Overview
The Bible addresses unfruitfulness across 18 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Matthew, Luke and John. Closely related themes include Unfaithfulness, Parables, Vineyard and Jesus, The Christ.
Key Bible verses about unfruitfulness
New Testament
Matthew
And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. a fig tree: Gr. one fig tree
And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!
Luke
And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.
Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?
And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
John
Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
Studying unfruitfulness for yourself
- Begin with Isaiah 5:2, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Matthew, Luke and John each treat the theme.
- Widen the study to related themes: Unfaithfulness, Parables, Vineyard and Jesus, The Christ.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about unfruitfulness?
The Bible addresses unfruitfulness across 18 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Matthew, Luke and John. Closely related themes include Unfaithfulness, Parables, Vineyard and Jesus, The Christ.
How many Bible verses are about unfruitfulness?
The Bible references unfruitfulness in 18 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention unfruitfulness?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Isaiah 5:2: “And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes. fenced: or, made a wall about made: Heb. hewed”
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