Matthew 11:16
Friday, 4 July 2025
“But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions, Matthew 11:16
“And to what I will liken this generation? It is like children in markets, sitting and addressing their companions” (CG).
In the previous verse, Jesus declared that he who has ears to hear should hear. That was stated in regard to John being the Elijah who was anticipated in the book of Malachi. Now, knowing that many will not heed His words, He addresses the crowd, beginning with, “And to what I will liken this generation?”
Who Jesus is speaking about in this verse and the coming verses is debated. Although getting ahead in the commentary, this must be determined at some point. Some see “this generation” of this clause as Jesus’ comparison to John and Himself. Others see it in reverse, meaning Jesus is referring to Himself and John as the children calling out.
To understand further, Jesus continues, saying, “It is like children in markets, sitting and addressing their companions.”
Here, the word agora is introduced. It signifies the town square, but the term is then extended at times to signify a market or thoroughfare. Therefore, there are children playing. These are small children in view of all who come through, where the people are gathered. As they play, they address those around them, here called “their companions.”
As for who “this generation” is referring to, seemingly convincing arguments are given for both views. For example, the Pulpit Commentary says –
(1) Many modern commentators (e.g. Meyer; Trench,’ Studies,’ p. 148) insist on the grammar and on the historical order in which the complaints are made, and believe that the Jews correspond to the pipers and the mourners, while it is John that refuses to rejoice, and our Lord that will not be sad.
(2) But the more usual interpretation is preferable. For
(a) in an illustrative saying one has chiefly to regard its general sense;
(b) in verse. 18, 19 the action of John and of our Lord in “coming” corresponds to the activity of the children;
(c) this interpretation seems much more in accordance with the context. The verses are therefore to be understood as meaning- John mourned in urging repentance, our Lord rejoiced in gospel liberty and preaching, but both alike were only ridiculed by the Jews. Markets; marketplaces (Revised Version); for there is no thought of the children helping their elders in traffic. And calling (which call, Revised Version) unto their fellows. Addressing them, but not necessarily noisily (Luke 6:13; Luke 13:12). Matthew 11:16
Vincent’s Word Studies says –
“The Rev. Donald Fraser gives the picture simply and vividly: ‘He pictured a group of little children playing at make-believe marriages and funerals. First they acted a marriage procession; some of them piping as on instruments of music, while the rest were expected to leap and dance. In a perverse mood, however, these last did not respond, but stood still and looked discontented. So the little pipers changed their game and proposed a funeral. They began to imitate the loud wailing of eastern mourners. But again they were thwarted, for their companions refused to chime in with the mournful cry and to beat their breasts....So the disappointed children complained: ‘We piped unto you and ye did not dance; we wailed, and ye did not mourn. Nothing pleases you. If you don't want to dance, why don't yon mourn?...It is plain that yon are in bad humor, and determined not to be pleased’” (“Metaphors in the Gospels”). The issue is between the Jews (this generation) and the children of wisdom, Matthew 11:19.”
These arguments will be considered in the coming verses. However, a simple way to determine which view is likely correct is to look at the words “this generation.” In doing so, the likely view will be revealed. They are listed (as translated by the NKJV) as, Matthew 11:16, Matthew 12:41, Matthew 12:42, Matthew 12:45, Matthew 24:34, Mark 8:12, Mark 8:38, Mark 13:30, Luke 7:31, Luke 11:29, Luke 11:30, Luke 11:32, Luke 11:50, Luke 11:51, Luke 17:25, Luke 21:32, Acts 2:40. Note: Luke 16:8 is also close in thought to these verses. Likewise, other verses, such as Luke 9:41, though not using the term “this” still refer to the same generation in the same manner.
Reading those verses will reveal which view is most likely the correct one, even before all the verses related to Jesus’ words here are completed. In fact, every other instance identifies the same particular category. If the words “this generation” here are not referring to what they are, it would be an outlier.
Life application: Although in Scripture there are times when words are used in a sense different from the more common rendering, it can generally be expected that selected words will be used in a consistent manner. In some instances, the consistency will help definitively identify what is being said or pictured.
Therefore, doing word and phrase studies is a very helpful tool when analyzing passages. Doing it from English translations may bring out false comparisons because translators often use the same word to translate different words, or they will use different words to translate the same word.
Such inconsistencies will cause an analysis to be off a bit. Doing word studies in the original languages is rather easy, but phrase studies can be a bit more difficult. At times, there are commentaries that have already done such studies, thus saving the effort. But even then, scholars can make errors. Therefore, if possible, it is still good to verify their work.
When reading commentaries, don’t just hurriedly accept one because it sounds right. Reading those given above, the scholars have come to exactly the opposite conclusions. But if you were only provided with one of the commentaries, you might think that it sounds correct and agree.
However, with the two contrasting views, you can see that more thought and study are needed. As no commentary reviewed for this study analyzed the words “this generation,” it seemed like a logical point to check.
Expand on what you read. Consider what you come across. Think about what is being said and why the words are being provided by God in His word. Spend your time in the word wisely and check things out. It is a marvelous treasure of wonder and delight.
Lord God, help us to judiciously consider Your word, contemplating it from many angles and doing our best to determine what is right. May our conclusions be based on more than picking and choosing what we like or initially think, but on a careful analysis of what is presented. Help us in this, O God. Amen.
