Matthew 11:16

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

Matthew 11:16 in Other Translations

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

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

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

16 "How can I account for this generation? The people have been like spoiled children whining to their parents,

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

16 "How can I describe the people who are living now? They are like children who sit in the marketplaces and shout to other children,

16 "To what should I compare this generation? It's like children sitting in the marketplaces who call out to each other:

16 "What can I compare today's people to? They are like children sitting in the market places and calling out to others. They say,

Matthew 11:16 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 11:16

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.

Matthew 11:16 In-Context

14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.

15 Whoever has ears, let them hear.

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

17 “ ‘We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’

18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’