At that time some Pharisees came to him and said, “Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill you.” 32 He replied, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I accomplish my purpose. 33 Yet I must continue on my way today, tomorrow, and the following day, for it is impossible that a prophet should die outside of Jerusalem. 34 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling! 35 Behold, your house will be abandoned. [But] I tell you, you will not see me until [the time comes when] you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem (Lk. 9:51), he passed through the territory of Herod Antipas near where Herod had John beheaded. Some Pharisees warned him that he should leave the area because Herod wanted to kill him. The Jews plotted to harm Jesus (Jn. 11:47-53; Mk. 14:1-2; Mt. 26), but in this instance, their intentions were unclear. The Pharisees were primarily a religious group concerned with religious law and practice, while Herod had political and military authority over the regions of Galilee and Perea. The Pharisees might have been trying to get Jesus out of Herod’s territory and into Judea where they would have some power over him.
Jesus the prophet was on his way to Jerusalem in obedience to God to fulfill his mission. Jesus called Herod a “fox” (v. 32) because he was a cunning and deceitful person; Jesus referred to himself as a “hen” (v. 34). Despite the threat, Jesus continued his mission of teaching, preaching, healing, and deliverance in obedience to God’s will. Jesus’ teaching ran counter to some of the accepted social and religious traditions of the time, so he had enemies in powerful positions. Jesus would continue the works his Father gave him to do until he faithfully completed his mission and was crucified in Jerusalem and resurrected on the third day (vv. 32-33).
Jesus lamented that he tried to place Jerusalem, the House of Israel, under his loving care and guidance like a hen gathering her chicks, but they had rejected the prophets and now they were rejecting him (Mt. 23:37-39). Jesus pronounced judgment on Jerusalem. The “house” that will be abandoned has been interpreted as a foretelling of the cessation of Mosaic worship in the Temple when it is destroyed (70 CE). Jesus ended his comments with a quote from the Psalms, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” (Ps. 118:26). The Jews will only recognize and welcome Jesus when they acknowledge him as the one sent by God at his second coming in His Glory (Mt. 24:30).
Almighty God, shelter us under your loving care and help us to hear your call and feel your presence. Grant us the fortitude to face the challenges of this world and the will to fulfill your plan for us. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
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