Luke 13:34
What does Luke 13:34 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 13:34 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 13:34 means
Jesus expresses a profound lament over Jerusalem, personifying the city as one that "killeth the prophets, and stoneth them that are sent unto her." He powerfully conveys His tender, protective love for its people, comparing Himself to a hen longing to gather her chicks under her wings for safety. This imagery highlights His persistent desire to offer divine protection and salvation, sadly met with their repeated unwillingness and rejection of His grace. This lament expresses His sorrow over their spiritual stubbornness.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000O 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
King James Version · 1611O 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!
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901O 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!
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, putting to death the prophets, and stoning those who were sent to her! again and again would I have taken your children to myself, as a bird takes her young ones under her wings, but you would not!
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`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.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killest the prophets; and stonest them that are sent to thee, how often would I have gathered thy children as the bird doth her brood under her wings, and thou wouldest not?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Jerusalem, 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.
Context
Immediately after stating His necessary journey toward Jerusalem and His destined end there in verse 33, Jesus breaks into a passionate lament over the city. This verse reveals the deep anguish and compassion Jesus felt for Jerusalem despite its historical rejection of God's messengers. This emotional outcry sets the stage for His prophetic declaration concerning the city's desolate future due to its continued spiritual blindness and rejection of Him as Messiah.
v.33Nevertheless I must go on my way to-day and to-morrow and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.
v.34This passage
v.35Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Deuteronomy 32:29
Oh that they were wise, that they understood this, That they would consider their latter end!
- Isaiah 48:17
Thus saith Jehovah, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am Jehovah thy God, who teacheth thee to profit, who leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.
- Jeremiah 35:14
The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, that he commanded his sons, not to drink wine, are performed; and unto this day they drink none, for they obey their father’s commandment. But I have spoken unto you, rising up early and speaking; and ye have not hearkened unto me.
- Hosea 11:2
The more the prophets called them, the more they went from them: they sacrificed unto the Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.
- Lamentations 4:13
It isbecause of the sins of her prophets, andthe iniquities of her priests, That have shed the blood of the just in the midst of her.
- Matthew 21:35
And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.
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