Matthew 23:37: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.”
Extended Explanation
In this verse, Jesus expresses His deep sorrow and longing for Jerusalem, the city that symbolized the heart of God’s chosen people. He mourns over its history of rejecting God’s messengers, including the prophets, and now rejecting Him. The repetition of “Jerusalem, Jerusalem” reflects Jesus’ intense grief and love for the city and its people.
The imagery of a hen gathering her chicks under her wings conveys Jesus’ desire to protect and nurture His people. It’s a picture of tender care, but it is met with the tragic reality that the people were unwilling to accept Him. This rejection was not only of Jesus but of God’s love and protection offered through Him.
Historical Context
Jerusalem held a special place in Jewish history as the center of worship and the location of the temple, where God’s presence dwelled among His people. However, it also became known as a city that resisted God’s messengers. Prophets like Jeremiah and Zechariah were mistreated or killed for speaking God’s truth (2 Chronicles 24:20-21; Jeremiah 26:20-23).
By the time of Jesus, Jerusalem had become a symbol of spiritual rebellion. The religious leaders, who should have led the people to God, rejected Jesus and plotted to kill Him, continuing the pattern of their ancestors. Jesus’ lament anticipates the judgment that would come upon the city, including its destruction in A.D. 70.
Theological Implications
This verse reveals God’s persistent love and desire for a relationship with His people. Despite their history of rebellion and rejection, Jesus still longed to gather and protect them. It highlights God’s patience and willingness to forgive, even in the face of repeated rejection.
However, it also underscores the importance of human response. While God’s love is offered freely, it requires a willing heart to receive it. The tragedy of this verse is that the people of Jerusalem refused to accept God’s invitation, leading to consequences for their actions.
Literary Analysis
The repetition of “Jerusalem, Jerusalem” conveys both the importance of the city and Jesus’ deep emotional connection to it. The metaphor of the hen and chicks provides a vivid and tender image of God’s care, contrasting with the harsh reality of the people’s rejection.
This verse transitions from the woes pronounced earlier in Matthew 23 to a lament, showing Jesus’ compassion even as He confronts sin and rebellion. The phrase “you were not willing” emphasizes human responsibility in rejecting God’s offer of love and protection.
Relevant Biblical Cross-References
- Psalm 91:4: “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge.” This imagery echoes Jesus’ words.
- Isaiah 65:2: God laments over His people’s rebellion, saying, “All day long I have held out my hands to an obstinate people.”
- Luke 19:41-44: Jesus weeps over Jerusalem, foretelling its destruction because the people did not recognize God’s coming to them.
- John 1:11: “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.”
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse is a reminder of God’s unwavering love and desire to draw us close to Him. It challenges us to examine our own hearts—are we willing to receive His care and follow Him, or are we resisting His call?
This verse also encourages us to trust in God’s protective care, even in difficult times. Like a hen gathering her chicks, God’s love provides safety and security for those who come to Him.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is at the heart of this verse. Jesus’ lament reveals His deep compassion and His longing for people to turn to Him. Despite their rebellion, God does not give up on His people but continues to reach out with love and forgiveness.
This verse also reflects the pain of rejected love. God’s love is unconditional, but He allows people the freedom to choose. The sorrow expressed by Jesus shows the depth of His love and the heartbreak of seeing it rejected.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus is the ultimate expression of God’s love, sent to gather and redeem His people. His longing to protect and nurture Jerusalem mirrors His mission to bring salvation to all who believe in Him.
This verse also foreshadows Jesus’ death, where His rejection by the people He came to save would be most fully realized. Yet, through His sacrifice, He opens the way for all people to experience God’s love and protection.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- How does this verse challenge you to examine your willingness to respond to God’s call in your life?
- Are there areas where you might be resisting God’s care and protection?
- What does the image of a hen gathering her chicks teach you about God’s love and desire to protect His people?
- How can Jesus’ lament over Jerusalem inspire you to share His love with those who are far from Him?
- In what ways can you encourage others to accept God’s invitation to come under His loving care?