ABSTRACT. Most of the time, except for the case of the Saviour Christ, Old Testament hagiographers limit themselves to using cryptic speech in such a way that the listener understands without going on to explain this somewhat coded language to the listener. Of the hagiographers, the proper prophets not only spoke in parables, but accompanied their words with symbolic acts. In the parable of Jotham, the symbols of the olive tree, the fig tree and the vine became both representatives of fruitful service and symbols of ancient Israel in relation to IHWH. The New Testament parables provide readings on the fruitfulness of the tree, also on fruitfulness in the case of Jesus the Saviour (Lk 13 about the fig tree and Mt 20-21 about the perfect vine of John 15). This study deals with the image of the text in the manuscript and in the fresco painted on the wall of the Sucevita monastery. As an inspired author, the ecclesiastical painter seeks forms of education through images, following verified models in line with the biblical text and Church teaching.

Keywords: Jesus; Parable; Jotham; fig tree; vineyard; painting