37Jesus said: "Jerusalem, Jerusalem — the one killing the prophets and stoning those sent to her! How many times I willed to gather your children together, in the way a bird gathers its brood under her wings, and you were unwilling! [23:38] Behold, your house is left to you desolate! [23:39] For I say to you, you shall certainly not see Me from now until you say, 'Blessed is the One coming in the name of the Lord.'"
MAT 23:37-39
Lament over Jerusalem
In the world it was spoken into
In 1st-century Jewish thought, Jerusalem was not just a city but the spiritual and political heart of Israel, the dwelling place of God’s presence in the Temple. The lament over Jerusalem evokes the prophetic tradition of mourning Israel’s disobedience and the consequences of rejecting God’s messengers. The image of a hen gathering her chicks under her wings draws from Jewish symbolism of divine protection and care, echoing Psalm 91:4. The phrase 'Blessed is the One coming in the name of the Lord' would have been familiar to Jesus’ audience as a messianic greeting from Psalm 118:26, often used during pilgrimage festivals. The declaration that their 'house' is left desolate would have resonated deeply, recalling the destruction of the First Temple and the prophetic warnings of exile and abandonment. For Jesus’ listeners, this lament would have evoked both sorrow and urgency, as it framed Jerusalem’s fate in terms of its rejection of divine care and its impending judgment.
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How other translations render this
MAT 23:37
- KJV
- 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!
- BSB
- 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!
- Koinōnos
- Jesus said: "Jerusalem, Jerusalem — the one killing the prophets and stoning those sent to her! How many times I willed to gather your children together, in the way a bird gathers its brood under her wings, and you were unwilling!
MAT 23:38
- KJV
- Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
- BSB
- Look, your house is left to you desolate.
- Koinōnos
- Behold, your house is left to you desolate!
MAT 23:39
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- For I tell you that you will not see Me again until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
- Koinōnos
- For I say to you, you shall certainly not see Me from now until you say, 'Blessed is the One coming in the name of the Lord.'
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
MAT 23:37
- I wanted:The word translated 'I wanted' here implies a strong, deliberate act of the will, a deep desire or intention, rather than a mere wish or preference.
- children:The term used here for 'children' emphasizes the biological relationship and offspring, often carrying a sense of tenderness and parental affection.
MAT 23:38
- house:The word translated 'house' can refer not only to a physical dwelling but also to a household, family, or even a dynasty, suggesting a broader sense of belonging and heritage.
- desolate!:The word translated 'desolate' describes something abandoned, uninhabited, or laid waste, often implying a sense of emptiness and ruin, like a desert.