- Matthew 23:37-38 (KJV): “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! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.” This passage is a lament from Jesus over Jerusalem, expressing His desire to gather its people and their rejection of Him, leading to the city’s impending Judgment.
- 2 Esdras (Apocrypha): This book is part of the Apocrypha, which are writings included in some versions of the Bible (like the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox canons), but not considered part of the inspired, inerrant canon by most Protestant traditions. Second Esdras, also known as 4 Ezra, contains prophetic visions and laments over the destruction of Jerusalem and the suffering of God’s people. There are passages within 2 Esdras that speak of God’s desire to protect Israel and their refusal, leading to divine judgment. For instance, in 2 Esdras 1:30-33 (RSV Apocrypha), it states, “I gathered you as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings; but now what shall I do to you? I will cast you out from my presence. When you offer oblations to me, I will turn my face from you; for I have rejected your feast days, and new moons, and circumcisions of your flesh because of the evil you have wrought. I sent to you my servants the prophets, but you have taken and slain them and torn their bodies in pieces.”
The following video attempts to make the argument that Jesus, did in fact, quote from the 2 Book of Esdras. Make note that dates of writing are never mentioned.
Scholars generally conclude that Jesus did not quote 2 Esdras in Matthew 23:37–38 because 2 Esdras was likely written after Jesus’ death, making direct quotation impossible.
- Chronological Discrepancy: Most biblical scholars date the composition of 2 Esdras (specifically the Latin chapters 1–2 containing the quote) to 70–90 CE, whereas the Gospel of Matthew was written before 70 CE. This timeline suggests that if the similarity exists, 2 Esdras is quoting Jesus, not the reverse.
- Textual Similarity: Matthew 23:37 (“how often would I have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings”) bears a strong resemblance to 2 Esdras 1:30 (“I gathered you as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings”).
- Alternative Explanations: Some commentators suggest Jesus was using a common Jewish idiom or alluding to earlier canonical scriptures (such as Psalm 91 or Deuteronomy) rather than an apocryphal text. Others note that the early chapters of 2 Esdras may contain Christian interpolations added later to align with the Gospel narratives.
- Canonical Status: 2 Esdras is considered apocryphal by most Jewish, Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant traditions, meaning it was not part of the Hebrew Bible or the standard Protestant Old Testament canon recognized during Jesus’ time.
Textural Analysis:
The imagery of a hen gathering her chicks is a common biblical metaphor for God’s protective care, appearing in the Old Testament in passages like Deuteronomy 32:11, Psalm 17:8, and Psalm 91:4. It’s a rich metaphor that would have been familiar to Jesus’ audience.
The lament over Jerusalem’s rejection of the prophets and the theme of impending desolation are recurring themes throughout the Old Testament (e.g., Jeremiah 7:1-15, Ezekiel 10:18-19, Ezekiel 11:22-23). Jesus’ words in Matthew 23:37-38 draw upon this established prophetic tradition, lamenting Israel’s historical pattern of rejecting God’s messengers.
The Tyndale Open Study Notes for Matthew 23:37 mention that the image of a hen is one of protective care, also seen in Deuteronomy 32:11, Ruth 2:12, Psalms 17:8, 36:7, 57:1, 61:4, and 91:4 [1]. For Matthew 23:38, the notes state that “your house is abandoned and desolate” signifies that God would withdraw His presence from The Temple (Ezekiel 10:18-19; 11:22-23) and that both the Temple and Jerusalem would be destroyed [2]. This aligns with the understanding that Jesus was speaking within a long-established prophetic tradition.
Therefore, while the themes and even some imagery found in Matthew 23:37-38 can also be found in 2 Esdras, it’s more accurate to say that both texts draw from a common wellspring of Old Testament prophetic tradition rather than Jesus directly quoting 2 Esdras. Jesus’ lament is deeply rooted in the canonical Scriptures and the history of Israel.
