Bible Strands
Matthew 23:37
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses Jerusalem during His final week, immediately after declaring that judgment would fall on the current generation. The text records His direct speech to the city before pronouncing its temple abandoned.
The words — The Greek ἀποκτείνουσα (apokteinousa) and λιθοβολοῦσα (lithobolousa) are present participles translating literally to "killing" and "stoning," describing Jerusalem's active violence against God's sent messengers.
The thread — Jesus repeats this exact lament in Luke 13:34, while the "under her wings" image draws on the protective refuge language found in Psalms 91:4 and Ruth 2:12.
Why it lands — The text presents a specific offer of gathering and protection that Jerusalem explicitly refuses, requiring the reader to confront the factual reality of divine patience met with human resistance.
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
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!
Cross-references
- Luke 13:34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!
- Psalms 91:4 He will cover you with His feathers; under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and rampart.
- Ruth 2:12 May the LORD repay your work, and may you receive a rich reward from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have taken refuge.”
- Deuteronomy 32:11 As an eagle stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, He spread His wings to catch them and carried them on His pinions.
- Psalms 17:8 Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings
- Nehemiah 9:26 But they were disobedient and rebelled against You; they flung Your law behind their backs. They killed Your prophets, who had admonished them to return to You. They committed terrible blasphemies.
- Proverbs 1:24 Because you refused my call, and no one took my outstretched hand,
- Jeremiah 6:16 This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths: ‘Where is the good way?’ Then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’
- Psalms 36:7 How precious is Your loving devotion, O God, that the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings!
- Psalms 63:7 For You are my help; I will sing for joy in the shadow of Your wings.