King James Version

What Does Luke 13:34 Mean?

Luke 13:34 in the King James Version says “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gat... — study this verse from Luke chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!

Luke 13:34 · KJV


Context

32

And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.

33

Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.

34

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!

35

Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jesus laments: 'O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!' (Ἰερουσαλὴμ Ἰερουσαλήμ, ἡ ἀποκτείνουσα τοὺς προφήτας καὶ λιθοβολοῦσα τοὺς ἀπεσταλμένους πρὸς αὐτήν, ποσάκις ἠθέλησα ἐπισυνάξαι τὰ τέκνα σου ὃν τρόπον ὄρνις τὴν ἑαυτῆς νοσσιὰν ὑπὸ τὰς πτέρυγας, καὶ οὐκ ἠθελήσατε). The repeated name expresses grief. The present participles 'apokteinousa' (ἀποκτείνουσα, killing) and 'lithobolousa' (λιθοβολοῦσα, stoning) indicate habitual rejection. Christ's desire to gather them 'as a hen gathers her brood' expresses tender, protective love. The tragic 'ye would not' (οὐκ ἠθελήσατε) reveals human will resisting divine grace.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jerusalem's history of killing prophets (Zechariah, Isaiah according to tradition, John the Baptist) climaxed in crucifying Christ. Within 40 years, Rome would destroy the city (AD 70), leaving 'your house desolate' (v.35). Jesus' lament echoes Old Testament prophets (Jeremiah 8:18-22, Hosea 11:8) expressing God's grief over Israel's rebellion. The maternal imagery (hen protecting chicks) powerfully conveys divine compassion even toward those who reject Him. This passage demonstrates both God's genuine desire for all to be saved and human responsibility in rejecting grace.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus' lament over Jerusalem reveal both divine sovereignty in salvation and genuine human responsibility for unbelief?
  2. What does the image of protective maternal care teach about God's heart toward those who ultimately reject Him?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 30 words
Ἰερουσαλήμ1 of 30

Jerusalem

G2419

hierusalem (i.e., jerushalem), the capitol of palestine

Ἰερουσαλήμ2 of 30

Jerusalem

G2419

hierusalem (i.e., jerushalem), the capitol of palestine

τὰς3 of 30

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀποκτείνουσα4 of 30

killest

G615

to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy

τὰς5 of 30

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

προφήτας6 of 30

the prophets

G4396

a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet

καὶ7 of 30

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

λιθοβολοῦσα8 of 30

stonest

G3036

to throw stones, i.e., lapidate

τὰς9 of 30

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀπεσταλμένους10 of 30

them that are sent

G649

set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively

πρὸς11 of 30

unto

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

αὐτήν12 of 30
G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ποσάκις13 of 30

how often

G4212

how many times

ἠθελήσατε14 of 30

would

G2309

to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),

ἐπισυνάξαι15 of 30

I have gathered

G1996

to collect upon the same place

τὰς16 of 30

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τέκνα17 of 30

children

G5043

a child (as produced)

σου18 of 30

thy

G4675

of thee, thy

ὃν19 of 30
G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

τρόπον20 of 30

as

G5158

a turn, i.e., (by implication) mode or style (especially with preposition or relative prefix as adverb, like); figuratively, deportment or character

ὄρνις21 of 30

a hen

G3733

a bird (as rising in the air), i.e., (specially), a hen (or female domestic fowl)

τὰς22 of 30

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἑαυτῆς23 of 30

doth gather her

G1438

(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc

νοσσιὰν24 of 30

brood

G3555

a brood (of chickens)

ὑπὸ25 of 30

under

G5259

under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (

τὰς26 of 30

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πτέρυγας27 of 30

her wings

G4420

a wing

καὶ28 of 30

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

οὐκ29 of 30

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἠθελήσατε30 of 30

would

G2309

to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 13:34 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 13:34 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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