Bible Strands
Luke 23:28
But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses a group of mourning women while being escorted to crucifixion. He interrupts their wailing to redirect their focus from his impending death to their own future and that of their descendants.
The words — στραφεὶς (strapheis) means "having turned," indicating a deliberate physical and rhetorical shift. θυγατέρες (thugateres) translates literally to "daughters," functioning as a direct, formal address to the women in the crowd.
The thread — The phrase "Daughters of Jerusalem" appears in Song of Solomon 1:5, 2:7, and 8:4 as a conventional address to the community. In Luke 23:29, Jesus immediately grounds this warning in a prophecy of coming tribulation that will make childlessness seem blessed.
Why it lands — The text commands the women to stop mourning Jesus and instead prepare for the judgment that will fall on them and their children. A reader must accept that compassion for the crucified Messiah does not shield one from the historical consequences of the times.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.
Cross-references
- Song of Solomon 8:4 O daughters of Jerusalem, I adjure you: Do not arouse or awaken love until the time is right.
- Song of Solomon 1:5 I am dark, yet lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon.
- Song of Solomon 2:7 O daughters of Jerusalem, I adjure you by the gazelles and does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until the time is right.
- Song of Solomon 3:5 O daughters of Jerusalem, I adjure you by the gazelles and does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until the time is right.
- Song of Solomon 3:10 He has made its posts of silver, its base of gold, its seat of purple fabric. Its interior is inlaid with love by the daughters of Jerusalem.
- Song of Solomon 5:8 O daughters of Jerusalem, I adjure you, if you find my beloved, tell him I am sick with love.
- Song of Solomon 5:16 His mouth is most sweet; he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.