The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree.^{[a] 6} Then he told them this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, but whenever he came looking for fruit on it, he found none. ⁷ Therefore, he said to his vinedresser, ‘For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree and have never found any. Cut it down! Why should it continue to use up the soil?’ ⁸ But the vinedresser replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year while I dig around it and fertilize it.