Matthew 23:37
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus's lament over Jerusalem highlights a tragically non-obvious detail: the city's violence against prophets isn't just a historical event, but an ongoing identity, indicated by the present tense verbs "killest" and "stonest." This paints Jerusalem not just as a place where prophets were killed, but as a city defined by its relentless rejection of God's messengers, a pattern of resistance that Jesus desperately wanted to break.
Jesus, having just delivered a series of pronouncements of "woe" against the religious leaders, turns his gaze toward Jerusalem. He laments the city's history of rejecting and even killing God's prophets, and expresses his deep, unfulfilled desire to protect and gather its people like a mother hen shields her chicks. This profound sorrow and rejection culminates in a prophecy of the city's impending desolation and the destruction of its temple, marking the end of its role as God's chosen dwelling place.
Jesus looks at Jerusalem and sees a city stained with the blood of God's messengers. What does this pattern reveal about the city's heart?
Jesus begins with a powerful, sorrowful repetition: "Jerusalem, Jerusalem!" This isn't just a name; it's a lament. He calls the city "the one who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her." This wasn't a one-time event, but a consistent, ingrained behavior.
A History of Rejecting the Divine
This violent rejection sets the stage for Jesus' profound sadness.
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Despite Jerusalem's violent rejection, Jesus reveals a desire as tender and protective as a mother bird. What does this image show us about God's persistent love?
Jesus contrasts Jerusalem's violence with His own deep yearning to protect them. He uses the vivid image of a hen gathering her chicks under her wings.
Maternal Protection and Grace
This beautiful metaphor reveals the heart of God – a longing to embrace and safeguard, even those who consistently turn away.
Jesus offers protection, but Jerusalem refuses. What does this stark contrast reveal about the human capacity to reject even divine love?
The most heartbreaking part of Jesus' lament is the simple, yet profound, reason for Jerusalem's impending doom: 'but you were not willing!'
The Sovereignty of Choice
This emphasizes that while God's love is persistent and His desire is salvation, the final step of acceptance rests with our own free will.
Understand the original words
Ierousalēm · Greek Proper Noun
The capital of Israel, representing the heart of the nation, the site of the Temple, and the center of God's covenantal dealings with His people. It is frequently portrayed in Scripture as the place of spiritual rebellion and the rejection of God's messengers.
prophētēs · Greek Noun
Individuals commissioned by God to declare His word to His people, often calling them to repentance. They were frequently persecuted or killed by those who rejected God’s authority.
pterux · Greek Noun
A metaphorical image signifying divine protection, care, comfort, and the sheltering presence of God. It draws on the imagery of a mother bird protecting her young from danger.
Jesus' lament over Jerusalem highlights a long history of the city rejecting God's messengers, from the Old Testament prophets to His own apostles. This ancient pattern of resistance to divine love and truth continues to resonate today.
c. 7th-6th century BC
Exile of Israel and Judah
The Northern Kingdom of Israel was conquered by the Assyrians (722 BC), and the Southern Kingdom of Judah was later conquered by the Babylonians (586 BC), leading to the Babylonian Exile. This period saw repeated rejection of prophetic warnings.
c. 538 BC - 167 BC
Return from Exile and Second Temple Period
Jews returned from exile and rebuilt the Temple. This era saw the re-establishment of Jerusalem as a religious center, but also periods of spiritual decline and renewed conflict with God's messengers.
c. 63 BC
Roman Intervention in Judea
Rome intervened in Judean politics, leading to Roman control and the eventual appointment of Herod the Great as king. This marked the beginning of increasing political and religious tension.
c. 27 BC - AD 14
Reign of Herod the Great
Herod the Great expanded and renovated the Second Temple, attempting to solidify his rule and gain favor. Despite outward prosperity, his reign was marked by political intrigue and violence.
c. AD 27-30— this verse
Jesus' Ministry in and around Jerusalem
Jesus conducted much of His ministry in Judea, frequently visiting Jerusalem and the Temple. He faced increasing opposition from religious leaders, culminating in His rejection and arrest.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
Jesus was betrayed, arrested, tried, and crucified in Jerusalem. His resurrection, witnessed by His followers, marked a pivotal moment, yet the city's leadership largely rejected the message.
c. AD 66-70
First Jewish-Roman War and Destruction of Jerusalem
Jewish rebellion against Roman rule led to the devastating siege and destruction of Jerusalem and the Second Temple. This event fulfilled Jesus' prophecies of the city's desolation.
This passage presents the exact same lament from Jesus over Jerusalem, highlighting the recurring theme of His desire to protect His people and their persistent refusal.
Deuteronomy 32:11This Old Testament passage uses a similar image of God as a protective parent, comparing His care for Israel to an eagle protecting its young, showing this protective imagery is deeply rooted in God's relationship with His people.
Immediately following this lament, Jesus declares their house will be left desolate, directly linking their rejection of His protective care to their impending destruction and loss.
This prophetic passage uses the metaphor of a vineyard that God lovingly tended but which produced wild grapes, illustrating the deep disappointment and judgment that follows unfaithfulness despite great care, much like Jesus' lament over Jerusalem.
Jeremiah 7:23-29This Old Testament prophecy directly addresses Jerusalem's disobedience and rejection of God's commands and prophets, leading to judgment, which parallels Jesus' sorrow over Jerusalem's history of killing prophets and rejecting His message.
vincentMatthew 23:37: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!"
Hen (ὄρνις)Generic: bird or fowl; but hen is used generically of the mother-bird of all species.
bensonMatthew 23:37: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!"
Matthew 23:37 . O Jerusalem, Jerusalem — The Lord Jesus having thus laid before the Pharisees and the Jewish nation their heinous guilt and impending ruin, was exceedingly moved at the thought of the calamities coming upon them. A day or two before he had…
Jesus's lament over Jerusalem highlights a tragically non-obvious detail: the city's violence against prophets isn't just a historical event, but an ongoing identity, indicated by the present tense verbs "killest" and "stonest." This paints Jerusalem not just as a place where prophets were killed, but as a city defined by its relentless rejection of God's messengers, a pattern of resistance that Jesus desperately wanted to break.
Jesus, having just delivered a series of pronouncements of "woe" against the religious leaders, turns his gaze toward Jerusalem. He laments the city's history of rejecting and even killing God's prophets, and expresses his deep, unfulfilled desire to protect and gather its people like a mother hen shields her chicks. This profound sorrow and rejection culminates in a prophecy of the city's impending desolation and the destruction of its temple, marking the end of its role as God's chosen dwelling place.
Jesus, having just delivered a series of pronouncements of "woe" against the religious leaders, turns his gaze toward Jerusalem. He laments the city's history of rejecting and even killing God's prophets, and expresses his deep, unfulfilled desire to protect and gather its people like a mother hen shields her chicks. This profound sorrow and rejection culminates in a prophecy of the city's impending desolation and the destruction of its temple, marking the end of its role as God's chosen dwelling place.
"“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!" — Jesus's lament over Jerusalem highlights a tragically non-obvious detail: the city's violence against prophets isn't just a historical event, but an ongoing identity, indicated by the present tense v…
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