13:7a

So he said: This verse begins with a Greek conjunction that some English versions translate as “and.” The Berean Standard Bible translates as So because it introduces what the owner said as a result of not finding any figs on his fig tree.

to the keeper of the vineyard: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the keeper of the vineyard is a single word that referred specifically to someone whose job is to look after grapevines. Another way to translate this word is:

vinedresser (Revised Standard Version)

Consider if there is a natural expression in your language for a servant who is in charge of looking after vines and trees. If your readers are not familiar with vineyards, you will need to use a more general expression that fits the term you used for “vineyard” in 13:6b. For example:

his gardener (Good News Translation)
-or-
the caretaker/manager of his field/trees
-or-
the person who took care of his farm

13:7b–c

Look: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Look is used here to call attention to the next statement. Other ways to translate this word are:

Behold (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
See here! (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Listen!

Several other English versions do not translate this word. If your language has a natural way to draw attention to this statement, consider using it here.

for the past three years: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for the past three years means “this is the third year.” The owner had also come looking for fruit the two previous years.

I have come: The owner had come at least three times. It is not clear whether he had come several times a year, or just once a year. Use a verb form that refers to doing something more than once.

13:7d

Therefore: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Therefore indicates that the command in 13:7d is a result of the situation described in 13:7b–c. In some languages it may be natural to introduce this command with that word or a similar one such as:

So

cut it down!: The command cut it down! implies that the whole tree should be removed, including the roots. In Israel people cut the roots of a tree in order to remove the tree along with its stump. If you have a natural expression in your language for cutting down a tree along with the stump, you may use it here. You may also use a more general expression, as in most English versions.

13:7e

Why should it use up the soil?: This is a rhetorical question. The owner used this question to express his opinion that the fig tree should not be allowed to continue wasting good soil in the vineyard. The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as use up has the basic meaning “make useless.” There are two ways to interpret the word in the context of this parable:

(1) The tree is taking up valuable space in the garden (that some other crop/plant could use to produce fruit). For example:

Why should it take up space? (Contemporary English Version)

(Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation (2004), New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) The tree is using up the nutrients in the soil (but producing no fruit). For example:

Why should it go on taking goodness from the soil? (Revised English Bible)

(Revised English Bible, NET Bible)

Many English versions translate in a way that allows both these meanings. It is recommended that you also translate in a way that allows both these meanings if possible. For example:

Why should it be wasting the soil? (New Revised Standard Version)

If it is not possible to allow both meanings, then you should follow interpretation (1), along with most scholars.

Here are some ways to translate the owner’s opinion, following interpretation (1):

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Why should it be taking up the ground? (New Jerusalem Bible)

• As a statement. For example:

It’s taking up space we can use for something else. (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
I will not allow it to keep using the space ⌊and not produce fruit⌋.

Translate this question in a way that is most natural in your language.

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