^13:6Then¹² Jesus¹³ told this parable: “A man had a fig tree¹⁴ planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. ^13:7So¹⁵ he said to the worker who tended the vineyard, ‘For¹⁶ three years¹⁷ now, I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and each time I inspect it¹⁸ I find none. Cut¹⁹ it down! Why²⁰ should it continue to deplete²¹ the soil?’ ^13:8But the worker²² answered him, ‘Sir, leave it alone this year too, until I dig around it and put fertilizer²³ on it. ^13:9Then if²⁴ it bears fruit next year,²⁵ very well,²⁶ but if²⁷ not, you can cut it down.’ ”

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Footnotes

12 Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
13 Grk “he”; the referent has been specified in the translation for clarity.
14 The fig tree is a variation on the picture of a vine as representing the nation; see Isa 5:1–7.
15 Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate the man’s response as a result of the lack of figs in the preceding clause.
16 Grk “Behold, for.”
17 The elapsed time could be six years total since planting, since often a fig was given three years before one even started to look for fruit. The point in any case is that enough time had been given to expect fruit.
18 The phrase “each time I inspect it” is not in the Greek text but has been supplied to indicate the customary nature of the man’s search for fruit.
19 Several witnesses (𝔓75 A L Θ Ψ 070 f13 33 579 892 lat co) have “therefore” (οὖν, oun) here. This conjunction has the effect of strengthening the logical connection with the preceding statement but also of reducing the rhetorical power and urgency of the imperative. In light of the slightly greater internal probability of adding a conjunction to an otherwise asyndetic sentence, as well as significant external support for the omission (א B D W f1 𝔐), the shorter reading appears to be more likely as the original wording here. puts the conjunction in brackets, indicating some doubts as to its authenticity.
20 Grk “Why indeed.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
21 Such fig trees would deplete the soil, robbing it of nutrients needed by other trees and plants.
22 Grk “he”; the referent (the worker who tended the vineyard) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
23 Grk “toss manure [on it].” This is a reference to manure used as fertilizer.
24 This is a third class condition in the Greek text. The conjunction καί (kai, a component of κάν [kan]) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
25 Grk “the coming [season].”
26 The phrase “very well” is supplied in the translation to complete the elided idea, but its absence is telling.
27 This is a first class condition in the Greek text, showing which of the options is assumed.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

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. And he said to the vinedresser, ‘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?’ And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”

NIVNew International Version (2011)

Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’

“ ‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’ ”

CSBChristian Standard Bible

And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree that was planted in his vineyard. He came looking for fruit on it and found none. He told the vineyard worker, ‘Listen, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it even waste the soil?’

“But he replied to him, ‘Sir, leave it this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. Perhaps it will produce fruit next year, but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”

NLTNew Living Translation

Then Jesus told this story: “A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed. Finally, he said to his gardener, ‘I’ve waited three years, and there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it down. It’s just taking up space in the garden.’

“The gardener answered, ‘Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down.’ ”

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

And he told this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it and did not find any. So he said to the gardener, ‘Behold, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree and did not find any. Cut it down! Why should it even exhaust the soil?’ But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, leave it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put manure on it. And if indeed it produces fruit in the coming year, so much the better, but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”

KJV 1900King James Version

He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

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