G'day
I'd like to ask your "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."
The original passage is written in old Greek. Ironically, the Greek word for "cut off" can also mean "lift up". Mr Wilkonson claims that most English translations of the text incorrectly translates this word as "cut off" but that in reality it should be translated as "lift up". This is his rationale:
An American winegrower told him that when a branch does not bear fruit (grapes) it is often because it fell off the frame or wire. This branch gets less sun and gathers more dust. The winegrower then "lifts up" the branch, ties it back to the frame or wire, and cleans the leaves of the dust. He does not cut it off. Mr Wilkenson believes that Jesus' statement referred to this action of lifting and cleaning, and not to the act of cutting off.
What are your comments on this? Do you (or winegrowers in your area) cut off branches that don't bear fruit? Is the lifting a common practice? How often is not bearing fruit the result of a fallen branch? Is such lifting also practiced (or relevant) to non-trellissed vineyards? Does anyone know when the trellissing of vines was first invented or practice and whether it could probably have been common practice in the Middle-East or old Europe two thousand years ago?
Any other comments appreciated. Also, if you're willing, please tell me your location.
Thanks in advance. Samuel Murray Johannesburg, South Africa