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!

Matthew 23:37 (KJV)

Context

This verse comes at the end of Matthew 23, where Jesus has pronounced a series of woes against the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy and failure as spiritual guides. Now He turns from denouncing the religious leaders to lament over Jerusalem itself, the city that represents the spiritual and political center of Israel. The double address, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem,” is a Hebrew idiom of deep emotion, emphasizing the seriousness and urgency of His message and expressing profound sorrow and compassion.

Meaning

Jesus begins by addressing the city twice, using repetition to convey strong emotion. He accuses Jerusalem of killing the prophets and stoning those who were sent to them. Throughout Israel’s history, many prophets were sent by God to deliver His messages, but they were often rejected and persecuted. Jesus acknowledges this pattern of rejecting God’s messengers, highlighting the city’s history of resistance to God’s word.

The second part of the verse contains a vivid metaphor. Jesus compares Himself to a mother hen who gathers her chicks under her wings for protection and safety. This imagery portrays Jesus’ desire to gather and protect the people of Jerusalem, symbolizing His love, care, and willingness to shelter them from harm. The phrase “how often” reveals that this was not a one-time offer but a persistent, repeated invitation.

Despite His genuine desire to gather and protect them, Jesus laments that the people of Jerusalem were unwilling to accept His invitation. The phrase “and ye would not” indicates their resistance and refusal to embrace Jesus’ teachings and receive His love and protection. The verse contrasts God’s persistent, loving desire with the people’s stubborn unwillingness.

Biblical connections

In Matthew, the lament anticipates the judgment that will fall on Jerusalem in A.D. 70, a theme that continues in the following verses. The verse reveals the heart of God through Jesus: a divine longing to gather and protect His people, met with human refusal.

Application

This verse serves as a reminder to us today not to harden our hearts and reject the call of Jesus. It calls us to respond to His love, seek His protection, and embrace His teachings with humility and openness. It also warns us against the dangers of religious hypocrisy and the rejection of God’s messengers. God’s judgment is never His first desire; His desire is to gather, protect, and save, but He does not override human will.

Reflection

Matthew 23:37 is a poignant and powerful verse that showcases Jesus’ love, compassion, and desire to gather and protect His people, while also highlighting the tragic consequences of rejecting Him. It underscores the reality of human responsibility and the seriousness of responding to God’s overtures of grace.