“To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like?
Parallel translations
- WEB “To what then will I liken the people of this generation? What are they like?
- KJV And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?
- BSB “To what, then, can I compare the men of this generation? What are they like?
- NKJV And the Lord said, “To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like?
- NLT “To what can I compare the people of this generation?” Jesus asked. “How can I describe them?
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Jesus asks what the people of that generation are like. He introduces a parable exposing their perverse rejection of God's messengers.
Overview
This rhetorical question sets up a comparison that will indict the unbelieving generation. Despite witnessing John and Jesus, many remained hardened. The parable that follows reveals the irrational, peevish unbelief of those who refuse God's call no matter how it comes, a warning against resisting His gracious invitation.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 3
- Matt 11:16–19“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call to their companions
- Lam 2:13What shall I testify to you? what shall I liken to you, daughter of Jerusalem? What shall I compare to you, that I may comfort you, virgin daughter of Zion? For your breach is great like the sea: who can heal you?
- Mark 4:30He said, “How will we liken God’s Kingdom? Or with what parable will we illustrate it?
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
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Christ at the center
Luke shows Jesus the Savior for all — outsiders, the poor, the nations — the one who, on the Emmaus road, opened all the Scriptures to show they were about himself.
How Luke 7:31 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.