But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,
Parallel translations
- WEB “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call to their companions
- 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 7:31–35And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?
- Lam 2:13What thing shall I take to witness for thee? what thing shall I liken to thee, O daughter of Jerusalem? what shall I equal to thee, that I may comfort thee, O virgin daughter of Zion? for thy breach is great like the sea: who can heal thee?
- Matt 23:36Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.
- Matt 12:34O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
- Luke 13:18Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?
- Mark 4:30And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?
- Matt 24:34Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
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.