Luke 13:31-35
Jesus' Sorrow for Jerusalem
31At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, "Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you."
32He replied, "Go tell that fox, 'I will drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.' 33In any case, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!
34"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! 35Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'"
Jesus is given a warning from the Pharisees that He should leave this place...Herod wants to kill Him...Some believe that the Pharisees just wanted Jesus to leave the area...Others believe that, yes, in fact, Herod was wanting Him killed or at least to leave his region of jurisdiction...
Jesus knew His fate...Jesus was probably not afraid of Herod, (examine the answer, He gives the Pharisees)...He tells the Pharisees to go and tell that fox, I will drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal...In any case, (Jesus continues), I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day-for surely no prophet can die outside of Jerusalem... Jesus twice here is referring to three days and on the third day He will be crucified...He has no reason to run or leave, in the sense that He knows what is going to be...
Even though that He is on His way to be crucified, He feels sorrow for Jerusalem...A group of people in Jerusalem will soon be taking His life...Herod was not His real opposition, His opposition is those who merely pretend to serve God...This may be the Pharisees, whom He is talking to...This was how Jesus sees this situation...Because of this (the people only pretending to serve God), He feels sorrow for the city, and tells us He would like to gather the children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings and protects them, but the people of Jerusalem are not willing...
Jesus tells us that there will be a period when the people's house (this may be the Temple) will be desolate...Judgment day will come and convince many unbelievers...Then they will say, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD"...This is His second coming...Jesus' words hold hope to those who believe...