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Luke 13:9
ESV Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”
NIV If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.''
NASB and if it bears fruit next year, fine; but if not, cut it down.’?'
CSB Perhaps it will produce fruit next year, but if not, you can cut it down.' "
NLT If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down.’'
KJV And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

What does Luke 13:9 mean?

This finishes Jesus' series of lessons on the same theme: timely reconciliation prevents unwanted judgment. He started by warning a crowd to make restitution to people they have wronged before the magistrate gets involved (Luke 12:57–59). He then used current events to explain their lives could end at a moment's notice; they need to repent to God while they can (Luke 13:1–5). Now, He teaches that God's patience with Israel has an expiration date. If the nation does not turn to Him, He will cut them down like a fig tree that no longer provides fruit (Luke 13:6–8).

John the Baptist gave the same warning before Jesus started His public ministry. Pharisees and Sadducees came to the Jordan River to watch him baptize people who agreed with his message that they needed to repent of their sins against God. John warned them that being a Jew would not save them from God's righteous judgment. God was well able to create children for Himself from the rocks in the ground (Luke 3:8). As for Israel, he said, "Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire" (Luke 3:9).

Despite the vinedresser—Jesus—asking the owner—God—for just a little more time, John's warning turned true. The nation of Israel did not "bear fruits in keeping with repentance" (Luke 3:8). They did not repent of their corporate sins and follow God and His Son. In AD 70, God used the axe of the Roman army to cut down Jerusalem and scatter the people for nearly two thousand years.

There is hope, however. During the horrors of the tribulation, Israel will return to God and welcome His Son's return. Jesus, the Branch of Jesse that rises from the stump of Israel (Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5), will be their King.
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