Matthew 23:37 Meaning and Explanation
“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!”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus laments over Jerusalem with aching tenderness, longing to gather her people as a hen gathers her chicks, though they refused.
What Does Matthew 23:37 Mean?
After the woes, Jesus' voice turns from rebuke to grief. He cries out twice to the city, naming her long history of rejecting and killing those God sent. Then comes one of Scripture's tenderest images: a mother hen gathering her chicks beneath her wings to shelter them from danger.
Here the heart behind the warnings is laid bare. Every hard word was spoken by One who longed to protect and gather, not to destroy. The sorrow of 'ye would not' reveals both the depth of his love and the reality of human freedom to refuse it. God's desire is always to gather his children to safety; the tragedy is a heart that will not come. Even in lament, the wings remain open, and the invitation still stands.
Matthew 23:37 in the Original Language
episynago (ἐπισυνάγω), 'gather together' -- to bring together into one place, as a shepherd or mother gathers her own for safety.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 23:37
What does Matthew 23:37 mean?
Jesus laments over Jerusalem with aching tenderness, longing to gather her people as a hen gathers her chicks, though they refused.