Luke 13:34
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!
Original Language Analysis
Ἰερουσαλήμ
Jerusalem
G2419
Ἰερουσαλήμ
Jerusalem
Strong's:
G2419
Word #:
1 of 30
hierusalem (i.e., jerushalem), the capitol of palestine
Ἰερουσαλήμ
Jerusalem
G2419
Ἰερουσαλήμ
Jerusalem
Strong's:
G2419
Word #:
2 of 30
hierusalem (i.e., jerushalem), the capitol of palestine
τὰς
which
G3588
τὰς
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὰς
which
G3588
τὰς
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
προφήτας
the prophets
G4396
προφήτας
the prophets
Strong's:
G4396
Word #:
6 of 30
a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὰς
which
G3588
τὰς
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀπεσταλμένους
them that are sent
G649
ἀπεσταλμένους
them that are sent
Strong's:
G649
Word #:
10 of 30
set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
11 of 30
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
αὐτήν
G846
αὐτήν
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 of 30
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἠθελήσατε
would
G2309
ἠθελήσατε
would
Strong's:
G2309
Word #:
14 of 30
to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),
τὰς
which
G3588
τὰς
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὃν
G3739
ὃν
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
19 of 30
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
τρόπον
as
G5158
τρόπον
as
Strong's:
G5158
Word #:
20 of 30
a turn, i.e., (by implication) mode or style (especially with preposition or relative prefix as adverb, like); figuratively, deportment or character
ὄρνις
a hen
G3733
ὄρνις
a hen
Strong's:
G3733
Word #:
21 of 30
a bird (as rising in the air), i.e., (specially), a hen (or female domestic fowl)
τὰς
which
G3588
τὰς
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἑαυτῆς
doth gather her
G1438
ἑαυτῆς
doth gather her
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
23 of 30
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
ὑπὸ
under
G5259
ὑπὸ
under
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
25 of 30
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
τὰς
which
G3588
τὰς
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
26 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
28 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Acts 7:52Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:Isaiah 30:15For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.Psalms 36:7How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.Zechariah 1:4Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD.Luke 23:28But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.Luke 19:44And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.Ruth 2:12The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.Isaiah 50:2Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst.Psalms 91:4He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.Psalms 81:13Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!
Historical Context
Jerusalem's history of killing prophets (Zechariah, Isaiah according to tradition, John the Baptist) climaxed in crucifying Christ. Within 40 years, Rome would destroy the city (AD 70), leaving 'your house desolate' (v.35). Jesus' lament echoes Old Testament prophets (Jeremiah 8:18-22, Hosea 11:8) expressing God's grief over Israel's rebellion. The maternal imagery (hen protecting chicks) powerfully conveys divine compassion even toward those who reject Him. This passage demonstrates both God's genuine desire for all to be saved and human responsibility in rejecting grace.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus' lament over Jerusalem reveal both divine sovereignty in salvation and genuine human responsibility for unbelief?
- What does the image of protective maternal care teach about God's heart toward those who ultimately reject Him?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Jesus laments: 'O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!' (Ἰερουσαλὴμ Ἰερουσαλήμ, ἡ ἀποκτείνουσα τοὺς προφήτας καὶ λιθοβολοῦσα τοὺς ἀπεσταλμένους πρὸς αὐτήν, ποσάκις ἠθέλησα ἐπισυνάξαι τὰ τέκνα σου ὃν τρόπον ὄρνις τὴν ἑαυτῆς νοσσιὰν ὑπὸ τὰς πτέρυγας, καὶ οὐκ ἠθελήσατε). The repeated name expresses grief. The present participles 'apokteinousa' (ἀποκτείνουσα, killing) and 'lithobolousa' (λιθοβολοῦσα, stoning) indicate habitual rejection. Christ's desire to gather them 'as a hen gathers her brood' expresses tender, protective love. The tragic 'ye would not' (οὐκ ἠθελήσατε) reveals human will resisting divine grace.