The Fig Tree

Luke 13:6-9

The three hands shown symbolize the three years during which the owner of the vineyard looked in vain for fruit from this tree. The dull-pointed sword is emblematic of divine mercy. By picturing the tree with fruit, the artist conveys the thought that after this last chance the fig tree did finally produce the desired fruit and was spared.

This window was given in memory of I. R. Sher by Louis Bachnik
Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree, planted 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.’ “