Matthew 23:37

Commentary Matthew 23:37

Matthew 23:37 in Context

In the NKJV, Matthew 23:37 reads as follows:

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

This verse must be understood as part of a larger denunciation found in Matthew 23, where Jesus confronts the religious leaders of His day for their hypocrisy, legalistic practices, and the rejection of genuine prophetic truth. In this context, Jesus’ lament over Jerusalem is not merely an expression of mourning but a profound declaration of divine compassion juxtaposed with human obstinacy. His address—“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem”—echoes the depth of sorrow that arises from seeing a people, part of God’s chosen community, continually rejecting the messengers of God’s grace and revelation.

Theological Reflections

Divine Longing and Human Rebellion

Matthew 23:37 powerfully encapsulates the tension between the sovereign, tender initiative of God and the equally sovereign, though fallen, human response. Jesus’ mockery of the nurturing image—a hen gathering her chicks—is employed to convey the depth of His desire to protect, guide, and care for His people. However, this intimate care is thwarted by human rebellion: the people’s unwillingness to yield to God’s saving invitation.

While God’s grace is irresistibly offered in His sovereign electing love, humanity’s total depravity manifests in its persistent, though often unconscious, resistance to that grace. The rejection of the prophets, and ultimately of Christ’s loving care, reflects the hardening of the heart—a condition that necessitates divine intervention through regeneration by the Holy Spirit.

Prophetic Lament as a Warning

Within Matthew 23, Jesus’ bitter lament is a response not only to historical disobedience but also to a pattern of continual rebellion. Prophetic warnings serve as a mirror to our own tendencies towards legalism and superficial religiosity. The rejection of God’s call, as encapsulated in the final words—“but you were not willing”—stands as a solemn warning: it is not enough to perform outward acts of piety if the heart remains unresponsive and veiled by sin.

The imagery in Matthew 23:37, then, becomes a dual reminder. It is both a celebration of the rich, protective love of Christ and a plea for repentance from those who, like ancient Jerusalem, persist in their resistance. In modern Christian living, this means that the church and the individual must continually examine their hearts, ensuring that external religious devotion is accompanied by inner transformation—a truth central to the doctrines of justification and sanctification.

Application to Modern Christian Living

Self-Examination and Repentance:

The call of Matthew 23:37 challenges believers to look inward. Just as Jesus lamented the hard-heartedness of Jerusalem, modern Christians are invited to critically assess whether their religious practises reflect a true, heartfelt commitment or merely an external show. It serves as a reminder that a vibrant, transformative relationship with God is marked not by legalistic observance but by humble, sincere repentance and the fruit of the Spirit.

The Centrality of Divine Grace:

Salvation is an act of divine election and grace. The nurturing metaphor of a hen gathering her chicks symbolises the secure, protective care of a sovereign God who longs for an intimate fellowship with His people. Modern believers are encouraged to reach beyond superficial religiosity and embrace the free gift of grace, recognising that true security comes by being drawn into a loving relationship with Christ.

Evangelism and Pastoral Care:

Given that the rejection of God’s care results in divine sorrow, Christians are reminded of the critical importance of genuine pastoral care and evangelism. The church is called to actively engage with those who are spiritually estranged, showing the same tenderness that Jesus displayed—even when His invitations were repeatedly spurned. This means that in all forms of ministry, the emphasis should be on extending God’s grace with humility and compassion.

Warning Against Hypocrisy:

Matthew 23 as a whole is an indictment of hypocrisy. For modern believers, this teaching emphasises the need for integrity in both personal and communal worship. The heart of the verse warns that when religious practice becomes mere performance, the genuine love and protective care of Christ is obscured. Hence, authentic faith is marked by an internal transformation that visibly manifests in acts of mercy, justice, and humility.

Teaching from Matthew 23:37

The core teaching of Matthew 23:37 is that God’s compassion is boundless and nurturing, yet it is met with human resistance when hearts are hardened by sin and hypocrisy. Jesus’ metaphor of the hen gathering her chicks vividly portrays His yearning to protect and redeem His people—a reminder that divine love is both gracious and protective. This truth reinforces that while God initiates salvation out of sovereign grace, the human response of genuine repentance is essential. The verse is a clarion call for believers to avoid spiritual complacency, to eschew hypocritical religiosity, and to live lives that reflect a true, inward transformation brought about by the work of the Holy Spirit.

This commentary contextualises the poignant words of Jesus in Matthew 23:37 and also challenges modern believers to internalise the dual aspects of divine tenderness and the consequences of a hardened heart. By continually seeking genuine transformation and embracing God’s sovereign grace, contemporary Christians can live lives that truly reflect the redeeming love of Christ.