lectionary.com

Lenten Season · Second Sunday in Lent · Year C

Luke 13:31-35 or Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a)

That Fox Herod and the Hen Who Longs to Gather Jerusalem

March 12, 2028

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, James Tissot
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, James Tissot, 1886–1894Brooklyn Museum, New York
In a sunlit temple court Jesus, in white, raises his arms and cries out over the city to a crowd sitting and standing around him.Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings.James TissotA French society painter who turned to religion and travelled to Palestine to paint the life of Christ where it happened.Brooklyn Museum, New YorkNew York’s second largest museum, holding a celebrated Egyptian collection and Tissot’s entire Bible series.Brooklyn Museum, New York
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelLuke 13:31-35Lk 13:31-35 orLuke 9:28-36, (37-43a)Lk 9:28-36, (37-43a)
EpistlePhil. 3:17-4:1Phil 3:17-4:1
Old TestamentGen. 15:1-12, 17-18Gn 15:1-12, 17-18
PsalterPs. 27Ps 27

Overview & Insights

"Jerusalem, Jerusalem... how often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!" (Luke 13:34)

Warned that Herod wants him dead, Jesus refuses to be deterred and presses on toward Jerusalem, the city where prophets are killed. He closes with a lament over the city's resistance to God's persistent, maternal love, a note of grief that colors the whole season of Lent.

From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.

Take it further: Luke 13:31-35 or Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a)

Commentary

Commentary on Luke 13:31-35Commentary on Lk 13:31-35 Working Preacher

Working Preacher's reading of Jesus' resolve toward Jerusalem and his lament over the city.

Luke 13:31-35Lk 13:31-35 Center for Excellence in Preaching

A Reformed preaching-focused commentary on the fox and hen sayings.

Luke 13 Commentary: Repentance, False Religion and the TrueLk 13 Commentary: Repentance, False Religion and the True Enduring Word · David Guzik

Verse by verse commentary on Herod the fox and Jesus' lament over Jerusalem.

Luke 13 CommentaryLk 13 Commentary Precept Austin

Word-study heavy commentary on Jesus' irony toward Herod and grief for the city.

Luke 13:31 CommentariesLk 13:31 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregated classic commentaries verse by verse on the fox and hen sayings.

Luke 13:31 InterlinearLk 13:31 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek text and parsing for the fox and hen images Jesus uses.

Enemies, Lent 2 (C) Sermons That Work · Episcopal Church

A ready-to-preach Anglican sermon on Jesus' response to Herod as a proclamation of his true mission.

Background & Word Study

Luke 13:31-35 - Jesus Laments about JerusalemLk 13:31-35 - Jesus Laments about Jerusalem Enter the Bible

Luther Seminary's passage-specific background on the lament's place in Luke's travel narrative.

The Church Fathers

Luke 13 - Catena AureaLk 13 - Catena Aurea Catena

Patristic comments verse by verse on Herod, the day's-journey saying, and the lament.

Sermons & Reflections

That Fox Herod Journey with Jesus

An essay unpacking Jesus' dismissive insult of Herod as a display of fearless resolve.

Worship & Prayers

Second Sunday in Lent: Collect and Propers The Lectionary Page

The full set of collects and readings appointed for Lent 2, Year C.

Podcast

Sermon Brainwave 1012: Second Sunday in Lent (Year C) - March 16, 2025 Working Preacher

A lectionary discussion of Jerusalem, prophetic rejection, and God's covenant faithfulness across all four Lent 2 readings.

Art & Music

Revised Common Lectionary Art Index Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt's Art in the Christian Tradition database keyed to the day's readings.

Study Hub

Lenten Links and Resources Textweek

A hub page linking commentary, worship, and preaching resources across the Lenten season.

Prep at sermons.com

Ready to write?

  • Full sermons on Luke 13:31-35 or Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a)
  • Illustrations cleared for use in worship
  • Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Open it at sermons.com →

Trusted by pastors since 1995.

Free every Tuesday

Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox

The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.