The house in view is probably the temple (cf. 1 Kings 9:7-8). Other views are that it refers to the city, the Davidic dynasty, the nation, or all of the above. Jesus had formerly claimed the temple as His own house ( Matthew 5:35; Matthew 17:25-26; Matthew 21:12-16). Now He spoke of it as their house, the house of prayer that they had converted into a den of thieves ( Matthew 21:13). Jesus and God would leave the temple desolate by removing Jesus" presence from it. Instead of it becoming the focal point of worship during the messianic kingdom, it would be devoid of Immanuel, God with us, until He returns to it ( Matthew 1:23; cf. Jeremiah 12:7; Jeremiah 22:5; Ezekiel 43:1-5). Instead of bringing promised rest and blessing to Israel, Messiah would leave her desolate, uninhabited. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
Matthew 23:27-39 - Judgment And Lament
True goodness recognizes and rewards good in the living; while the evil-minded cannot, or will not, believe that the people whom they meet daily are purely and sincerely good. They pride themselves on what they would have done if they had lived in the great days of the past, but they miss the opportunities which are always ready to hand. In this they judge and condemn themselves.
How sad is this lament over Jerusalem! The yearning love which longed to intercept her descending judgment, as the hen the stroke of danger which menaces her brood, was about to be withdrawn. After striving His best to save them, the world's Redeemer was abandoning His people to the results of their sin, until the time spoken of in Zechariah 14:1-4. Oh my soul, see that thou art hidden under those wings, until all calamities are overpast and the day has broken! [source]
Chapter Summary: Matthew 23
1Jesus admonishes the people to follow good doctrine, not bad examples 5His disciples must beware of their ambition 13He denounces eight woes against their hypocrisy and blindness, 34and prophesies of the destruction of Jerusalem
What do the individual words in Matthew 23:38 mean?