Jesus’ statement about wanting to gather Jerusalem’s children like a hen gathers her chicks is found in Matthew 23:37, which says “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!” This verse comes near the end of Jesus’ denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees and His lament over Jerusalem in Matthew 23. To understand why Jesus made this statement, we need to examine the context and imagery He used.
The Context of Jesus’ Lament over Jerusalem
In Matthew 23, Jesus pronounces a series of woes upon the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy and self-righteousness (vv. 13-36). Immediately after this, Jesus laments over the city of Jerusalem for rejecting and killing the prophets sent to her (v. 37). The context shows that Jesus is grieved over Jerusalem’s long history of unbelief and rejection of God’s messengers, which would ultimately culminate in their rejection of Jesus Himself. Though Jesus had taught and performed many miracles in Jerusalem, the religious leaders continued to oppose Him and plot His death. Jesus knew that Jerusalem’s rebellion against God would lead to its destruction (which historically took place in AD 70 at the hands of the Romans) and this caused Him deep anguish and sorrow.
The Imagery of a Hen Gathering Her Chicks
To express His grief and desire toward Jerusalem, Jesus used the metaphor of a hen gathering her chicks under her wings. This was a vivid visual that His listeners could easily understand. Just like a mother hen calls her chicks to come and take refuge beneath her wings when she senses impending danger, Jesus had repeatedly called the people of Jerusalem to come to Him for salvation and protection from the judgment coming upon them for their sins. But they were unwilling to submit to Him and heed His warnings of danger ahead. A hen’s wings provided warmth, shelter, comfort and security for her chicks. This perfectly pictured Jesus’ desire to spiritually protect, care for, and save the people of Jerusalem under His loving “wings” of salvation.
The hen metaphor emphasized Jesus’ deep longing to gather the people of Jerusalem to Himself as a mother hen provides care and safety for her young. It highlights His protective love for them and desire to keep them from the coming disaster they were headed for. Jesus knew the devastation the Romans would soon inflict due to the people’s rejection of God’s Messiah. He longed to have spiritually shielded them from this, but they were unwilling to come to Him for salvation.
Why Jesus Wanted to Gather Jerusalem Like a Hen
Based on the context and the metaphor Jesus used, we can see several reasons behind His statement:
- Jesus had a deep, tender love and compassion for the people of Jerusalem, even though they rejected Him.
- He grieved over the impending devastation He knew would come upon them.
- He longed to protectively gather them to Himself for salvation and safety, like a mother hen gathers her chicks under her wings.
- He had persistently reached out to them with warnings and invitations to receive His salvation and avoid the coming judgment for their sins.
- He knew they would not listen to Him or submit to His offer of salvation, yet still grieved deeply over their rebellion and unbelief.
Jesus wanted to gather Jerusalem and bring them into the safe refuge of His salvation, though He knew they would not heed His call. Despite being rejected by them, He still loved them deeply and it caused Him intense sorrow to know the judgment they were bringing upon themselves.
Lessons We Can Learn from Jesus’ Lament over Jerusalem
There are some key lessons we can take from Jesus’ lament over Jerusalem:
- The danger of rejecting Christ – Jesus warned Jerusalem that rejecting Him would lead to its devastation. There are serious consequences in refusing Christ’s offer of salvation. (John 3:18, 36)
- God’s persistent love – Even when rejected, Jesus still loved Jerusalem and kept reaching out to save the people from the coming judgment.
- Christ’s compassion – Jesus’ lament highlights His deep love and compassion for people, even undeserving sinners.
- Taking refuge under Christ’s “wings” – We must make sure to take the refuge of salvation offered under Christ’s “wings” to avoid the judgment for our sins. (Luke 13:34-35)
- The coming judgment – Disaster and judgment inevitably fall upon those who continually rebel against God. Jerusalem illustrates this.
The Fulfillment of Jesus’ Lament
Tragically, Jerusalem did not heed Jesus’ warnings and pleas. Less than 40 years after Jesus lamented over the city and declared its house would be left “desolate” (Matthew 23:38), the Roman emperor Titus destroyed Jerusalem in AD 70 after a horrific siege. The Romans slaughtered multitudes, razed the city, and demolished the temple. Jesus’ striking prophecy that “not one stone [of the temple] will be left on another” (Matthew 24:2) was fulfilled literally. The destruction of Jerusalem graphically illustrated the consequences of rejecting Jesus Christ.
Yet despite Jerusalem’s devastation, Jesus’ lament also contained a future note of hope. After pronouncing coming desolation for those who rejected Him, Jesus stated, “You will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord’” (Matthew 23:39). This hints that a day would come when the Jewish people would turn to Jesus as their Messiah. As the Apostle Paul explained in Romans 11:25-29, after the “fullness of the Gentiles has come in”, a time is coming when “all Israel will be saved” as they turn to recognize Jesus as Lord and Messiah.
Conclusion
Jesus longed to gather and protectively save the people of Jerusalem, like a mother hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But tragically, they rejected His salvation and suffered devastation and judgment for their unbelief, just as Jesus warned. Yet in the future, Scripture indicates that the Jewish people will turn to embrace Jesus as their long-promised Messiah. Jesus’ lament over Jerusalem vividly shows His compassionate heart that seeks to save people who are perishing without His salvation. It serves as a lesson to each of us to make sure we humbly take refuge under Christ’s “wings” by trusting in Him as Savior and Lord.
In summary, Jesus wanted to gather Jerusalem and protect them from coming disaster out of deep, merciful love – even though He knew they would reject Him. His lament highlights divine compassion and His repeated efforts to save those wandering toward judgment. Though Jerusalem rejected Christ then, His promises give hope they will receive Him in the future.