King James Version

What Does Matthew 23:37 Mean?

Matthew 23:37 in the King James Version says “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I hav... — study this verse from Matthew chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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!

Matthew 23:37 · KJV


Context

35

That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

36

Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.

37

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!

38

Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.

39

For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth , till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee (Ἰερουσαλὴμ Ἰερουσαλήμ, ἡ ἀποκτείνουσα τοὺς προφήτας καὶ λιθοβολοῦσα τοὺς ἀπεσταλμένους πρὸς αὐτήν)—the repeated name expresses intense emotion—grief, not merely anger. Apokteinousa and lithobolousa are present participles: "the one continually killing... continually stoning." Jerusalem's prophet-killing wasn't occasional aberration but characteristic pattern.

How often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not (ποσάκις ἠθέλησα ἐπισυναγαγεῖν τὰ τέκνα σου... καὶ οὐκ ἠθελήσατε)—pōsakis (how often) implies repeated divine initiative. The hen metaphor evokes protective covenant love (Ruth 2:12; Psalm 91:4). Jesus's "I would... you would not" contrasts divine willingness with human rebellion. God's sovereign will to save and human responsibility to respond stand in tension. They could not blame God—He offered repeated invitations they repeatedly refused.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jerusalem's history included: killing Urijah (Jeremiah 26:23), attempting to kill Jeremiah multiple times, stoning Zechariah in the temple court (2 Chronicles 24:21), tradition says sawing Isaiah in two. Jesus Himself had ministered in Jerusalem multiple times (John's Gospel records several visits), offering salvation, performing signs, teaching in the temple. Despite repeated opportunities, the city's leaders hardened in rejection, culminating in crucifixion. Three days after this lament, they would shout "Crucify Him!"

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus's lament over Jerusalem reveal that divine judgment flows from heartbroken love, not vindictive anger?
  2. What does the tension between "I would" and "ye would not" teach about the relationship between God's desire to save and human responsibility to respond?
  3. How often has Christ sought to gather you protectively under His wings, only to have you refuse His invitation—and what will be the consequence if you continue refusing?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 31 words
Ἰερουσαλήμ,1 of 31

Jerusalem

G2419

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

Ἰερουσαλήμ,2 of 31

Jerusalem

G2419

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

3 of 31
G3588

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

ἀποκτείνουσα4 of 31

thou that killest

G615

to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy

τοὺς5 of 31
G3588

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

προφήτας6 of 31

the prophets

G4396

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

καὶ7 of 31

and

G2532

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

λιθοβολοῦσα8 of 31

stonest

G3036

to throw stones, i.e., lapidate

τοὺς9 of 31
G3588

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

ἀπεσταλμένους10 of 31

them which are sent

G649

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

πρὸς11 of 31

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,

αὐτήν,12 of 31
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 31

how often

G4212

how many times

ἠθελήσατε14 of 31

would I

G2309

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

ἐπισυνάγει15 of 31

gathereth

G1996

to collect upon the same place

τὰ16 of 31
G3588

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

τέκνα17 of 31

children

G5043

a child (as produced)

σου18 of 31

thy

G4675

of thee, thy

ὃν19 of 31
G3739

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

τρόπον20 of 31

even as

G5158

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

ἐπισυνάγει21 of 31

gathereth

G1996

to collect upon the same place

ὄρνις22 of 31

a hen

G3733

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

τὰ23 of 31
G3588

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

νοσσία24 of 31

chickens

G3556

a birdling

ἑαυτῆς25 of 31

her

G1438

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

ὑπὸ26 of 31

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 (

τὰς27 of 31
G3588

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

πτέρυγας28 of 31

her wings

G4420

a wing

καὶ29 of 31

and

G2532

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

οὐκ30 of 31

not

G3756

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

ἠθελήσατε31 of 31

would I

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 Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Matthew 23:37 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 Matthew 23:37 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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