The Meaning of Luke 13:34 Explained

Luke 13:34

KJV: O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!

YLT: 'Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that is killing the prophets, and stoning those sent unto her, how often did I will to gather together thy children, as a hen her brood under the wings, and ye did not will.

Darby: Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those that are sent unto her, how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen her brood under her wings, and ye would not.

ASV: 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 own brood under her wings, and ye would not!

KJV Reverse Interlinear

O Jerusalem,  Jerusalem,  which  killest  the prophets,  and  stonest  them that are sent  unto  thee;  how often  would  I have gathered  thy  children  together,  as  a hen  [doth gather] her  brood  under  [her] wings,  and  ye would  not! 

What does Luke 13:34 Mean?

Context Summary

Luke 13:31-35 - The Lament For Those Who "would Not"
Our Lord was at that time in Perea, in the jurisdiction of Herod, who probably desired to get rid of Him, lest His presence should introduce political complications. Our Lord saw through and exposed his stratagem. How awful to be read by the light of divine purity! He also kept His eye on heaven's dial-plate, and knew that He was immortal till His work was done.
Jerusalem was clearly indicated as the scene of His death; and the city was already so deeply dyed with martyr blood that it would hardly have been congruous for Him to suffer anywhere else. Note that pathetic wail of disappointed love. God's brooding love desires to interpose between us and the hovering peril; but we have the awful power to neglect or reject the covering wings of the Shechinah. See Ruth 2:12 and Psalms 91:4.
In Luke 14:1-6 we have a specimen of Christ's table-talk, which He continues through the Luke 14:24. Though He knew that He was being watched, nothing could stanch His power and love. If men care for their beasts, how much more will Christ care for men! [source]

Chapter Summary: Luke 13

1  Jesus preaches repentance upon the punishment of the Galilaeans and others
6  The fruitless fig tree may not stand
10  He heals the crooked woman;
18  shows the powerful working of the word, by the parable of the grain of mustard seed,
20  and of leaven;
22  exhorts to enter in at the strait gate;
31  and reproves Herod and Jerusalem

Greek Commentary for Luke 13:34

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem [Ιερουσαλημ Ιερουσαλημ]
In Matthew 23:37. Jesus utters a similar lament over Jerusalem. The connection suits both there and here, but Plummer considers it “rather a violent hypothesis” to suppose that Jesus spoke these words twice. It is possible, of course, though not like Luke‘s usual method, that he put the words here because of the mention of Jerusalem. In itself it is not easy to see why Jesus could not have made the lament both here and in Jerusalem. The language of the apostrophe is almost identical in both places (Luke 13:34.; Matthew 23:37-39). For details see on Matthew. In Luke we have επισυναγαγειν — episunaxai (late first aorist active infinitive) and in Matthew επισυναγω — episunagagein (second aorist active infinitive), both from ποσακις ητελησα — episunagō a double compound of late Greek (Polybius). Both have “How often would I” How often did I wish. Clearly showing that Jesus made repeated visits to Jerusalem as we know otherwise only from John‘s Gospel. [source]
Even as [νοσσιαν]
Accusative of general reference and in Matthew 23:37 also. Incorporation of antecedent into the relative clause.Brood (νοσσια — nossian) is in Luke while Matthew has chickens (νεοσσια — nossia), both late forms for the older ερημος — neossia The adjective desolate (erēmos) is wanting in Luke 13:35 and is doubtful in Matthew 23:39. [source]
Brood [νοσσια]
(νοσσια — nossian) is in Luke while Matthew has chickens (νεοσσια — nossia), both late forms for the older ερημος — neossia The adjective desolate (erēmos) is wanting in Luke 13:35 and is doubtful in Matthew 23:39. [source]
Would I have gathered [ἠθέλησα ἐπισυνάξαι]
Lit., “I desired to gather.” See on will kill, Luke 13:31. [source]
Hen []
See on Matthew 23:37. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Luke 13:34

Luke 9:58 Birds [πετεινὰ]
Strictly, flying fowl. The common word for bird in the New Testament. Ὄρνις , occurs Matthew 23:37; Luke 13:34; but both times in the sense of hen. See on Matthew 23:37. Ὄρνεον is found in Revelation 18:2; Revelation 19:17, Revelation 19:21; and πτηνόν , another form for the word in this passage, occurs 1 Corinthians 15:30. [source]
Luke 13:34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem [Ιερουσαλημ Ιερουσαλημ]
In Matthew 23:37. Jesus utters a similar lament over Jerusalem. The connection suits both there and here, but Plummer considers it “rather a violent hypothesis” to suppose that Jesus spoke these words twice. It is possible, of course, though not like Luke‘s usual method, that he put the words here because of the mention of Jerusalem. In itself it is not easy to see why Jesus could not have made the lament both here and in Jerusalem. The language of the apostrophe is almost identical in both places (Luke 13:34.; Matthew 23:37-39). For details see on Matthew. In Luke we have επισυναγαγειν — episunaxai (late first aorist active infinitive) and in Matthew επισυναγω — episunagagein (second aorist active infinitive), both from ποσακις ητελησα — episunagō a double compound of late Greek (Polybius). Both have “How often would I” How often did I wish. Clearly showing that Jesus made repeated visits to Jerusalem as we know otherwise only from John‘s Gospel. [source]
Romans 10:21 Disobedient - gainsaying [ἀπειθοῦντα - ἀντιλέγοντα]
See on John 3:36; see on Judges 1:11. Disobedience is the manifestation of the refractoriness expressed in gainsaying. Some explain gainsaying as contradicting. Compare Luke 13:34, Luke 13:35. [source]
Romans 10:21 Did I spread out [εχεπετασα]
First aorist active indicative of εκπεταννυμι — ekpetannumi old verb, to stretch out, bold metaphor, only here in N.T. Unto a disobedient and a gainsaying people (προς λαον απειτουντα και αντιλεγοντα — pros laon apeithounta kai antilegonta). “Unto a people disobeying and talking back.” The two things usually go together. Contrary and contradictory (Luke 13:34.). [source]
Romans 10:21 Unto a disobedient and a gainsaying people [προς λαον απειτουντα και αντιλεγοντα]
“Unto a people disobeying and talking back.” The two things usually go together. Contrary and contradictory (Luke 13:34.). [source]
2 Timothy 3:8 As [ὃν τρόπον]
The formula occurs in the Synoptic Gospels (see Matthew 23:37; Luke 13:34), and in Acts (Acts 1:11; Acts 7:28), but not in Paul. Jannes and Jambres. According to tradition, the names of the chiefs of the magicians who opposed Moses. Exodus 7:11, Exodus 7:22. [source]
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness [ἀφιλάργυρος ὁ τρόπος]
Τρόπος originally turn or direction. Hence ways manner, fashion; way or manner of life. In this sense N.T.oElsewhere often in the phrase ὅν τρόπον or καθ ' ὅν τρόπον inor according to the way in which. See Matthew 23:37; Luke 13:34; Acts 1:11; Acts 15:11; Acts 27:25. The meaning here is character or moral disposition. Ἁφιλάργυρος withoutcovetousness, only here and 1 Timothy 3:3, see note. [source]

What do the individual words in Luke 13:34 mean?

Jerusalem Jerusalem - killing the prophets and stoning those having been sent to her how often I have wanted to gather those children of you that way a hen [gathers] - her brood under the wings not you were willing
Ἰερουσαλὴμ Ἰερουσαλήμ ἀποκτείνουσα τοὺς προφήτας καὶ λιθοβολοῦσα τοὺς ἀπεσταλμένους πρὸς αὐτήν ποσάκις ἠθέλησα ἐπισυνάξαι τὰ τέκνα σου ὃν τρόπον ὄρνις τὴν ἑαυτῆς νοσσιὰν ὑπὸ τὰς πτέρυγας οὐκ ἠθελήσατε

Ἰερουσαλὴμ  Jerusalem 
Parse: Noun, Vocative Feminine Singular
Root: Ἰερουσαλήμ  
Sense: denotes either the city itself or the inhabitants.
Ἰερουσαλήμ  Jerusalem 
Parse: Noun, Vocative Feminine Singular
Root: Ἰερουσαλήμ  
Sense: denotes either the city itself or the inhabitants.
  - 
Parse: Article, Vocative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἀποκτείνουσα  killing 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Vocative Feminine Singular
Root: ἀποκτείνω 
Sense: to kill in any way whatever.
προφήτας  prophets 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: προφήτης  
Sense: in Greek writings, an interpreter of oracles or of other hidden things.
λιθοβολοῦσα  stoning 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Vocative Feminine Singular
Root: λιθοβολέω  
Sense: to kill by stoning, to stone.
τοὺς  those 
Parse: Article, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἀπεσταλμένους  having  been  sent 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Participle Middle or Passive, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀποστέλλω 
Sense: to order (one) to go to a place appointed.
αὐτήν  her 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Accusative Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
ποσάκις  how  often 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ποσάκις  
Sense: how often.
ἠθέλησα  I  have  wanted 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: θέλω  
Sense: to will, have in mind, intend.
ἐπισυνάξαι  to  gather 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Active
Root: ἐπισυνάγω  
Sense: to gather together besides, to bring together to others already assembled.
τὰ  those 
Parse: Article, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
τέκνα  children 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: τέκνον  
Sense: offspring, children.
σου  of  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
ὃν  that 
Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: ὅς 
Sense: who, which, what, that.
τρόπον  way 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: τρόπος  
Sense: a manner, way, fashion.
ὄρνις  a  hen  [gathers] 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: ὄρινξ 
Sense: a bird.
τὴν  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἑαυτῆς  her 
Parse: Reflexive Pronoun, Genitive Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἑαυτοῦ  
Sense: himself, herself, itself, themselves.
νοσσιὰν  brood 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: νοσσιά  
Sense: a nest of birds.
ὑπὸ  under 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ὑπό  
Sense: by, under.
πτέρυγας  wings 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Plural
Root: πτέρυξ  
Sense: a wing: of birds.
ἠθελήσατε  you  were  willing 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: θέλω  
Sense: to will, have in mind, intend.