Matthew 11:16

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

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},

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

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

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

Commentary

In Matthew 11:16, Jesus employs a vivid parable to describe the unresponsiveness of "this generation"—the people of His time who largely rejected both the ministry of John the Baptist and His own. This verse serves as a crucial setup for the fuller explanation in the subsequent verse (Matthew 11:17).

Context

This statement by Jesus comes after a period of intense ministry, including the sending out of the twelve disciples and John the Baptist's inquiry from prison about whether Jesus was "he that should come" (Matthew 11:3). Jesus has just praised John and then lamented the spiritual indifference of the towns where He performed many miracles (Matthew 11:20-24). The analogy of children in the marketplace highlights a pervasive attitude of criticism and stubbornness, regardless of the divine messenger or the nature of the message.

Key Themes

  • Unresponsiveness to God's Call: The primary theme is the stubborn refusal of people to respond to God's overtures. Whether the message was one of repentance and austerity (like John's) or grace and joy (like Jesus'), "this generation" found fault and refused to participate.
  • Childish Fickleness: Jesus likens them to children playing a game who cannot be pleased. They want to set the terms but then refuse to engage. This points to a spiritual immaturity and an unwillingness to accept truth on its own terms.
  • Divine Frustration: The question "whereunto shall I liken this generation?" reflects Jesus' lament and frustration over the spiritual blindness and hardness of heart He encountered. It's a rhetorical question expressing exasperation with their contradictory and unreasonable behavior.

Linguistic Insights

The term "markets" (Greek: agora) refers to the public squares or gathering places in towns, which were hubs of social and commercial activity. It was a common place for children to play, making the analogy immediately relatable to His audience. The phrase "this generation" (Greek: genea) often carries a negative connotation in the Gospels when used by Jesus, referring to a people characterized by spiritual dullness and unbelief, as seen in Matthew 12:39.

Practical Application

This verse challenges us to examine our own hearts. Are we open and receptive to God's truth, or do we approach spiritual matters with a predetermined bias, finding fault regardless of the message or messenger? The analogy serves as a timeless warning against spiritual stubbornness and the danger of rejecting divine revelation simply because it doesn't fit our preconceived notions or desires. A receptive heart is crucial for hearing and responding to God's voice, whether it calls for repentance or rejoicing.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 7:31 (6 votes)

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

  • Luke 7:35 (6 votes)

    But wisdom is justified of all her children.

  • Lamentations 2:13 (4 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

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

  • Mark 4:30 (4 votes)

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

  • Matthew 23:36 (4 votes)

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

  • Matthew 12:34 (4 votes)

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