The painting depicts Christ seated on a hillside looking down upon the city of Jerusalem. The title of the painting is a citation from the New Testament, Luke, chapter 19, verse 42. This chapter tells how Christ descended from the Mount of Olives and entered Jerusalem with his disciples in triumph but 'when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou at least in thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side…'