κἂν μὲν ποιήσῃ καρπὸν εἰς τὸ μέλλον. The “well” (καλῶς ἔχει) is not in the original, the idiom being a common but striking aposiopesis: i.e. the conclusion of the sentence is left to the speaker’s imagination. The phrase implies, If, as is at least possible, it bears fruit;—but if not, as thou supposest, then, &c. (See Winer p. 751.)

εἰ δὲ μήγε. In these antitheses a conditional clause with ἐὰν (if, as may be the case) is often followed by another with εἰ (assuming that) (si fructum tulerit … sin minus, si non fert); comp. Acts 5:38-39 ἐὰν ᾖ ἐξ� … εἰ δὲ ἐκ Θεοῦ ἐστιν.

ἐκκόψεις. “Non dicit vinitor ‘exscindam’ (Luke 13:7). Sed rem refert ad dominum; desinit tamen pro ficu deprecari.” Bengel.

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Old Testament