. Greek. heos an all the texts omit "an", but it does not alter the conditional sense, which is in the verb).
Blessed. Figure of speech Benedictio, as in Luke 1:42 ; Luke 19:38 ; not Beatitude, as in Luke 12:37 , Luke 12:38 , Luke 12:43 , or Luke 14:14 , Luke 14:15 . Quoted from Psalms 118:26 . Referring to the final and national repentance of Israel, which might have been then (Acts 3:18-20 )near, but Acts 28:25-28 is yet future, while all blessedness has been postponed.
He That cometh = the coming One.
LORD = Jehovah. App-4 and App-98 .