Matthew 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!
Original Language Analysis
Ἰερουσαλήμ,
Jerusalem
G2419
Ἰερουσαλήμ,
Jerusalem
Strong's:
G2419
Word #:
1 of 31
hierusalem (i.e., jerushalem), the capitol of palestine
Ἰερουσαλήμ,
Jerusalem
G2419
Ἰερουσαλήμ,
Jerusalem
Strong's:
G2419
Word #:
2 of 31
hierusalem (i.e., jerushalem), the capitol of palestine
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀποκτείνουσα
thou that killest
G615
ἀποκτείνουσα
thou that killest
Strong's:
G615
Word #:
4 of 31
to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
προφήτας
the prophets
G4396
προφήτας
the prophets
Strong's:
G4396
Word #:
6 of 31
a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀπεσταλμένους
them which are sent
G649
ἀπεσταλμένους
them which are sent
Strong's:
G649
Word #:
10 of 31
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 31
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 31
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 I
G2309
ἠθελήσατε
would I
Strong's:
G2309
Word #:
14 of 31
to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὃν
G3739
ὃν
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
19 of 31
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
τρόπον
even as
G5158
τρόπον
even as
Strong's:
G5158
Word #:
20 of 31
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 #:
22 of 31
a bird (as rising in the air), i.e., (specially), a hen (or female domestic fowl)
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἑαυτῆς
her
G1438
ἑαυτῆς
her
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
25 of 31
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
ὑπὸ
under
G5259
ὑπὸ
under
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
26 of 31
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
G3588
τὰς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
27 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
29 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
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.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 17:8Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,Jeremiah 35:15I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me.Nehemiah 9:26Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations.Psalms 36:7How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.Psalms 63:7Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.Matthew 22:3And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.Matthew 5:12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.Hosea 11:2As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.
Historical Context
Jerusalem's history included: killing Urijah (Jeremiah 26:23), attempting to kill Jeremiah multiple times, stoning Zechariah in the temple court (2 Chronicles 24:21), tradition says sawing Isaiah in two. Jesus Himself had ministered in Jerusalem multiple times (John's Gospel records several visits), offering salvation, performing signs, teaching in the temple. Despite repeated opportunities, the city's leaders hardened in rejection, culminating in crucifixion. Three days after this lament, they would shout "Crucify Him!"
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's lament over Jerusalem reveal that divine judgment flows from heartbroken love, not vindictive anger?
- What does the tension between "I would" and "ye would not" teach about the relationship between God's desire to save and human responsibility to respond?
- How often has Christ sought to gather you protectively under His wings, only to have you refuse His invitation—and what will be the consequence if you continue refusing?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee (Ἰερουσαλὴμ Ἰερουσαλήμ, ἡ ἀποκτείνουσα τοὺς προφήτας καὶ λιθοβολοῦσα τοὺς ἀπεσταλμένους πρὸς αὐτήν)—the repeated name expresses intense emotion—grief, not merely anger. Apokteinousa and lithobolousa are present participles: "the one continually killing... continually stoning." Jerusalem's prophet-killing wasn't occasional aberration but characteristic pattern.
How often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not (ποσάκις ἠθέλησα ἐπισυναγαγεῖν τὰ τέκνα σου... καὶ οὐκ ἠθελήσατε)—pōsakis (how often) implies repeated divine initiative. The hen metaphor evokes protective covenant love (Ruth 2:12; Psalm 91:4). Jesus's "I would... you would not" contrasts divine willingness with human rebellion. God's sovereign will to save and human responsibility to respond stand in tension. They could not blame God—He offered repeated invitations they repeatedly refused.