Luke 13:8

Let it alone. It has been suggested that the “three years” (verse 7) refer figuratively to the first three years inclusive of Jesus’ ministry. The present would be the year of grace after the “three years,” for it had now been more than three years since Jesus’ baptism (see on Matthew 4:12), and but a few months remained before the crucifixion (see on Luke 13:1). The mercy of God still waited and appealed to the Jewish nation to repent and accept Jesus as the Messiah. But linked with the extension of mercy was the implied warning that this one more opportunity would be the last.

Dig about it, and dung it. The “vine worker” (see on verse 7) had no doubt given the tree at least as much care as he had the other trees in the vineyard. But in this last attempt to help it bear fruit he seems to have done more than ever before (see Isaiah 5:1—4; see on Matthew 21:37).