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 23:37KJVWhat does Matthew 23:37 mean?
Matthew 23:37 shows Jesus lamenting over Jerusalem, expressing sorrow that the city has repeatedly rejected and killed God’s messengers, even though he longed to gather and protect its people like a hen gathers her chicks. Despite his desire to care for them, the people were unwilling to accept him or his message.
Jesus is speaking publicly in Jerusalem, addressing the city as a whole but especially its religious leaders. This verse comes near the end of a series of strong warnings and rebukes, where Jesus mourns Jerusalem’s history of rejecting prophets (messengers from God) and refusing God’s care. The picture of a hen gathering her chicks is a gentle image of protection and longing, highlighting both Jesus’ compassion and the people’s stubborn refusal.
The Greek behind Matthew 23:37
- "gathered" (ἐπισυνάγω, episynagō): This word means to bring together or assemble. The repeated use in this verse (for both Jesus’ desire and the hen’s action) emphasizes the strong wish to unite and shelter the people, not just a casual invitation.
- "would" (ἠθέλησα, ēthelēsa) and "would not" (οὐκ ἠθελήσατε, ouk ēthelēsate): Both come from the Greek word for "to will" or "to desire." The contrast highlights that Jesus genuinely wanted to protect Jerusalem, but the people actively chose not to accept.
- "hen" (ὄρνις, ornis) and "chickens" (νοσσία, nossia): These words create a vivid, everyday image from rural life, making Jesus’ care feel personal and familiar to his listeners.
Why Matthew 23:37 matters
- This verse clarifies that Jesus’ rejection was not due to a lack of care or effort on his part; he earnestly desired to protect and gather the people, but they refused.
- The image of the hen and chicks reveals the depth of Jesus’ compassion, contrasting sharply with the violence and resistance shown by Jerusalem.
- Matthew 23:37 connects to the larger theme of the chapter, where Jesus warns about the consequences of rejecting God’s guidance and the heartbreak that comes from persistent refusal.