New Testament · Gospel

Luke 13:34

The Narrow Door

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! Luke 13:34 · Berean Standard Bible
What It Means

Luke 13:34, in plain English

This is one of the most emotional moments in the Gospels. Jesus cries out over Jerusalem like a mother hen wanting to shelter her chicks, heartbroken that the city keeps pushing God away.

Why it's here

Jerusalem was supposed to be the place where God's presence dwelled, but it became the place where prophets were killed — and Jesus knows He'll be next.

Who's speaking

Jesus speaks with raw, aching love for a city and a people who have repeatedly rejected God's messengers.

Where it sits in the story

Picture Jesus standing with tears, looking toward Jerusalem, longing to protect and gather the people He loves — but they won't let Him.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

Jesus's lament over Jerusalem (apostrophe) employs the maternal image of a hen (ornis) gathering chicks — a metaphor for divine protection found in OT imagery (Ps 91:4, Ruth 2:12). The double vocative 'Jerusalem, Jerusalem' intensifies the pathos.

Language and setting

This oracle of judgment links Jerusalem's history of killing prophets to its impending rejection of Jesus, forming a bridge between His ministry and the passion narrative.

Voice

Jesus speaks as the rejected Messiah lamenting over the city, revealing deep emotional anguish over Israel's persistent refusal of divine care.

Significance

Jesus pauses His journey to pour out grief over the city that kills its prophets — He longed to protect her people, but they refused His embrace.

In context

Luke 13:32–35

32But Jesus replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘Look, I will keep driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach My goal.’

33Nevertheless, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day, for it is not admissible for a prophet to perish outside of Jerusalem.

34O 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!

35Look, your house is left to you desolate. And I tell you that you will not see Me again until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

Read all of Luke 13 — A bent-over woman is healed on the Sabbath, a mustard seed grows into a tree, and Jesus weeps over Jerusalem's refusal to come home.

Understand every verse, not just this one

This page covers one. BibleKey does all 31,102 — tap any verse for its meaning, any word for its Hebrew or Greek root, and keep reading without leaving the chapter.

Get BibleKey

Understand every verse.

Not just the famous ones. BibleKey is free on iPhone and iPad.

Download on the App Store

Free on iPhone & iPad