Luke 13:34 - Printer Friendly

ESV: O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!

NIV: Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.

NASB: Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who have been sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her young under her wings, and you were unwilling!

CSB: "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her. How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!

NLT: O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me.

KJV: 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!

NKJV: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing!

Jesus is looking ahead to the tasks He must accomplish before He enters Jerusalem (Luke 13:32–33). The thought of Jerusalem reminds Him of what He must do there. And what He must do reminds Him that as a nation, Israel will not reap the benefits.

He has pointed out that tragedy and violence may come upon anyone at any time. As does any person, each member of the crowd which follows Jesus has a limited amount of time in which to repent of their sins and reconcile with God (Luke 13:1–9). Jesus also explained that salvation does not come to everyone who claims Abraham as father. Those who do not identify themselves with Jesus will not be saved (Luke 13:22–30). God has tried to get their attention for generations. Instead of listening, they effectively kill the prophets by not listening to their words that would point them to the source of hope (Luke 11:47–52; 13:33).

"Jerusalem" doesn't just refer to the city. It also means the Jews as a nation and/or the Jewish religious leaders who are headquartered in Jerusalem. This parallels how modern people might speak of American actions by referring to "Washington" or those of Russia by mentioning "Moscow." Not all the prophets died in Jerusalem, nor did all of them die at the hands of religious leaders; most of the Old Testament prophets seem to have died of natural causes but many were murdered.

The Bible doesn't mention the deaths of many of the prophets. Extra-biblical sources say Isaiah was killed by King Manasseh of Judah; Jeremiah was stoned to death by the Jews who kidnapped him and took him to Egypt; Ezekiel was killed in Babylon after warning the Jews against worshiping idols; Micah was killed by King Joram of Israel; and Amos died of injuries given by Amaziah, false priest of Israel, and his sons.

God overwhelmingly uses male terminology for Himself in the Bible. And yet, as women are also made in His image, He also has attributes we would consider to be female characteristics. Here, Jesus compares Himself to a protective mother hen. In the Old Testament, God compares Himself to a mother several times (Deuteronomy 32:18; Isaiah 49:15; 66:13).

Luke 13:31–35 concludes the first group of Jesus' teachings. These included a miracle followed by lessons about salvation and the kingdom of God. Having explained that the kingdom is near but the opportunity to enter is limited and the door is narrow, Jesus describes that door by prophesying His death and resurrection. He then mourns for the Jews in Jerusalem who will refuse to enter. Next is a similar section that begins with a Sabbath healing and includes more teachings about the kingdom and salvation (Luke 14:1—15:32). A similar lament is recorded in Matthew 23:37–39.

Jesus uses real-world examples to show that tragedy and death can come to anyone, even the righteous. No one should delay in reconciling to God; time is running out. Jesus heals a woman in the synagogue, on the Sabbath, triggering an angry response. Jesus scolds the synagogue leader, then preaches about the inevitable spread of the gospel around the entire world. However, He also notes that most people will reject this message, including the people of Israel.

Luke 9:51—19:27 is sometimes called "Jesus' Travelogue to Jerusalem." The segment describes how Jesus prepared the disciples for their future as He approached His own death and resurrection. Interspersed are a few altercations with religious leaders. There are calls for the crowd to repent of their sins and reconcile with God before it's too late. In Luke 13, two stories in particular reveal Jesus' heart. In one, He heals a long-suffering woman on the Sabbath; healing is a type of rest. In the last, He mourns the fact that, for now, the Jews as a nation will reject their Messiah.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.