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 23:37KJV
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Matthew 23:37 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“hen” Greek G3733 · used in 2 verses

  • 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!

“often” Greek G4212 · used in 3 verses

  • Matthew 18:21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
  • 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!

“wings” Greek G4420 · used in 5 verses

  • 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!
  • Revelation 4:8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
  • Revelation 9:9 And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.

“gathered” Greek G1996 · used in 6 verses

  • Matthew 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
  • Mark 1:33 And all the city was gathered together at the door.
  • Luke 12:1 In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.