Do you notice that in the context of this verse Jesus exposes Himself as their God, wanting to gather them unto Himself.
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [thou] that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under [her] wings, and ye would not! (Mt 23:37 KJV)
From Creation to Eternity 