Daily Bible Reading 29th September 2026 // Luke 13:1-9
1 There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
6 And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 And he said to the vine dresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ 8 And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig round it and put on manure. 9 Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”
The opening verses of this chapter continue the solemn note of what goes before them, and there are a number of obvious links between what is said here and what we have already noted in the previous chapter. For one thing, the emphasis in the parable of the rich farmer in 12:16ff is on life being a stewardship we receive from God and for which we will be called to give an account; and here, in the parable of the fig-tree the emphasis lies precisely here: the tree (which represents Israel) is called to give an account of its 'stewardship', and when found barren, judgment is threatened. The vinedresser pleads for a little longer time, and further opportunity is given to it to become fruitful. It is this parable that affords the distinctive lessons here, for it underlines so much in God's dealings with men, in mercy and in judgment. But, first, we need to look at the encounter that precedes it and our Lord's answer to the Jews who spoke to Him about Pilate's barbarous dealings with the Galileans. This we shall do in tomorrow's Note.