Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 23:38

"Behold, your house is left unto you desolate." — Matthew 23:38 (ASV)

This verse may allude to both Jer 12:7 and 22:5. “Your house” (GK 3875) in this context could refer to Jerusalem, to Israel, or to the temple in whose precincts Jesus was preaching (21:23; 24:1) and whose destruction was about to be predicted (24:2). Actually, all three are closely allied and rise and fall together. The “house” is left desolate either by God or by Jesus, who is “Immanuel,” “God with us” (1:23).