King James Version

What Does Luke 23:28 Mean?

Luke 23:28 in the King James Version says “But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your childre...” — study this verse from Luke chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.”

Luke 23:28 · KJV

Context

26

And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.

27

And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.

28

But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.

29

For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.

30

Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.

Read Luke 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. Amid His own agony, Jesus demonstrated compassion for those mourning Him. The address "Daughters of Jerusalem" (thygateres Ierousalēm, θυγατέρες Ἰερουσαλήμ) was a tender, affectionate term designating the women as covenant people of the holy city. Yet Jesus redirected their tears from present suffering to future catastrophe.

The command "weep not for me" (mē klaiete ep' eme, μὴ κλαίετε ἐπ' ἐμέ) uses klaíō (κλαίω), meaning to wail or lament loudly, not mere quiet tears. Jesus' substitutionary death, though agonizing, would accomplish eternal redemption—not ultimately a tragedy but triumph. The redirection "but weep for yourselves, and for your children" (plēn eph' heautas klaiete kai epi ta tekna hymōn, πλὴν ἐφ' ἑαυτὰς κλαίετε καὶ ἐπὶ τὰ τέκνα ὑμῶν) prophetically warns of Jerusalem's destruction in AD 70.

This statement reveals Christ's prophetic knowledge and pastoral heart. Even while suffering innocently, He warned of judgment coming upon the guilty city that rejected its Messiah. The inclusion of "your children" indicates the multi-generational consequences of rejecting God's salvation. Jesus' words fulfilled His earlier lament: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets... how often would I have gathered thy children together... and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate" (Matthew 23:37-38).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Professional mourners commonly followed condemned criminals to execution, but Luke suggests these were genuine sympathizers. In AD 70, Roman legions under Titus besieged Jerusalem for five months. Josephus records over one million Jews died, many by starvation, crucifixion, and massacre. The temple was destroyed, fulfilling Jesus' prophecy that "there shall not be left one stone upon another" (Luke 21:6).

Women and children suffered especially during the siege. Josephus describes mothers eating their own children during the famine (Jewish War 6.3.4), echoing the covenant curses of Deuteronomy 28:53-57. The catastrophe was so severe that Jesus declared, "Except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved" (Matthew 24:22). This historical reality gives profound weight to Jesus' warning—their tears for His crucifixion were misplaced; they should weep for the judgment awaiting those who rejected Him.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus' concern for others while suffering His own agony challenge our self-focus during personal trials?
  2. What does this passage teach about the multi-generational consequences of rejecting Christ and His gospel?
  3. How should the historical fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy about Jerusalem strengthen our confidence in His other prophetic warnings about judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 22 words
στραφεὶς1 of 22

“turning”

G4762

to twist, i.e., turn quite around or reverse (literally or figuratively)

δὲ2 of 22

“But”

G1161

but, and, etc

πρὸς3 of 22

“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,

αὐτὰς4 of 22

“them”

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

ὁ5 of 22
G3588

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

Ἰησοῦς6 of 22

“Jesus”

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

εἶπεν7 of 22

“said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

Θυγατέρες8 of 22

“Daughters”

G2364

a female child, or (by hebraism) descendant (or inhabitant)

Ἰερουσαλήμ9 of 22

“of Jerusalem”

G2419

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

μὴ10 of 22

“not”

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

κλαίετε11 of 22

“weep”

G2799

to sob, i.e., wail aloud (whereas 1145 is rather to cry silently)

ἐπὶ12 of 22

“for”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

ἐμέ·13 of 22

“me”

G1691

me

πλὴν14 of 22

“but”

G4133

moreover (besides), i.e., albeit, save that, rather, yet

ἐπὶ15 of 22

“for”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

ἑαυτὰς16 of 22

“yourselves”

G1438

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

κλαίετε17 of 22

“weep”

G2799

to sob, i.e., wail aloud (whereas 1145 is rather to cry silently)

καὶ18 of 22

“and”

G2532

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

ἐπὶ19 of 22

“for”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τὰ20 of 22
G3588

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

τέκνα21 of 22

“children”

G5043

a child (as produced)

ὑμῶν22 of 22

“your”

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

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 23:28 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 23:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Song of Solomon 8:4Song of Solomon 5:16Song of Solomon 5:8Song of Solomon 1:5Song of Solomon 3:5Song of Solomon 3:10

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Luke 23 →

Test Your Knowledge

Luke 23 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterLuke Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Luke 23 with CommentaryAll Luke ChaptersComplete Luke QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes