Luke 13,1-9 – Love for Asia

Repent or Perish

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.”

The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

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 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?’
8 And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around 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.’”

Introduction

Hello everyone, I am Kiki. The Chinese name of the second phase of our program is “读经大讲堂”, and the English name is “Bible Study.”

We will adopt a relaxed and enjoyable learning approach to guide you into a new world of learning. Each time, I will give a personal summary and analysis from the perspective of a learner, and then Sister Ingrid will help us go deeper and engage in discussion together.

I hope that this interesting and interactive process will bring a new learning experience to all of you. The following is my interview with Sister Ingrid on these topics. Today is the 37th lecture on the Gospel of Luke.

Everyone is welcome to leave a message in the comment section for discussion!

2. My Summary of the 37th Study of Luke

Well, everybody! First of all, here is my personal study summary for today.

This passage talks about two tragedies: Pilate killed some Galileans while they were worshiping, and a tower fell on eighteen people in Jerusalem.

At that time, many people believed that if something terrible happened to you, it meant you were a particularly bad sinner. But Jesus said, “No.” He told them not to judge others, but to examine themselves. Life is uncertain, so they needed to repent—right now, not later.

Then Jesus told a story. A man had a fig tree that had not produced fruit for three years. He wanted to cut it down because it was only taking up space. But the gardener asked for one more year. He promised to dig around it and add fertilizer. If it bore fruit, that would be good. If not, it could be cut down.

The story shows that God is patient. He gives us time and second chances. The gardener represents Jesus, who asks for more time for us and helps us grow. “Bearing fruit” means living the way God wants—not just saying that you believe.

But these opportunities do not last forever. We should not waste the time we have been given. Repentance means turning around and starting fresh while there is still time.

Now Sister Ingrid will give a deeper summary.

3. Sister Ingrid’s Comments on My Summary

Hello sister,

there is not much more to add. Often, we think that a person carries a heavy burden of sin when life becomes difficult for them. But we must also recognize that the devil can prosper, and sin ultimately leads to a terrible outcome—that we may perish and be lost forever.

So, when we have a good life, it does not mean that we are good people. At the end of our lives, we will perish and be lost if we have not repented and received Jesus as our Savior.

And the people we see going through very difficult situations are not worse than we are. As long as we do not repent, we are all on the same level.

In the parable of the fig tree, it is interesting that a fig tree is planted in a vineyard. Usually, vineyards are used for growing grapes.

The fig tree is a special tree because it bears fruit twice a year, and in the Bible it is often used as a symbol for the people of Israel.

Here, the owner of the vineyard comes looking for fruit, but there is none. The vinedresser asks for one more year of care and fertilization, and the owner allows it before the tree may be cut down.

The vinedresser is a symbol of Jesus, who intercedes for us. His death on the cross, together with the work of the Holy Spirit, is the nourishment and fertilization we receive.

It is interesting that even though the vinedresser asks for one more year, it is still said that the tree may be cut down later. This shows us an image of God’s grace: first, we receive salvation and the best conditions to bear fruit. But if fruit does not come, there will be a time when God will no longer deal with us in the same way.

In the Gospel of John, we also see that Jesus curses a barren fig tree because He was hungry and found no fruit on it.

So, being in God’s vineyard and not bearing fruit is a serious matter, as we also read in John 15. We should allow the Holy Spirit to lead us to Jesus and repent; otherwise, we will perish like in the two examples at the beginning.

4. Question Section (Based on the 37th Study of Luke)

Based on the Bible study above, I would now like to ask Sister Ingrid some related questions. We hope these questions will help new Christians.

1. Why did people tell Jesus about the Galileans whom Pilate killed?

Because they believed those Galileans were great sinners who were receiving severe punishment.

2. Why do people think bad things happen only to very sinful people?

Because nothing bad has happened to them.

Many people think that someone is suffering because God is punishing them. But they forget that suffering can lead to purification and a deeper relationship with God.

We should also remember that the devil can prosper, and if there is no struggle in our lives to bring us closer to God, it may be that God has already given us over.

3. What does “repent” mean in your own words?

Repentance means change. I become aware of my sinful way of living and change my life—from a life without God to a life with God. It also means recognizing that Jesus died in my place.

4. If a tower fell on 18 people, what would people probably say about them?

They would likely say that those people had done something wrong. It is difficult to imagine that people would show compassion.

We can examine our own hearts: do we truly feel compassion for victims of war today, or do we think they deserve it?

5. Why did the owner wait three years before cutting down the fig tree?

God is full of mercy and gives time to change. Jesus preached for three years to give people an opportunity to repent.

6. What does the gardener represent in the story?

He is a symbol of Jesus, who intercedes for us.

7. If you were the fig tree, how would you feel about getting another year?

I would be grateful and would make every effort to bear fruit during that extra year.

8. What does “bearing fruit” look like in a person’s life?

The fruit of the Spirit is described in Galatians 5:
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

9. What does it mean to just “take up space” in life?

For example, simply performing religious actions—like lighting a candle or incense—does not save the soul. Only Jesus is the true offering provided by God for salvation. External religious practices alone are not enough.

10. What does the parable teach us about God’s patience?

God gives us a second chance when we have not used our time well.