The Meaning of Luke 13:9 Explained

Luke 13:9

KJV: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

YLT: and if indeed it may bear fruit -- ;and if not so, thereafter thou shalt cut it off.'

Darby: and if it shall bear fruit but if not, after that thou shalt cut it down.

ASV: and if it bear fruit thenceforth, well ; but if not, thou shalt cut it down.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And if  it bear  fruit,  [well]: and if not,  [then] after that  thou shalt cut  it  down. 

What does Luke 13:9 Mean?

Context Summary

Luke 13:1-9 - Both Repentance And Fruitfulness Required
Our Lord did not hesitate to hang great lessons on passing events. It is a great art to lead men's thoughts from the outward and transient to the unseen and eternal. God often gives us texts in the happenings of His providence, and when men's hearts are awed and softened there is a conspicuous opportunity for striking home.
We have no right to suppose that sudden disasters prove the presence of special sin in those who are involved in them. Sin is avenged in this life, but rather in the natural sequences than by some sudden "act of God." Accidents are not necessarily punishments, and we who witness the sad fate of others have no right to congratulate ourselves on our moral or spiritual superiority. Instead of judging others, let us look to ourselves and repent.
The parable of the fig-tree, with its three years of effort to secure fruitfulness, was intended primarily for the Jewish nation favored with our Lord's three years of ministry. But it is of universal application. God is always seeking fruit; love is ever pleading, but sometimes may have to acquiesce in judgment. [source]

Chapter Summary: Luke 13

1  Jesus preaches repentance upon the punishment of the Galilaeans and others
6  The fruitless fig tree may not stand
10  He heals the crooked woman;
18  shows the powerful working of the word, by the parable of the grain of mustard seed,
20  and of leaven;
22  exhorts to enter in at the strait gate;
31  and reproves Herod and Jerusalem

Greek Commentary for Luke 13:9

And if it bear fruit thenceforth [καν μεν ποιησηι καρπον εις το μελλον]
Aposiopesis, sudden breaking off for effect (Robertson, Grammar, p. 1203). See it also in Mark 11:32; Acts 23:9. Trench (Parables) tells a story like this of intercession for the fig tree for one year more which is widely current among the Arabs today who say that it will certainly bear fruit this time. [source]
And if it bear fruit, well; and if not, then after that []
Join afar that with bear fruit. “If it bear fruit for the future ( εἰς τὸ μέλλον , Rev., thenceforth )well; but if not, thou shalt cut it down.” Trench (“Parables”) cites an Arabian writer's receipt for curing a palm-tree of barrenness. “Thou must take a hatchet, and go to the tree with a friend, unto whom thou sayest, 'I will cut down this tree, for it is unfruitful.' He answers, 'Do not so, this year it will certainly bear fruit.' But the other says, 'It must needs be - it must be hewn down;' and gives the stem of the tree three blows with the back of the hatchet. But the other restrains him, crying, 'Nay, do it not, thou wilt certainly have fruit from it this year, only have patience with it, and be not overhasty in cutting it down; if it still refuses to bear fruit, then cut it down.' Then will the tree that year be certainly fruitful and bear abundantly.” Trench adds that this story appears to be widely spread in the East. [source]
Thou shalt cut it down []
The vine-dresser does not say, “I will cut,” but refers that to the master. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Luke 13:9

Acts 23:9 And what if a spirit hath spoken to him or an angel? [ει δε πνευμα ελαλησεν αυτωι η αγγελοσ]
This is aposiopesis, not uncommon in the N.T., as in Luke 13:9; John 6:62 (Robertson, Grammar, p. 1203). See one also in Exodus 32:32. [source]

What do the individual words in Luke 13:9 mean?

and if indeed it should bear fruit in the [time] so be it If however not you will cut down it
κἂν μὲν ποιήσῃ καρπὸν εἰς τὸ μέλλον εἰ δὲ μή¦γε ἐκκόψεις αὐτήν

κἂν  and  if 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: κἄν  
Sense: and if.
μὲν  indeed 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: μέν  
Sense: truly, certainly, surely, indeed.
ποιήσῃ  it  should  bear 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ποιέω  
Sense: to make.
καρπὸν  fruit 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: καρπός  
Sense: fruit.
τὸ  the  [time] 
Parse: Article, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
μέλλον  so  be  it 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: μέλλω  
Sense: to be about.
δὲ  however 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
ἐκκόψεις  you  will  cut  down 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Active, 2nd Person Singular
Root: ἐκκόπτω  
Sense: to cut out, cut off.