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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Luke 7:31 "To what, then, can I compare the men of this generation? What are they like?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/luke/7-31.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/42_Luk_07_31.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Luke 7:31 - Jesus Testifies about John" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="To what, then, can I compare the men of this generation? 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What are they like?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/luke/7.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“To what can I compare the people of this generation?” Jesus asked. “How can I describe them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/luke/7.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/luke/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“To what, then, can I compare the men of this generation? What are they like?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/luke/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />"To what therefore will I liken the men of this generation? And to what are they like?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/luke/7.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/luke/7.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And the Lord said, “To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/luke/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/luke/7.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220To what then shall I compare the men of this generation, and what are they like?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/luke/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“To what then shall I compare the men of this generation, and what are they like?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/luke/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“To what then shall I compare the men of this generation, and what are they like?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/luke/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“To what then shall I compare the people of this generation [who set aside God’s plan], and what are they like?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/luke/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“To what then should I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/luke/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />&#8220To what then should I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/luke/7.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation, and to what are they like?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/luke/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Jesus went on to say: What are you people like? What kind of people are you? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/luke/7.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation, and to what are they like?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/luke/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"How can I describe the people who are living now? What are they like?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/luke/7.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Jesus continued, "Now to what can I compare the people of this day? What are they like? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/luke/7.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Jesus continued, "To what may I compare the people living today?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/luke/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?To what, then, can I compare the men of this generation? What are they like?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/luke/7.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"To what then should I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/luke/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"To what then will I liken the people of this generation? What are they like?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/luke/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the Lord said, To what then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/luke/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"To what then shall I compare the men of the present generation, and what do they resemble?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/luke/7.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“To what then should I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/luke/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the LORD said, “To what, then, will I liken the men of this generation? And to what are they like?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/luke/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />"To what therefore will I liken the men of this generation? And to what are they like?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/luke/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the Lord said, 'To what, then, shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/luke/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the Lord said, To whom shall I liken the men of this generation? and to whom are they like?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/luke/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And the Lord said: Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/luke/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Then the Lord said: “Therefore, to what shall I compare the men of this generation? And to what are they similar?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/luke/7.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />“Then to what shall I compare the people of this generation? What are they like?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/luke/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />“To what then will I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/luke/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />To whom, therefore, shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/luke/7.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />“To what therefore shall I compare the men of this generation, and what does it resemble?”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/luke/7.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />To what, then, shall I compare the men of this generation? and to what are they like?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/luke/7.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>Then to whom shall I liken the men of this generation, and to whom are they like?<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/luke/7.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />And the Lord said, To what then shall I compare the men of this generation? and to what are they like?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/luke/7.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />To what therefore shall I compare the men of this generation? who are they like?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/luke/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"To what then shall I compare the men of the present generation, and what do they resemble?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/luke/7.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>"To what, then, shall I liken the men of this generation? And to what are they like?<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/luke/7.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>Whereunto therefore shall I compare the men of this generation?<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/luke/7-31.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3-5_0Jtd9Lc?start=2794" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/luke/7.htm">Jesus Testifies about John</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">30</span>But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John. <span class="reftext">31</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: Tini (IPro-DNS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">“To what,</a> <a href="/greek/3767.htm" title="3767: oun (Conj) -- Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.">then,</a> <a href="/greek/3666.htm" title="3666: homoiōsō (V-FIA-1S) -- To make like, liken; I compare. From homoios; to assimilate, i.e. Compare; passively, to become similar.">can I compare</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tous (Art-AMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/444.htm" title="444: anthrōpous (N-AMP) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.">men</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: tautēs (DPro-GFS) -- This; he, she, it. ">of this</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1074.htm" title="1074: geneas (N-GFS) -- From genos; a generation; by implication, an age.">generation?</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: tini (IPro-DNS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">What</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: eisin (V-PIA-3P) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">are they</a> <a href="/greek/3664.htm" title="3664: homoioi (Adj-NMP) -- Like, similar to, resembling, of equal rank. From the base of homou; similar.">like?</a> </span> <span class="reftext">32</span>They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to one another: ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-16.htm">Matthew 11:16-19</a></span><br />To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: / ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ / For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-37.htm">Matthew 23:37</a></span><br />O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-2.htm">Isaiah 1:2-4</a></span><br />Listen, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, for the LORD has spoken: “I have raised children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against Me. / The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s manger, but Israel does not know; My people do not understand.” / Alas, O sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children who act corruptly! They have forsaken the LORD; they have despised the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/7-25.htm">Jeremiah 7:25-28</a></span><br />From the day your fathers came out of the land of Egypt until this day, I have sent you all My servants the prophets again and again. / Yet they would not listen to Me or incline their ear, but they stiffened their necks and did more evil than their fathers. / When you tell them all these things, they will not listen to you. When you call to them, they will not answer. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/18-30.htm">Ezekiel 18:30-32</a></span><br />Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall. / Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel? / For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/11-1.htm">Hosea 11:1-4</a></span><br />When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son. / But the more I called Israel, the farther they departed from Me. They sacrificed to the Baals and burned incense to carved images. / It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms, but they never realized that it was I who healed them. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/7-11.htm">Zechariah 7:11-12</a></span><br />But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they stopped up their ears from hearing. / They made their hearts like flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the LORD of Hosts had sent by His Spirit through the earlier prophets. Therefore great anger came from the LORD of Hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-10.htm">John 1:10-11</a></span><br />He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. / He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/5-39.htm">John 5:39-40</a></span><br />You pore over the Scriptures because you presume that by them you possess eternal life. These are the very words that testify about Me, / yet you refuse to come to Me to have life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/12-37.htm">John 12:37-40</a></span><br />Although Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still did not believe in Him. / This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: “Lord, who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” / For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says: ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/10-21.htm">Romans 10:21</a></span><br />But as for Israel he says: “All day long I have held out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-20.htm">1 Corinthians 1:20-25</a></span><br />Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? / For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. / Jews demand signs and Greeks search for wisdom, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/3-7.htm">2 Timothy 3:7</a></span><br />who are always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/3-7.htm">Hebrews 3:7-11</a></span><br />Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear His voice, / do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness, / where your fathers tested and tried Me, and for forty years saw My works. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/3-15.htm">Hebrews 3:15-19</a></span><br />As it has been said: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion.” / For who were the ones who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? / And with whom was God angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?</p><p class="hdg">Whereunto.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/lamentations/2-13.htm">Lamentations 2:13</a></b></br> 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 <i>is</i> great like the sea: who can heal thee?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/11-16.htm">Matthew 11:16</a></b></br> But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/4-30.htm">Mark 4:30</a></b></br> And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/7-30.htm">Baptized</a> <a href="/mark/4-30.htm">Compare</a> <a href="/mark/4-30.htm">Comparison</a> <a href="/luke/11-52.htm">Expounders</a> <a href="/ezekiel/24-12.htm">Frustrated</a> <a href="/luke/3-7.htm">Generation</a> <a href="/luke/7-30.htm">God's</a> <a href="/mark/4-30.htm">Liken</a> <a href="/luke/7-30.htm">Pharisees</a> <a href="/luke/7-30.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/matthew/2-18.htm">Refusing</a> <a href="/mark/4-30.htm">Whereunto</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/luke/12-50.htm">Baptized</a> <a href="/luke/7-32.htm">Compare</a> <a href="/luke/13-18.htm">Comparison</a> <a href="/luke/11-45.htm">Expounders</a> <a href="/romans/9-11.htm">Frustrated</a> <a href="/luke/7-32.htm">Generation</a> <a href="/luke/8-12.htm">God's</a> <a href="/luke/13-18.htm">Liken</a> <a href="/luke/7-36.htm">Pharisees</a> <a href="/luke/9-51.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/1_timothy/5-11.htm">Refusing</a> <a href="/luke/13-18.htm">Whereunto</a><div class="vheading2">Luke 7</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/7-1.htm">Jesus finds a greater faith in the centurion;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/7-10.htm">heals his servant, being absent;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/7-11.htm">raises from death the widow's son at Nain;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/7-18.htm">answers John's messengers with the declaration of his miracles;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/7-24.htm">testifies to the people what opinion he held of John;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">31. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/7-31.htm">compares this generation to the children in the marketplaces,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">36. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/7-36.htm">and allowing his feet to be washed and anointed by a woman who was a sinner, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">44. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/7-44.htm">he shows how he is a friend to sinners, to forgive them their sins, upon their repentance.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/7.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/luke/7.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>To what, then, can I compare the men of this generation?</b><br>In this phrase, Jesus is addressing the people of His time, particularly the religious leaders and those who were skeptical of His ministry. The use of rhetorical questions is a common teaching method in Jewish tradition, prompting listeners to reflect deeply. The term "generation" often refers to a group of people living at the same time, but in biblical context, it can also imply a moral or spiritual condition. Jesus frequently criticized the spiritual blindness and hypocrisy of the Pharisees and scribes, as seen in <a href="/matthew/23.htm">Matthew 23</a>. This comparison sets the stage for a parable or analogy, a method Jesus often used to convey deeper truths (<a href="/matthew/13-34.htm">Matthew 13:34-35</a>).<p><b>What are they like?</b><br>This question introduces a simile or metaphor, a common teaching tool in the Bible, to illustrate a spiritual truth. Jesus often used everyday experiences and cultural references familiar to His audience to make His teachings relatable and understandable. The question invites the audience to self-reflect and consider their own spiritual state. In the broader context of <a href="/luke/7.htm">Luke 7</a>, Jesus had just spoken about John the Baptist, highlighting the people's varied responses to God's messengers. This reflects a theme throughout the Gospels where Jesus contrasts the faith of the humble and repentant with the skepticism of the self-righteous (<a href="/luke/18-9.htm">Luke 18:9-14</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>The speaker of this verse, Jesus is addressing the crowd, offering a critique of the current generation's spiritual state.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_men_of_this_generation.htm">The Men of This Generation</a></b><br>Refers to the people living during Jesus' time, particularly those who were skeptical or dismissive of His and John the Baptist's ministries.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_crowd.htm">The Crowd</a></b><br>The audience to whom Jesus is speaking, which includes His disciples, followers, and possibly some Pharisees and teachers of the law.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/john_the_baptist.htm">John the Baptist</a></b><br>Though not directly mentioned in this verse, he is a key figure in the surrounding context, as Jesus contrasts His ministry with John's.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/p/pharisees_and_experts_in_the_law.htm">Pharisees and Experts in the Law</a></b><br>Religious leaders who often opposed Jesus and John, representing the skeptical and unresponsive attitudes Jesus critiques.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_discernment.htm">Spiritual Discernment</a></b><br>Evaluate how we respond to God's message today. Are we open and receptive, or skeptical and dismissive like the generation Jesus addressed?<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consistency_in_faith.htm">Consistency in Faith</a></b><br>Avoid the inconsistency of the generation that criticized both John and Jesus for different reasons. Seek a balanced and faithful approach to spiritual teachings.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/recognizing_god's_messengers.htm">Recognizing God's Messengers</a></b><br>Be aware of how God might be speaking through different people and circumstances. Do not let preconceived notions prevent you from hearing His voice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_acceptance.htm">Repentance and Acceptance</a></b><br>Reflect on areas in your life where you might be resisting God's call. Embrace repentance and the transformative power of the Gospel.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/cultural_critique.htm">Cultural Critique</a></b><br>Consider how cultural attitudes today might mirror those of Jesus' time. How can we stand firm in our faith amidst a skeptical society?<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_luke_7.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Luke 7</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/j._i._packer's_bio_and_books.htm">What are the core beliefs of Bogomilism?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/should_one_choose_burial_or_cremation.htm">Should one choose burial or cremation?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/which_parables_did_jesus_teach.htm">What parables did Jesus teach in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_eliphaz_cite_elders'_wisdom.htm">In Job 15:10, why does Eliphaz appeal to the wisdom of elders without any clear historical or archaeological evidence supporting such a preserved tradition?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/luke/7.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(31-35) <span class= "bld">Whereunto then shall I liken . . .</span>--See Notes on <a href="/context/matthew/11-16.htm" title="But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like to children sitting in the markets, and calling to their fellows,">Matthew 11:16-19</a>. Some of the better MSS. omit the introductory words, "and the Lord said."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/luke/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 31.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?</span> The Master evidently paused a moment here. He sought for some homely, popular simile which would drive home to the listeners' hearts his sad and solemn judgment of the conduct of the ruling Jews of this time. The generation he was then addressing had been singularly blessed with two great Divine messages - the one delivered by that eminent servant of God, John, about whom he had been speaking in such glowing, earnest terms; the other message was his own. He chose for his purpose one of those everyday scenes from the people's life, a scene which they had witnessed often, and in which, no doubt, in past days many of the by-standers themselves had taken a part - one of those child-games which the little ones in his day were wont to play in the summer evenings, and in which, likely enough, <span class="accented">he</span> in his boyish years had often shared in, as he played in the little market-place of Nazareth. He likened the wayward men of that generation to a group of children of the people in some open space of the city, now <span class="accented">playing at rejoicings</span>, such as take place at wedding festivities, now <span class="accented">at wailings</span>, which in Eastern countries accompany funerals; that is to say, the little group would divide itself into two companies, and one would say to the other, "Come, now we will play at a wedding; here are the pipers and the singers, do you come and dance and make merry;" but the others would not. Then the little company of would-be merrymakers would beat their breasts and cry with pretended sorrow; but the others still declined to join in the game of mourning - would not play "at a funeral," just as they refused to join in the game of "rejoicing at a wedding." To such a band of imperious little ones, who were angry if the others did not at once comply with their demands, Jesus compared the wayward and evil generation in which he and John lived. Had they not found bitter fault with John because he had declined to have anything to do with their wicked self-indulgent feasting and luxury? How often had Pharisee and scribe railed with bitter railings against Jesus because he would have nothing to do with their false and hypocritical fastings, with their pretended shrinking from what they deemed unclean and unworthy of them! Dr. Morrison puts it rightly, and forcibly: "They were dissatisfied with John, and would have nothing to do with him." If we are to have reformers, commend us to such as come near us, and visit our houses, and sit at our tables, and are sociable like ourselves.' They pretended, on the other hand, to scorn Jesus, who, while making so lofty a profession, yet went about eating and drinking in people's houses, and even in the homes of publicans and sinners. 'He should have gone into the desert and lived an abstemious life .... Commend us to ascetic men for our reformers.'" The line of interpretation which seems to us simpler and fitted to the framework of the little parable is in the main thus adopted by Meyer, Dr. W. Bleek, Bishop Wordsworth, and Dean Plumptre. "You men of this generation," writes Bishop Wordsworth, "are like a troop of wayward children, who go on with their own game, at one time gay, at another grave, and give heed to no one else, and expect that every one should conform to them. You were angry with John because he would not dance to your piping, and with me because 1 will not weep to your dirge; John censured your licentiousness, I rebuke your hypocrisy; you vilify both, and reject the good counsel of God, who has devised a variety of means for your salvation." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/luke/7-31.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">“To what,</span><br /><span class="grk">Τίνι</span> <span class="translit">(Tini)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Dative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">then,</span><br /><span class="grk">οὖν</span> <span class="translit">(oun)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3767.htm">Strong's 3767: </a> </span><span class="str2">Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">can I compare</span><br /><span class="grk">ὁμοιώσω</span> <span class="translit">(homoiōsō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3666.htm">Strong's 3666: </a> </span><span class="str2">To make like, liken; I compare. From homoios; to assimilate, i.e. Compare; passively, to become similar.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">τοὺς</span> <span class="translit">(tous)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Accusative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">men</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀνθρώπους</span> <span class="translit">(anthrōpous)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_444.htm">Strong's 444: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of this</span><br /><span class="grk">ταύτης</span> <span class="translit">(tautēs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> </span><span class="str2">This; he, she, it. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">generation?</span><br /><span class="grk">γενεᾶς</span> <span class="translit">(geneas)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1074.htm">Strong's 1074: </a> </span><span class="str2">From genos; a generation; by implication, an age.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">What</span><br /><span class="grk">τίνι</span> <span class="translit">(tini)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Dative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are they</span><br /><span class="grk">εἰσὶν</span> <span class="translit">(eisin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like?</span><br /><span class="grk">ὅμοιοι</span> <span class="translit">(homoioi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3664.htm">Strong's 3664: </a> </span><span class="str2">Like, similar to, resembling, of equal rank. From the base of homou; similar.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/luke/7-31.htm">Luke 7:31 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/luke/7-31.htm">Luke 7:31 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/luke/7-31.htm">Luke 7:31 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/luke/7-31.htm">Luke 7:31 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/luke/7-31.htm">Luke 7:31 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/luke/7-31.htm">Luke 7:31 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/luke/7-31.htm">Luke 7:31 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/luke/7-31.htm">Luke 7:31 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/luke/7-31.htm">Luke 7:31 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/luke/7-31.htm">Luke 7:31 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/luke/7-31.htm">NT Gospels: Luke 7:31 To what then will I liken (Luke Lu Lk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/luke/7-30.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Luke 7:30"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Luke 7:30" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/luke/7-32.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Luke 7:32"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Luke 7:32" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>