εἰς τὸ μέλλον : if it bear the coming year well (εὖ ἔχει understood). ἐκκόψεις, if not, thou shalt cut it down thou, not I. It depends on the master, though the vinedresser tacitly recognises that the decision will be just. He sympathises with the master's desire for fruit. Of course when the barren tree is removed another will be planted in its place. The parable points to the truth taught in Luke 13:29.

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Old Testament