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Translation
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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
For the twice repeated word betokens compassion or very great love. For the Lord speaks, if we may say it, as a lover would to his mistress who despised him, and was therefore about to be punished.
Basil of Caesarea
He compared also the sons of Jerusalem to birds in the net, as if He said, Birds who are used to fly in the air are caught by the treacherous devices of the catchers, but thou shalt be as a chicken in want of another's protection; when thy mother then has fled away, thou art taken from thy nest as too weak to defend thyself, too feeble to fly; as it follows, Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
Cyril of Alexandria
Now that they were unmindful of the Divine blessings He proves as follows, How often would I have gathered thy children together as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not. He led them by the hand of Moses full of all wisdom. He warns them by His prophets, He wished to have them under His wings, (i. e. under the shelter of His power,) but they deprived themselves of these choice blessings, through their ingratitude.
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
As many as I gathered together, it was done by my all prevailing will, yet thy unwillingness, for thou wert ever ungrateful.
Bede
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I wanted to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Jerusalem does not refer to the stones and buildings of the city, but to its inhabitants, whom he laments with a father's affection, as we also read in another place that upon seeing her, he wept. But in saying, "How often I wanted to gather your children," he testifies that all the prophets were sent by him. …
Bonaventure
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, etc. After he manifested the sublimity of the divine disposition in the redemption of the human race, here secondly he manifests it in the reprobation of the rebellious people. And first he indicates the rebellion, then the hardening, and thirdly the abandonment. First, therefore, with regard to the rebellion of that people, he says: Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the Prophets and stones those who are sent to you. …
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