Matthew 11:16

KJV

¶ But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} whereunto {G5101} shall I liken {G3666} this {G5026} generation {G1074}? It is {G2076} like {G3664} unto children {G3808} sitting {G2521} in {G1722} the markets {G58}, and {G2532} calling {G4377} unto their {G846} fellows {G2083},

Complete Jewish Bible

"Oh, what can I compare this generation with? They're like children sitting in the marketplaces, calling out to each other,

Berean Standard Bible

To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:

American Standard Version

But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the marketplaces, who call unto their fellows

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Matthew 11:16, Jesus employs a poignant rhetorical question and a vivid parable to lament the spiritual recalcitrance and unresponsiveness of "this generation"—the people of His time—who consistently rejected both the austere call to repentance from John the Baptist and His own message of grace and the kingdom. He likens them to petulant children in the marketplace who refuse to engage in any game, whether it be a mournful dirge or a joyful celebration, thereby illustrating their deep-seated spiritual indifference and critical posture toward divine revelation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within a pivotal section of Matthew's Gospel that marks a turning point in Jesus' public ministry, specifically concerning the widespread rejection He and John the Baptist faced. It follows directly after Jesus' profound discourse concerning John the Baptist's identity and significance as the forerunner of the Messiah, culminating in the declaration that "from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force" ([Matthew 11:12](/matthew/11-12 "Matthew 11:12 - The Kingdom of Heaven Suffers Violence")). The parable of the children in the marketplace serves as a direct indictment of the generation's unbelief, immediately preceding Jesus' strong woes pronounced against the unrepentant cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, where He had performed many miracles ([Matthew 11:20-24](/matthew/11-20-24 "Matthew 11:20-24 - Woes to Unrepentant Cities")). This entire section underscores the tragic reality of human resistance to God's saving initiatives.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Jewish society, particularly in Galilee where much of Jesus' ministry took place, was characterized by a complex interplay of religious traditions, political tensions under Roman occupation, and diverse expectations regarding the Messiah. Public marketplaces (agora) were central hubs of community life, not merely for commerce but also for social interaction, news dissemination, and children's play. Children's games often mimicked adult activities, including weddings (celebrations with music and dancing) and funerals (mourning with wailing and lament). Jesus' audience would have immediately recognized the scenario of children attempting to play a game but being frustrated by their peers' refusal to participate, regardless of the game proposed. This cultural familiarity made the parable's critique of spiritual stubbornness deeply relatable and impactful.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 11:16 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the Gospel. The primary theme is **Unresponsiveness to God's Call**, highlighting the persistent human tendency to resist divine overtures, regardless of the form they take. This generation's rejection of both John's ascetic message of repentance and Jesus' joyous message of the Kingdom of God illustrates a profound spiritual blindness and hardness of heart, a theme echoed in Jesus' lament over Jerusalem in [Matthew 23:37](/matthew/23-37 "Matthew 23:37 - Jesus' Lament Over Jerusalem"). Another key theme is **Divine Frustration and Lament**, as Jesus' rhetorical question, "But whereunto shall I liken this generation?", conveys His deep sorrow and exasperation over their contradictory and unreasonable behavior. This frustration is further emphasized by the woes pronounced on the cities that witnessed His mighty works but remained impenitent, as seen in [Matthew 11:20-24](/matthew/11-20-24 "Matthew 11:20-24 - Woes to Unrepentant Cities"). Finally, the parable itself introduces the theme of **Spiritual Immaturity and Fickleness**, portraying the generation as childishly petulant, unwilling to accept truth on its own terms, and desiring to dictate the terms of engagement with God's messengers. This stubbornness is contrasted with the wisdom of God, which is "justified by her children" ([Matthew 11:19](/matthew/11-19 "Matthew 11:19 - Wisdom Justified by Her Deeds")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **generation (Greek, _geneá'_):** From G1074, this term refers to a specific period of time or the people living within that period. In the Gospels, particularly when used by Jesus, "this generation" often carries a negative connotation, denoting a people characterized by spiritual dullness, unbelief, and moral depravity, resistant to God's redemptive work. It points to a collective spiritual disposition rather than merely a chronological timeframe.
* **liken (Greek, _homoióō'_):** From G3666, this verb means "to assimilate" or "to compare." Jesus uses it here to draw a parallel, setting up a simile to illustrate the behavior of the people. It signifies His attempt to find an apt analogy to describe their perplexing and inconsistent spiritual posture.
* **markets (Greek, _agorá'_):** From G58, this term refers to the town square or public gathering place, which served as a hub for social, commercial, and recreational activities. Its inclusion grounds the parable in a familiar, everyday setting, making the children's game and their frustrating behavior immediately recognizable to Jesus' audience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But whereunto shall I liken this generation?"**: This opening rhetorical question immediately sets a tone of lament and exasperation. The conjunction "But" (G1161, _dé_) indicates a contrast with the preceding discussion about John the Baptist and Jesus' own ministry. Jesus is searching for an adequate comparison to describe the perplexing and contradictory spiritual state of the people of His time, highlighting their resistance to both John's ascetic call to repentance and His own message of joy and the Kingdom.
* **"It is like unto children sitting in the markets,"**: Jesus introduces the central image of the parable. The scene is of children playing in the public square, a common and relatable sight. This simile immediately casts "this generation" in a light of immaturity and capriciousness, as if they are engaged in a game rather than serious spiritual discernment.
* **"and calling unto their fellows,"**: This final clause describes the action of the children who are attempting to initiate a game. The word "fellows" (G2083, _hetaîros_) implies their playmates or companions. This sets up the expectation that the other children (representing the generation being addressed) should respond and participate, but the following verse (Matthew 11:17) reveals their frustrating refusal.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 11:16 is rich in literary devices that enhance its impact and meaning. The most prominent is **Simile**, as Jesus explicitly states, "It is like unto children." This comparison effectively equates the stubborn and unresponsive "generation" with petulant children who refuse to play along. The verse also employs **Rhetorical Question**, "But whereunto shall I liken this generation?", which serves not to elicit an answer but to express Jesus' profound frustration and lament over the spiritual blindness of the people. This rhetorical device underscores the difficulty of finding an adequate comparison for such inconsistent and unyielding behavior. Furthermore, the passage uses **Irony**, as the "children" in the parable, who are supposed to be innocent and open, represent the spiritually hardened adults who are unwilling to respond to divine truth, whether it comes in the form of John's somber call to repentance or Jesus' joyful proclamation of the Kingdom.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 11:16 powerfully illustrates the tragic reality of human resistance to divine truth, a theme that resonates throughout biblical history. The generation's refusal to respond to either John's ascetic message or Jesus' joyful proclamation reveals a deep-seated spiritual stubbornness and a desire to dictate the terms of their engagement with God. This passage underscores the principle that God's messengers and messages are often rejected not because of their inherent flaws, but because of the hardened hearts of the hearers. It serves as a sober reminder that spiritual receptivity is paramount for recognizing and embracing God's will.

* [Deuteronomy 32:5](/deuteronomy/32-5 "Deuteronomy 32:5 - A Corrupt and Perverse Generation")
* [Luke 7:31-35](/luke/7-31-35 "Luke 7:31-35 - Jesus' Parable of the Children in the Marketplace")
* [Hebrews 3:7-11](/hebrews/3-7-11 "Hebrews 3:7-11 - Do Not Harden Your Hearts")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 11:16 serves as a timeless mirror, inviting us to examine our own hearts and our posture toward God's ongoing revelation. Are we like the children in the marketplace, demanding that God's truth conform to our preferences, or are we truly open and responsive to His voice, regardless of how it comes to us? This verse challenges us to consider whether we approach spiritual matters with a predetermined bias, quick to find fault or excuse, rather than with humility and a desire to obey. It warns against the spiritual danger of a critical spirit that rejects divine messengers and messages simply because they do not align with our preconceived notions of what God "should" be like or how He "should" act. True wisdom, as Jesus implies, is demonstrated by a receptive heart that discerns and embraces God's truth, whether it calls for repentance, lament, or joyful celebration.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be like the "generation" Jesus describes, resistant to God's truth because it doesn't fit my expectations or desires?**
* **Am I more inclined to criticize God's messengers or messages than to genuinely seek to understand and apply them?**
* **How can I cultivate a more receptive and humble heart that is open to God's voice, even when it challenges my comfort or convictions?**
* **What specific areas of my life might reflect a spiritual immaturity or stubbornness that prevents me from fully engaging with God's will?**

### FAQ

**What is the main point of Jesus' parable in Matthew 11:16-17?**

Answer: The main point of Jesus' parable in [Matthew 11:16-17](/matthew/11-16-17 "Matthew 11:16-17 - The Parable of the Children in the Marketplace") is to illustrate the spiritual inconsistency and unresponsiveness of "this generation" (the people of His time). They were like petulant children who refused to participate in any game, whether a joyful wedding dance or a mournful funeral dirge. This signifies that no matter how John the Baptist or Jesus presented God's call—John with asceticism and a call to repentance, Jesus with feasting and a message of grace—the people found fault and refused to respond with genuine faith or obedience.

**Why does Jesus use the analogy of children in the marketplace?**

Answer: Jesus uses the analogy of children in the marketplace because it was a familiar and relatable scenario for His audience. Marketplaces were common public spaces where children played, often mimicking adult activities like weddings (celebrations) and funerals (mourning). By likening the generation to children who refuse to play, Jesus vividly portrays their spiritual immaturity, stubbornness, and contradictory nature. They were unwilling to accept God's message on its own terms, always finding an excuse to reject it, much like children who cannot be pleased by any game their peers propose.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Matthew 11:16 primarily serves as an indictment of a generation's unbelief, it profoundly points to Christ as the ultimate, rejected messenger and the embodiment of God's wisdom. The "wisdom of God" mentioned in [Matthew 11:19](/matthew/11-19 "Matthew 11:19 - Wisdom Justified by Her Deeds"), which is "justified by her children," is ultimately personified in Jesus Himself. He is the one who came "eating and drinking" ([Matthew 11:19](/matthew/11-19 "Matthew 11:19 - The Son of Man Came Eating and Drinking")), offering grace and the joyful news of the Kingdom, yet He was rejected as a "glutton and a drunkard." This foreshadows His ultimate rejection by His own people, leading to His crucifixion. However, in His rejection, Jesus perfectly fulfilled the Father's will, becoming the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). His suffering and death, though a result of human unresponsiveness, became the means of salvation for all who would believe. Thus, Matthew 11:16, in highlighting the obstinacy of humanity, implicitly magnifies Christ's unwavering faithfulness and His redemptive mission, even in the face of profound rejection, ultimately leading to the "wisdom of God" being vindicated through His resurrection and the establishment of His Church ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Power and Wisdom of God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 7:31

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

Luke 7:35

But wisdom is justified of all her children.

Lamentations 2:13

What 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?

Luke 13:18

¶ Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?

Mark 4:30

And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?

Matthew 23:36

Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.

Matthew 12:34

O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.