Luke 13:8 Meaning and Explanation
“And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The vinedresser pleads for one more year, promising to dig around the tree and enrich its soil.
What Does Luke 13:8 Mean?
The gardener answers the sentence with intercession: Lord, let it alone this year also. He does not dispute the barrenness or the justice of the verdict. Instead he offers himself — his own digging, his own labor, his own care — as the reason for delay.
Here is the heart of the parable and of the gospel. Judgment is real, but between the sentence and the axe stands one who pleads for more time and takes the work of renewal on himself. The plea echoes the ministry of Christ, who ever lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25). The added year is not earned by the tree; it is granted for the sake of the gardener — grace with a spade in its hand.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 13:8
What does Luke 13:8 mean?
The vinedresser pleads for one more year, promising to dig around the tree and enrich its soil.