Luke 7:31

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?

Complete Jewish Bible:

"Therefore," said the Lord, "how can I describe the people of this generation? What are they like?

Berean Standard Bible:

“To what, then, can I compare the men of this generation? What are they like?

American Standard Version:

Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation, and to what are they like?

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G1161} the Lord^{G2962} said^{G2036}, Whereunto^{G5101} then^{G3767} shall I liken^{G3666} the men^{G444} of this^{G5026} generation^{G1074}? and^{G2532} to what^{G5101} are they^{G1526} like^{G3664}?

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Commentary for Luke 7:31

Luke 7:31 is a verse where Jesus reflects on the nature of the people He is addressing, often interpreted as those living in His time. The verse serves as an introduction to a parable that follows, where Jesus compares the contemporary generation to children in the marketplace who complain no matter what kind of music is played—they are not satisfied with either mournful tunes or festive ones.

The historical context of this verse is rooted in the diverse reactions Jesus received from the people of His day. Some criticized Him for being too ascetic, associating with tax collectors and sinners, while others criticized Him for not being ascetic enough, eating and drinking with the same people. Jesus' question in this verse highlights the dissatisfaction and fickleness of the people, who were quick to find fault with both John the Baptist and Himself, despite their contrasting lifestyles and messages.

The themes presented in this verse include the idea of spiritual discernment, the difficulty of pleasing people, and the challenge of recognizing and accepting the divine message when it does not conform to personal expectations or desires. Jesus is essentially asking how He can make the people of that generation understand the significance of the moment they are living in and the importance of His and John's ministries. It's a critique of their inability to appreciate the spiritual significance of what is happening around them and a call to self-reflection and repentance.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1161
   There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δέ
   Transliteration: dé
   Pronunciation: deh
   Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
   
2. Strong's Number: G2962
   There are 687 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: κύριος
   Transliteration: kýrios
   Pronunciation: koo'-ree-os
   Description: from (supremacy); supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title):-- God, Lord, master, Sir.
   
3. Strong's Number: G2036
   There are 901 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἔπω
   Transliteration: épō
   Pronunciation: ep'-o
   Description: a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from ἐρέω, ῥέω, and φημί); to speak or say (by word or writing):--answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell. Compare λέγω.
   
4. Strong's Number: G5101
   There are 483 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τίς
   Transliteration: tís
   Pronunciation: tis
   Description: probably emphatic of τὶς; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions):--every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why.
   
5. Strong's Number: G3767
   There are 519 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οὖν
   Transliteration: oûn
   Pronunciation: oon
   Description: apparently a primary word; (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly:--and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore.
   
6. Strong's Number: G3666
   There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὁμοιόω
   Transliteration: homoióō
   Pronunciation: hom-oy-o'-o
   Description: from ὅμοιος; to assimilate, i.e. compare; passively, to become similar:--be (make) like, (in the) liken(-ess), resemble.
   
7. Strong's Number: G444
   There are 614 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἄνθρωπος
   Transliteration: ánthrōpos
   Pronunciation: anth'-ro-pos
   Description: from ἀνήρ and (the countenance; from ὀπτάνομαι); man-faced, i.e. a human being:--certain, man.
   
8. Strong's Number: G5026
   There are 119 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ταύτῃ
   Transliteration: taútēi
   Pronunciation: tow'-tace
   Description: dative case, accusative case and genitive case respectively of the feminine singular of οὗτος; (towards or of) this:--her, + hereof, it, that, + thereby, the (same), this (same).
   
9. Strong's Number: G1074
   There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: γενεά
   Transliteration: geneá
   Pronunciation: ghen-eh-ah'
   Description: from (a presumed derivative of) γένος; a generation; by implication, an age (the period or the persons):--age, generation, nation, time.
   
10. Strong's Number: G2532
    There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: καί
    Transliteration: kaí
    Pronunciation: kahee
    Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
    
11. Strong's Number: G1526
    There are 146 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: εἰσί
    Transliteration: eisí
    Pronunciation: i-see'
    Description: 3rd person plural present indicative of εἰμί; they are:--agree, are, be, dure, X is, were.
    
12. Strong's Number: G3664
    There are 43 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὅμοιος
    Transliteration: hómoios
    Pronunciation: hom'-oy-os
    Description: from the base of ὁμοῦ; similar (in appearance or character):--like, + manner.