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! O Jerusalem, Jerusalem,This repetition emphasizes deep emotion and lament. Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, holds significant religious and historical importance as the center of Jewish worship and the location of the Temple. It symbolizes the heart of the Jewish nation and its spiritual state. The repetition of the name indicates a personal and profound sorrow, similar to other biblical instances where names are repeated for emphasis (e.g., "Martha, Martha" in Luke 10:41). Mat 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets… who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, This phrase highlights the historical pattern of Israel's rejection of God's messengers. Prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Zechariah faced persecution and death for delivering God's messages. Stoning was a common method of execution for perceived blasphemy or false prophecy, reflecting the severity of the rejection. This pattern of resistance to divine correction is a recurring theme in the Old Testament (e.g., 2 Chronicles 24:20-21). Mat 23:34-35 Because of this, I am sending you prophets and wise men… how often I have longed to gather your children together This expresses Jesus' desire to protect and nurture the people of Jerusalem, akin to God's repeated calls for Israel to return to Him throughout the Old Testament. It reflects God's patience and persistent love, despite Israel's continual disobedience. This longing is reminiscent of God's covenantal promises and His desire for a relationship with His people (e.g., Hosea 11:1-4). Jer 31:10 Hear, O nations, the word of the LORD, and proclaim it… as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, This metaphor illustrates protection, care, and intimacy. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the imagery of a bird sheltering its young is a common symbol of divine protection (e.g., Psalm 91:4). It conveys the safety and security found in God's presence, contrasting with the vulnerability of those who reject Him. Deu 32:11-12 As an eagle stirs up its nest and hovers over its young,… but you were unwilling! This highlights the tragic reality of Jerusalem's resistance to Jesus' offer of salvation and protection. It underscores human free will and the consequences of rejecting God's grace. This unwillingness is a fulfillment of prophetic warnings about Israel's hardness of heart (e.g., Isaiah 6:9-10) and foreshadows the impending judgment and destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. Jhn 5:40 yet you refuse to come to Me to have life. Persons / Places / Events 1. JerusalemThe city is central to Jewish identity and worship, often representing the people of Israel as a whole. It is a place of both spiritual significance and historical rebellion against God's messengers. 2. Prophets These are God's messengers sent to guide, warn, and call the people of Israel back to faithfulness. Historically, many prophets faced rejection and persecution. 3. Jesus The speaker of this verse, expressing His lament over Jerusalem's repeated rejection of God's messengers and His own ministry. 4. Chicks and Hen Imagery This metaphor illustrates Jesus' desire to protect and nurture the people of Jerusalem, highlighting His compassion and care. 5. Rejection The event of Jerusalem's unwillingness to accept Jesus and the prophets, leading to spiritual consequences. Teaching Points God's Persistent LoveDespite repeated rejection, God's desire to gather and protect His people remains steadfast. This teaches us about the depth of God's love and patience. The Consequences of Rejection Jerusalem's history of rejecting prophets serves as a warning about the spiritual consequences of turning away from God's message. The Heart of Jesus Jesus' lament reveals His deep compassion and sorrow for those who reject Him. Believers are called to share in this compassion for the lost. Protection Under God's Wings The imagery of a hen gathering her chicks underlines the safety and security found in God's presence. Believers are encouraged to seek refuge in Him. Responding to God's Call The unwillingness of Jerusalem serves as a reminder to be receptive to God's call and guidance in our lives. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the imagery of a hen gathering her chicks help us understand Jesus' heart for Jerusalem and for us today?2. In what ways can we see the pattern of rejecting God's messengers in our own lives or communities? 3. How does the theme of God's persistent love in Luke 13:34 encourage you in your personal walk with Christ? 4. What are some practical ways we can ensure we are receptive to God's call and not repeat the mistakes of Jerusalem? 5. How can we apply the concept of seeking refuge under God's wings in our daily challenges and spiritual battles? Connections to Other Scriptures Matthew 23:37This parallel passage echoes Jesus' lament over Jerusalem, emphasizing the city's history of rejecting God's messengers. Psalm 91:4 The imagery of being gathered under wings is reminiscent of God's protection and care, as described in the Psalms. Isaiah 53:3 This passage speaks of the Messiah being despised and rejected, connecting to the theme of rejection in Luke 13:34. Acts 7:52 Stephen's speech before his martyrdom references the persecution of prophets, aligning with Jesus' lament over Jerusalem.
People Hen, Herod, Isaac, Jacob, Jesus, PilatePlaces Jerusalem, Road to Jerusalem, SiloamTopics Bird, Brood, Chicks, Death, Desired, Gather, Gathered, Gathereth, Gathers, Hen, Jerusalem, Kill, Killest, Killeth, Killing, Kills, Longed, Murderest, Myself, O, Often, Ones, Prophets, Putting, Refused, Stone, Stones, Stonest, Stoneth, Stoning, Takes, Wanted, Willing, WingsDictionary of Bible Themes Luke 13:34 1175 God, will of 2015 Christ, compassion Library A Changed LifeTEXT: "And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift herself up. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity: And he laid his hands on her; and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God."--Luke 13:11-13. These verses present to us one of the most interesting stories imaginable--of interest to us first because it is one of our Lord's miracles, … J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas Iscariot True Sabbath Observance The Strait Gate Christ's Message to Herod On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xiii. 21 and 23, Where the Kingdom of God is Said to be "Like unto Leaven, which a Woman On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xiii. 6, Where we are Told of the Fig-Tree, which Bare no Fruit for Three Years; and of The Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount The Mustard Seed: a Sermon for the Sabbath-School Teacher Accidents, not Punishments Liii. Repentance Enjoined. Parable of the Barren Fig-Tree. Sabbath Healing. Mustard Seed and Leaven. The Strait Gate. Warned against Herod. At the Feast of the Dedication of the Temple. Christ's Discourses in Peræa - Close of the Peræan Ministry The Historical Situation The Early Ministry in Judea The Barren Fig-Tree. Completeness and Universality of his Character. The Christian Convert Warned Of, and Animated against those Discouragements which He must Expect to Meet when Entering on a Religious Course. The Sluggard. St. Athanasius, Wesley's Remarkable vitality The Hopeless Condition of the Left-Behind Ones. First Attempts on Jerusalem. Links Luke 13:34 NIVLuke 13:34 NLT Luke 13:34 ESV Luke 13:34 NASB Luke 13:34 KJV Luke 13:34 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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