New Testament
Matthew 23:37
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
"Jerusalem, Jerusalem — you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you! How many times I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you refused!
Compare translations
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!
What Matthew 23:37 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Jesus expresses deep sorrow over Jerusalem's rejection of the prophets and messengers sent by God. He uses the metaphor of a hen gathering her chicks to illustrate His desire to protect and nurture the people of Jerusalem. Despite His longing to bring them together in safety and love, they have consistently turned away from Him. This highlights the tragic consequences of rejecting divine guidance and the protective love that God offers. Jesus' lament reveals His compassion and the pain He feels when people choose to ignore His call for repentance and relationship. The imagery of a hen signifies warmth, care, and a desire for unity, contrasting sharply with the violent actions of the people who kill and stone those who come to help them. This verse serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of accepting God's invitation to safety and community.
How to apply Matthew 23:37 to your life
This verse encourages us to reflect on our openness to God's guidance. Just as Jesus longed to gather Jerusalem's children, He desires to protect and nurture us. We should be mindful of how we respond to divine messages and seek to embrace God's love and direction in our lives.
Curated for this public verse page. Matthew Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Paul's story: The Stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:57–8:2)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Paul
Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002725045). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Nazareth, Israel; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Nazareth
The small town in Galilee where Jesus grew up.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Matthew 23:37
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Matthew 23:37
Related Bible verses
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Matthew
- Author
- Matthew the apostle
- Written
- Around AD 60-70
- Genre
- Gospel
- Original Audience
- Jewish Christians
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Matthew 23:37 mean?
Matthew 23:37 expresses Jesus' sorrow over Jerusalem's rejection of God's prophets. He uses the metaphor of a hen gathering her chicks to show His desire to protect and nurture the people, highlighting their refusal to accept His love and guidance.
What is the meaning of the metaphor in Matthew 23:37?
The metaphor of a hen gathering her chicks in Matthew 23:37 symbolizes Jesus' longing to protect and care for the people of Jerusalem. It illustrates His compassion and desire for unity, contrasting with their violent rejection of His messengers.
Why does Jesus refer to Jerusalem in Matthew 23:37?
Jesus refers to Jerusalem in Matthew 23:37 to highlight the city's role in rejecting God's prophets. By addressing Jerusalem directly, He emphasizes the collective responsibility of its people for their actions and the consequences of turning away from divine guidance.
What themes are present in Matthew 23:37?
Key themes in Matthew 23:37 include the rejection of prophets, divine compassion, the metaphor of protection, longing for relationship, consequences of disobedience, and a call to repentance. These themes illustrate the emotional depth of Jesus' message and His desire for reconciliation.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.