Lukas 6:44

6:44 for each tree is known ¹  by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered ²  from thorns, nor are grapes picked ³  from brambles. ⁴ 

Lukas 12:28

12:28 And if ⁵  this is how God clothes the wild grass, ⁶  which is here ⁷  today and tomorrow is tossed into the fire to heat the oven, ⁸  how much more ⁹  will he clothe you, you people of little faith!

Lukas 13:6

Warning to Israel to Bear Fruit

13:6 Then ¹⁰  Jesus ¹¹  told this parable: “A man had a fig tree ¹²  planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it and found none.

[6:44]  ¹ sn The principle of the passage is that one produces what one is.

[6:44]  ² tn Grk “they do not gather”; this has been simplified to the passive voice in the translation since the subject “they” is not specified further in the context.

[6:44]  ³ tn This is a different verb (τρυγῶσιν, trugwsin) for gathering from the previous one (συλλέγουσιν, sullegousin).

[6:44]  ⁴ tn This is a different term (βάτος, batos) for a thorn or bramble bush than the previous one (ἄκανθα, akanqa).

[6:44]  sn The statement nor are grapes picked from brambles illustrates the principle: That which cannot produce fruit, does not produce fruit.

[12:28]  ⁵ tn This is a first class condition in the Greek text.

[12:28]  ⁶ tn Grk “grass in the field.”

[12:28]  ⁷ tn Grk “which is in the field today.”

[12:28]  ⁸ tn Grk “into the oven.” The expanded translation “into the fire to heat the oven” has been used to avoid misunderstanding; most items put into modern ovens are put there to be baked, not burned.

[12:28]  sn The oven was most likely a rounded clay oven used for baking bread, which was heated by burning wood and dried grass.

[12:28]  ⁹ sn The phrase how much more is a typical form of rabbinic argumentation, from the lesser to the greater. If God cares for the little things, surely he will care for the more important things.

[13:6]  ¹⁰ tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.

[13:6]  ¹¹ tn Grk “he”; the referent has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[13:6]  ¹² sn The fig tree is a variation on the picture of a vine as representing the nation; see Isa 5:1-7.