Matthew 23:37

KJV1611 – Modern English

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you, how often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Ἰερουσαλήμ, Ἰερουσαλήμ, ἡ ἀποκτείνουσα τοὺς προφήτας, καὶ λιθοβολοῦσα τοὺς ἀπεσταλμένους πρὸς αὐτήν, ποσάκις ἠθέλησα ἐπισυναγαγεῖν τὰ τέκνα σου, ὃν τρόπον ἐπισυνάγει ὄρνις τὰ νοσσία ἑαυτῆς ὑπὸ τὰς πτέρυγας, καὶ οὐκ ἠθελήσατε!

Transliteration

Ierousalēm, Ierousalēm, the one apokteinousa the prophētas, and lithobolousa the ones apestalmenous pros her, how-often ēthelēsa episynagagein the tekna of-you, which tropon episynagei ornis the nossia of-herself under the pterygas, and not ēthelēsate!

Grammar Details

• *Ierousalēm*: vocative - Jerusalem (direct address, repeated for emphasis)
• *hē apokteinousa*: present, active, participle, nominative, feminine, singular with article - the one killing
• *prophētas*: accusative, masculine, plural - prophets
• *lithobolousa*: present, active, participle, nominative, feminine, singular - stoning
• *apestalmenous*: perfect, passive, participle, accusative, masculine, plural - having been sent
• *pros*: preposition with accusative - to/toward
• *autēn*: accusative, feminine, singular - her
• *posakis*: interrogative adverb - how often/how many times
• *ēthelēsa*: aorist, active, indicative, 1st person singular - I wanted/wished
• *episynagagein*: aorist, active, infinitive - to gather together
• *tekna*: accusative, neuter, plural - children
• *sou*: genitive, singular - of you
• *hon tropon*: accusative of manner - in which manner/way
• *episynagei*: present, active, indicative, 3rd person singular - gathers together
• *ornis*: nominative, feminine, singular - bird/hen
• *nossia*: accusative, neuter, plural - young birds/chicks
• *heautēs*: genitive, feminine, singular, reflexive pronoun - of herself
• *hypo*: preposition with accusative - under
• *pterygas*: accusative, feminine, plural - wings
• *ouk ēthelēsate*: aorist, active, indicative, 2nd person plural with negative - you did not want/wish

Word Meanings

• *apokteinousa*: killing/putting to death/slaying
• *prophētas*: prophets/those who speak for God
• *lithobolousa*: stoning/throwing stones at
• *apestalmenous*: having been sent/commissioned/dispatched
• *ēthelēsa*: wanted/wished/desired
• *episynagagein*: to gather together/collect/bring together
• *tekna*: children/offspring/inhabitants
• *tropon*: manner/way/method
• *episynagei*: gathers together/collects/brings together
• *ornis*: bird/hen/mother bird
• *nossia*: young birds/chicks/brood
• *pterygas*: wings/feathered appendages
• *ēthelēsate*: wanted/wished/were willing

Other Translations

• Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

  Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you! How often I have wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  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!

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  O Jerusalem,{G2419} Jerusalem,{G2419} that killeth{G615} the prophets,{G4396} and{G2532} stoneth{G3036} them that are sent{G649} unto{G4314} her!{G846} how often{G4212} would I have{G2309} gathered{G1996} thy{G4675} children{G5043} together,{G1996} even{G3739} as{G5158} a hen{G3733} gathereth{G1996} her{G1438} chickens{G3556} under{G5259} her wings,{G4420} and{G2532} ye would{G2309} not!{G3756}

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  O Jerusalem{G2419}, Jerusalem{G2419}, thou that killest{G615}{(G5723)} the prophets{G4396}, and{G2532} stonest{G3036}{(G5723)} them which are sent{G649}{(G5772)} unto{G4314} thee{G846}, how often{G4212} would I{G2309}{(G5656)} have gathered{G1996} thy{G4675}{G3739} children{G5043} together{G1996}{(G5629)}, even as{G5158} a hen{G3733} gathereth{G1996}{(G5719)} her{G1438} chickens{G3556} under{G5259} her wings{G4420}, and{G2532} ye would{G2309}{(G5656)} not{G3756}!

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  Hierusalem hierusalem which kyllest prophetes and stonest the which are sent to the: how often wolde I have gadered thy chyldren to gether as the henne gadreth her chickes vnder her winges but ye wolde not:

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  O Ierusalem Ierusalem, thou that slayest the prophetes, and stonest them that are sent vnto the: How oft wolde I haue gathered thy children together, euen as the henne gathereth hir chekens vnder hir wynges, and ye wolde not?

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  Hierusalem, Hierusalem, which killest the Prophets, and stonest them which are sent to thee, how often would I haue gathered thy children together, as the henne gathereth her chickins vnder her wings, and ye would not!

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  O Hierusalem, Hierusalem, thou that kyllest the prophetes, and stonest them which are sent vnto thee: Howe often woulde I haue gathered thy chyldren together, euen as the henne gathereth her chickens vnder her wynges, and ye woulde not?

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  ‹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!›

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets, and stones those who are sent to her! How often would I have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and you would not!

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  `Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that art killing the prophets, and stoning those sent unto thee, how often did I will to gather thy children together, as a hen doth gather her own chickens under the wings, and ye did not will.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killeth the prophets, and stoneth them that are sent unto her! how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

• American Standard Version (1901)

  O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killeth the prophets, and stoneth them that are sent unto her! how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, putting to death the prophets, and stoning those who are sent to her! Again and again would I have taken your children to myself as a bird takes her young ones under her wings, and you would not!

• World English Bible (2000)

  "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets, and stones those who are sent to her! How often I would have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you would not!

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  Judgment on Israel“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you would have none of it!

Referenced Verses

• Deut 32:11-12 : 11 As an eagle stirs up her nest, flutters over her young, spreads abroad her wings, takes them, bears them on her wings: 12 So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no foreign god with him.
• Ruth 2:12 : 12 The LORD recompense your work, and a full reward be given to you by the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to trust.
• Matt 5:12 : 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
• Neh 9:26 : 26 Nevertheless, they were disobedient and rebelled against You, cast Your law behind their backs, and killed Your prophets who testified against them, to turn them back to You, and they performed great provocations.
• Ps 63:7 : 7 Because you have been my help, therefore in the shadow of your wings will I rejoice.
• Jer 6:16-17 : 16 Thus says the LORD, Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk therein, and you shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk in it. 17 Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Listen to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not listen.
• Luke 13:34-35 : 34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets, and stone those who are sent to you; how often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing! 35 Behold, your house is left to you desolate; and assuredly I say to you, You shall not see me until the time comes when you say, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
• Luke 14:17-20 : 17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, Come; for all things are now ready. 18 And they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it: I ask you to have me excused. 19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them: I ask you to have me excused. 20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
• Luke 15:28 : 28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore his father came out, and pleaded with him.
• Luke 19:14-44 : 14 But his citizens hated him and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. 15 And it came to pass, when he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded these servants to be called to him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. 16 Then came the first, saying, Lord, your pound has gained ten pounds. 17 And he said to him, Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in very little, have authority over ten cities. 18 And the second came, saying, Lord, your pound has gained five pounds. 19 And he said likewise to him, Be also over five cities. 20 And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is your pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin. 21 For I feared you, because you are an austere man; you take up what you did not lay down, and reap what you did not sow. 22 And he said to him, Out of your own mouth I will judge you, wicked servant. You knew that I was an austere man, taking up what I did not lay down, and reaping what I did not sow. 23 Why then did you not put my money in the bank, that at my coming I might have collected it with interest? 24 And he said to those who stood by, Take the pound from him and give it to him who has ten pounds. 25 And they said to him, Lord, he has ten pounds. 26 For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 27 But those my enemies, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them before me. 28 And when he had spoken this, he went ahead, ascending up to Jerusalem. 29 And it came to pass, when he came near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, 30 Saying, Go into the village opposite you, where as you enter you will find a colt tied, on which no man has ever sat; untie it and bring it here. 31 And if anyone asks you, Why do you untie it? you shall say to him, Because the Lord has need of it. 32 And those who were sent went their way and found it just as he had said to them. 33 And as they were untying the colt, the owners of it said to them, Why are you untying the colt? 34 And they said, The Lord has need of it. 35 And they brought it to Jesus, and they threw their garments on the colt, and they set Jesus on it. 36 And as he went, they spread their clothes on the road. 37 And when he was nearing, even now at the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, 38 Saying, Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord; peace in heaven and glory in the highest. 39 And some of the Pharisees from among the crowd said to him, Teacher, rebuke your disciples. 40 And he answered and said to them, I tell you that if these should be silent, the stones would immediately cry out. 41 And when he came near, he saw the city and wept over it, 42 Saying, If you had known, even you, at least in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For the days shall come upon you, when your enemies will build an embankment around you and surround you and enclose you on every side, 44 And will level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.
• Luke 20:11-14 : 11 And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. 12 And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out. 13 Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will respect him when they see him. 14 But when the tenant farmers saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.
• Acts 7:51-52 : 51 You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. 52 Which of the prophets have your fathers not persecuted? And they have killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you have now become the betrayers and murderers,
• 1 Thess 2:15 : 15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God, and are contrary to all men:
• Rev 11:7-8 : 7 And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
• Rev 17:6 : 6 And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus; and when I saw her, I marveled with great wonder.
• Jer 11:7-8 : 7 For I earnestly protested to your fathers in the day that I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, even to this day, rising early and protesting, saying, Obey my voice. 8 Yet they did not obey nor incline their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart. Therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do, but they did not do.
• Jer 25:3-7 : 3 From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, even to this day, that is the twenty-third year, the word of the LORD has come to me, and I have spoken to you, rising early and speaking; but you have not listened. 4 And the LORD has sent to you all His servants the prophets, rising early and sending them; but you have not listened, nor inclined your ear to hear. 5 They said, 'Turn now every one from his evil way and from the evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that the LORD has given to you and to your fathers forever and ever: 6 And do not go after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, and do not provoke me to anger with the works of your hands; and I will do you no harm.' 7 Yet you have not listened to Me, says the LORD; that you might provoke Me to anger with the works of your hands to your own harm.
• Jer 26:23 : 23 And they brought Urijah out of Egypt and brought him to Jehoiakim the king, who killed him with the sword and cast his dead body into the tombs of the common people.
• Jer 35:15 : 15 I have sent also to you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Return now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and do not go after other gods to serve them, and you shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: but you have not inclined your ear, nor listened to me.
• Jer 42:9-9 : 9 And said to them, Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, to whom you sent me to present your supplication before him; 10 If you will still abide in this land, then I will build you up, and not pull you down, and I will plant you, and not pluck you up: for I repent of the evil that I have done unto you. 11 Be not afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom you are afraid; be not afraid of him, says the LORD: for I am with you to save you, and to deliver you from his hand. 12 And I will show mercies to you, that he may have mercy upon you, and cause you to return to your own land. 13 But if you say, We will not dwell in this land, neither obey the voice of the LORD your God,
• Jer 44:4 : 4 However I sent to you all my servants the prophets, rising early and sending them, saying, Oh, do not do this abominable thing that I hate.
• Hos 11:2 : 2 As they were called, so they went from them: they sacrificed to Baal, and burned incense to carved images.
• Hos 11:7 : 7 And my people are determined to backslide from me; though they called them to the Most High, none at all would exalt him.
• Zech 1:4 : 4 Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets proclaimed, saying, Thus says the LORD of hosts: Turn now from your evil ways and from your evil deeds. But they did not hear nor listen to Me, says the LORD.
• Ps 81:8-9 : 8 Hear, O my people, and I will testify to you; O Israel, if you will listen to me; 9 There shall be no strange god among you; nor shall you worship any foreign god. 10 I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt; open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. 11 But my people would not listen to my voice; and Israel did not want me.
• Ps 91:4 : 4 He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall trust: His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
• Prov 1:24-31 : 24 Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand, yet no one paid attention; 25 But you have disregarded all my counsel, and would have none of my rebuke; 26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear comes; 27 When your fear comes like desolation, and your destruction comes like a whirlwind; when distress and anguish come upon you. 28 Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but they will not find me; 29 Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD; 30 They would have none of my counsel and despised all my rebuke. 31 Therefore they will eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
• Isa 50:2 : 2 Why, when I came, was there no man? When I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? Or have I no power to deliver? Behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stink because there is no water and die for thirst.
• Jer 2:30 : 30 In vain have I struck your children; they received no correction: your own sword has devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.
• Jer 4:14 : 14 O Jerusalem, wash your heart from wickedness, that you may be saved. How long shall your vain thoughts lodge within you?
• Jer 6:8 : 8 Be instructed, O Jerusalem, lest my soul depart from you; lest I make you desolate, a land not inhabited.
• Ps 17:8 : 8 Keep me as the apple of the eye; hide me under the shadow of your wings.
• Ps 36:7 : 7 How excellent is your lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of your wings.
• Ps 57:1 : 1 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for my soul trusts in you; yes, in the shadow of your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by.
• 2 Chr 24:21-22 : 21 And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the command of the king in the court of the house of the LORD. 22 So Joash the king did not remember the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but killed his son. And when he died, he said, The LORD look upon it, and require it.
• 2 Chr 36:15-16 : 15 And the LORD God of their fathers sent warnings to them by his messengers, rising up early and sending them, because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place. 16 But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, until there was no remedy.
• Matt 21:35-36 : 35 And the vine dressers took his servants, beat one, killed another, and stoned another. 36 Again, he sent other servants more than the first, and they did likewise to them.
• Matt 22:3 : 3 And sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they would not come.
• Matt 22:6 : 6 And the rest seized his servants, mistreated them spitefully, and killed them.
• Matt 23:30 : 30 and say, If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
• Mark 12:3-6 : 3 But they seized him, and beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. 4 Again, he sent another servant to them; and they threw stones at him, wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully treated. 5 He sent yet another, and him they killed; as well as many others, beating some and killing some. 6 Therefore, having one son, his beloved, he sent him to them last, saying, 'They will respect my son.'