Matthew 11:16

King James Version

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

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
“To what should I compare this generation? It’s like children sitting in the marketplaces who call out to other children:

King James Version (1611)
But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like vnto children, sitting in the markets, and calling vnto their fellowes,

English Standard Version
"But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,

New American Standard Bible
"But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call out to the other children,

New Century Version
"What can I say about the people of this time? What are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace, who call out to each other,

Amplified Bible
"But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like little children sitting in the market places, who call to the others,

Geneva Bible (1587)
But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like vnto litle children which sit in the markets, and call vnto their fellowes,

New American Standard Bible (1995)
"But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market places, who call out to the other children,

Legacy Standard Bible
"But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call out to the other children,

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

Contemporary English Version
You people are like children sitting in the market and shouting to each other,

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

Darby Translation
But to whom shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the markets, which, calling to their companions,

Easy-to-Read Version
"What can I say about the people who live today? What are they like? The people today are like children sitting in the marketplace. One group of children calls to the other group,

George Lamsa Translation
But to whom shall I liken this generation? It is like boys who sit in the street and call to their friends.

Good News Translation
"Now, to what can I compare the people of this day? They are like children sitting in the marketplace. One group shouts to the other,

Lexham English Bible
"But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces who call out to one another,

Literal Translation
But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like little children sitting in the markets, and calling to their mates,

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

Bible in Basic English
But what comparison may I make of this generation? It is like children seated in the market-places, crying out to one another,

Hebrew Names Version
"But what will I compare this generation to? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call to their companions

International Standard Version
"To what can I compare this generation? It's like little children who sit in the marketplaces and shout to each other,Luke 7:31;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
BUT to what shall I compare this generation ? It is like children who sit in the public place, and cry to their companions,

Murdock Translation
But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like to children, that sit in the marketplace and call to their associates,

Bishop's Bible (1568)
But whervnto shall I liken this generation? It is like vnto litle children, which sit in the markettes, and call vnto their felowes,

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

World English Bible
"But what will I compare this generation to? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call to their companions

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
But whereto shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the markets,

Weymouth's New Testament
"But to what shall I compare the present generation? It is like children sitting in the open places, who call to their playmates.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
But to whom schal Y gesse this generacioun lijk? It is lijk to children sittynge in chepyng, that crien to her peeris,

Update Bible Version
But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call to their fellows

Webster's Bible Translation
But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like to children sitting in the markets, and calling to their fellows,

New English Translation
"To what should I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces who call out to one another,

New King James Version
"But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions,

New Living Translation
"To what can I compare this generation? It is like children playing a game in the public square. They complain to their friends,

New Life Bible
"What are the people of this day like? They are like children playing in the center of town where people gather. They call to their friends.

New Revised Standard
"But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another,

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
But, unto what, shall I liken this generation? It is, like, unto children, sitting the market-places, who, calling unto the others,

Douay-Rheims Bible
But whereunto shall I esteem this generation to be like? It is like to children sitting in the market place.

Revised Standard Version
"But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market places and calling to their playmates,

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
But wher vnto shall I lyken this generacion? It ys lyke vnto chyldre which syt in the market and call vnto their felowes

Young's Literal Translation
`And to what shall I liken this generation? it is like little children in market-places, sitting and calling to their comrades,

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
But where vnto shal I licke this generacion? It is like vnto childre which syt in the market, and call vnto their felowes,

Mace New Testament (1729)
but to what shall I compare this generation? they are like children sitting in the markets, and calling out to their fellows,

THE MESSAGE
"How can I account for this generation? The people have been like spoiled children whining to their parents, ‘We wanted to skip rope, and you were always too tired; we wanted to talk, but you were always too busy.' John came fasting and they called him crazy. I came feasting and they called me a lush, a friend of the riffraff. Opinion polls don't count for much, do they? The proof of the pudding is in the eating."

Simplified Cowboy Version
"Let me see if I can explain the folks of this generation. They are like the fans in the stands while the cowboys stand in the arena and talk to them. The cowboys say to them,

Contextual Overview

¹⁶ But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, ¹⁷ And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. ¹⁸ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. ¹⁹ The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children. ²⁰ Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: ²¹ Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. ²² But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. ²³ And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. ²⁴ But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

whereunto: Lamentations 2:13, Mark 4:30, Luke 13:18

this: Matthew 12:34, Matthew 23:36, Matthew 24:34

It is: Luke 7:31-35

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 32:20 - a very Zechariah 8:5 - playing Matthew 20:3 - standing Luke 7:32 - General

Cross-References

Genesis 10:21
Unto Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber, the brother of Japheth the elder, even to him were children born.

Genesis 10:25
And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg; for in his days was the earth divided; and his brother's name was Joktan.

Numbers 24:24
And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever.

1 Chronicles 1:19
And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg; because in his days the earth was divided: and his brother's name was Joktan.

Luke 3:35
Which was the son of Saruch, which was the son of Ragau, which was the son of Phalec, which was the son of Heber, which was the son of Sala,

Gill's Notes on the Bible

But whereunto shall I liken this generation? The men of that age, the stubborn and perverse Jews; who were pleased with nothing, with no man's ministry, neither with John's, nor with Christ's, but found fault with whatever they heard, or saw done:

it is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling to their fellows: that is, the case of such persons may be fitly represented by children in a public market, calling to their companions, to pipe or mourn with them, and who are so morose and sullen as to do neither: for the men of that generation, are not the good natured children, that called to their fellows, and were willing to join in innocent diversions and exercises; but rather John the Baptist, Christ and his disciples, who may be compared to "children", for their harmlessness and simplicity; and are represented as "sitting in markets", places of concourse, where much people met together; which may intend the synagogues and temple, and other public places, which they made use of to publish their doctrines in, to preach to, and exhort the people; and as "calling to their fellows", to their contemporaries, to those of their own nation, by the external ministry of the word.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

But whereunto shall I liken ... - Christ proceeds to reprove the inconsistency and fickleness of that age of people. He says they were like children - nothing pleased them. He refers here to the “plays” or “sports” of children. Instrumental music, or piping and dancing, were used in marriages and festivals as a sign of joy. See the notes at Isaiah 5:11-12. Compare Job 21:11; 2 Samuel 6:14; Judges 11:34; Luke 15:25. Children imitate their parents and others, and act over in play what they see done by others. Among their childish sports, therefore, was probably an imitation of a wedding or festal occasion. We have seen also (the notes at Matthew 9:23) that funerals were attended with mournful music, and lamentation, and howling. It is not improbable that children also, in play: imitated a mournful funeral procession. One part are represented as sullen and dissatisfied. They would not enter into the play: nothing pleased them. The others complained of it. We have, said they, taken all pains to please you. We have piped to you, have played lively tunes, and have engaged in cheerful sports, but you would not join with us; and then we have played different games, and imitated the mourning at funerals, and you are equally sullen; “you have not lamented;” you have not joked with us. Nothing pleases you. So, said Christ, is this generation of people. “John” came one way, “neither eating nor drinking,” abstaining as a Nazarite, and you were not pleased with him. I, the Son of man, have come in a different manner, “eating and drinking;” not practicing any austerity, but living like other people, and you are equally dissatisfied - nay, you are less pleased. You calumniate him, and abuse me for not doing the very thing which displeased you in John. Nothing pleases you. You are fickle, changeable, inconstant, and abusive.

Markets - Places to sell provisions; places of concourse, where also children flocked together for play.

We have piped - We have played on musical instruments. A “pipe” was a wind instrument of music often used by shepherds.

Neither eating nor drinking - That is, abstaining from some kinds of food and wine, as a Nazarite. It does not mean that he did not eat at all, but that he was remarkable for abstinence.

He hath a devil - He is actuated by a bad spirit. He is irregular, strange, and cannot be a good man.

The Son of man came eating and drinking - That is, living as others do; not practicing austerity; and they accuse him of being fond of excess, and seeking the society of the wicked.

Gluttonous - One given to excessive eating.

Wine-bibber - One who drinks much wine. Jesus undoubtedly lived according to the general customs of the people of his time. He did not affect singularity; he did not separate himself as a Nazarite; he did not practice severe austerities. He ate that which was common and drank that which was common. As wine was a common article of beverage among the people, he drank it. It was the pure juice of the grape, and for anything that can be proved, it was without fermentation. In regard to the kind of wine which was used, see the notes at John 2:10. No one should plead the example, at any rate, in favor of making use of the wines that are commonly used in this country - wines, many of which are manufactured here, and without a particle of the pure juice of the grape, and most of which are mixed with noxious drugs to give them color and flavor.

Wisdom is justified of her children - The children of wisdom are the wise - those who understand. The Saviour means that though that generation of Pharisees and fault-finders did not appreciate the conduct of John and himself, yet the “wise,” the candid - those who understood the reasons of their conduct - would approve of and do justice to it.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Matthew 11:16. But whereunto shall I liken this generation? — That is, the Jewish people - την γενεαν ταυτην, this race: and so the word γενεα is often to be understood in the evangelists.

In the markets — Or, places of concourse, αγοραις, from αγειρω, I gather together; not a market-place only, but any place of public resort: probably meaning here, places of public amusement.

Calling unto their fellows — Or, companions. Instead of εταιροις, companions, many of the best MSS. have ετεροις, others. The great similarity of the words might have easily produced this difference.

There are some to whom every thing is useful in leading them to God; others, to whom nothing is sufficient. Every thing is good to an upright mind, every thing bad to a vicious heart.