Devine Scripture

Matthew 11:16

What does Matthew 11:16 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 11:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 11:16 means

Jesus then described the stubborn and inconsistent nature of that generation by comparing them to fickle children playing in the marketplace. He illustrated their childish behavior as refusing to respond appropriately to different tunes played by their peers. This analogy highlights their unreasonable fault-finding and their spiritual immaturity. No matter how the message was presented, whether joyful or sorrowful, they remained unresponsive, unwilling to engage with truth unless it perfectly suited their desires.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

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

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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

Context

This verse shifts Jesus' focus from John the Baptist to a wider critique of the generation's spiritual stubbornness. By likening them to uncooperative children, Jesus introduces an extended metaphor that will be applied to both John's ministry and his own, setting the stage for specific examples of their rejection in the verses that follow.

v.15He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

v.16This passage

v.17and say, We piped unto you, and ye did not dance; we wailed, and ye did not mourn.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 23:36

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

  • Matthew 24:34

    Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all these things be accomplished.

  • Luke 13:18

    He said therefore, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I liken it?

  • Matthew 12:34

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

  • Luke 7:31

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

  • Lamentations 2:13

    What shall I testify unto thee? what shall I liken to thee, O daughter of Jerusalem? What shall I compare to thee, that I may comfort thee, O virgin daughter of Zion? For thy breach is great like the sea: who can heal thee?

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