Under His Wings (Luke 13:34)

Jesus offers to bring the children of Jerusalem under His “wings” (Luke 13:34). The “wing” image is used commonly in the Psalms with reference to Yahweh’s protective covering, and it is connected also to Yahweh’s role as husband of Israel, the one who has spread the “wing of His garment” over His bride. A variation of that picture seems to be in view in Luke: Jerusalem is pictured as a mother, who has scattered children, children that need to be gathered. Jesus is the replacement mother (a “hen”), the true Jerusalem as well as Yahweh in flesh, the protected dwelling place of His people.