許多聖經註釋者以「七禍」為本章的標題，因為耶穌七次宣佈法利賽人之禍。我們不需詳述耶穌對法利賽人的許多批評，因為第三節就一語道盡了七禍的重點：「不要效法他們的行為，因為他們能說不能行」。耶穌批評表面工夫的義行，也指出稱法利賽人為「拉比」、「父」、或「夫子」是權柄的錯置。那麼，我們稱呼人「老師」、或「教授」、或「主人」、或「父親」也錯了嗎？不，在此段經文中，耶穌原是要打壓法利賽人屬靈的驕傲以及他們所僭用的頭銜。耶穌說他們熱心的領人入教，但卻是瞎眼領路的；他們能教導律法，但卻行不出來。耶穌還預言一件事，祂將派先知、智慧人和文士試著來導引法利賽人步上正途，但祂所派來的會像先前的人一樣被殺和被釘十架。

         耶穌因此為耶路撒冷哀哭。祂用母雞聚集受侵的小雞到牠翅膀底下接受庇護的有力意像形容祂的心境。這是一幅充滿慈愛、憐憫的圖畫。然而，當耶穌「聚集」祂的小雞時，小雞卻充耳不聞。由於他們不理會主的呼喚，他們的殿將成為一堆荒場。耶穌說：「我也要離你們而去。」這使他們的損失更大。

         以色列將不得再見耶穌，直等到他們說：「奉主名來的是應當稱頌的。」這裡所指的是末日，也讓我們看見新約裡有關耶穌第二次再來以及祂以彌賽亞身分君臨統治的漸進啟示。

         主耶穌，我們渴望的期待您快再來。但在您未來以前，願我們有像您為耶路撒冷哀哭那樣的憐憫心腸，為失喪的人哭求。奉主耶穌基督聖名，阿們！

English

         This chapter has been entitled “The Seven Woes” by many commentators, because seven times Jesus pronounces woe on the Pharisees. There’s no need to expand on the various criticisms that He has of the Pharisees, because the main point of the seven woes is in verse 3, “do not do what they do for they do not practice what they preach:. Jesus’ criticisms are about doing righteous things to be seen by man. He also addresses the misplacement of authority in calling various Pharisees “Rabbi”, “Father”, or “Teacher”. Does this mean we’re wrong to be calling anybody “Teacher” or “Professor” pr “Master” or “Father”? No. In the context, Jesus is essentially flattening the spiritual pride He sees in the Pharisees and the titles they assume for themselves. He talks about their zeal to win converts and yet their blindness as guides. He talks about their ability to teach the Law and yet their inability to perform it. He also talks about the fact that He is going to send prophets, wise men, and teachers, to try and steer the Pharisees in the right direction, but predicts they will be killed and crucified just like others before them.

         It’s in this context that Jesus weeps over Jerusalem. He uses the powerful imagery of a barnyard hen clucking a warning as her little chicks rush to nestle under her wings for protection from some intruder. It’s a very pastoral, loving, and compassionate picture. When Jesus, however, was “clucking”, the chicks were not running. Because of their inattention, their temple was going to be left to them desolate. Then He says, “I am going to be gone too.” Which only adds to the desolation.

         Israel won’t see Jesus again until they say, “Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord”. Here we have a reference to the end of days and the developing doctrine in the New Testament of the second coming of Jesus Christ and His triumphant reign as Messiah.

         We long with anticipation for Your soon return, Lord Jesus, but until then, may we weep for the lost with the same compassion with which You wept over Jerusalem, wanting to gather them as chicks.