“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call to their companions
Parallel translations
- KJV But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,
- BSB To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:
- NKJV “But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions,
- NASB “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call out to the other children,
- NLT “To what can I compare this generation? It is like children playing a game in the public square. They complain to their friends,
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 compares His generation to petulant children who refuse to be pleased. Their hearts resist every appeal from God's messengers.
Overview
Jesus likens the unbelieving generation to children in the marketplace who reject whatever tune is played. The image exposes a heart bent on finding fault rather than responding to God. It introduces His indictment of those who dismissed both John and Himself on contradictory grounds.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- Luke 7:31–35“To what then will I liken the people of this generation? What are they like?
- 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?
- Matt 23:36Most certainly I tell you, all these things will come upon this generation.
- Matt 12:34You offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.
- Luke 13:18He said, “What is God’s Kingdom like? To what shall I compare it?
- Mark 4:30He said, “How will we liken God’s Kingdom? Or with what parable will we illustrate it?
- Matt 24:34Most certainly I tell you, this generation will not pass away, until all these things are accomplished.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 11:16 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.