Matthew 11:16
“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus compares this generation to petulant children in the marketplace who refuse to join in any game, no matter how their playmates try to please them by either celebrating or mourning. It highlights their pervasive unresponsiveness and fickleness, demonstrating how no approach—whether joyful or somber—could win their favor or lead them to embrace God's message.
Jesus uses a vivid analogy of children playing in the marketplace to highlight the unresponsiveness and fickleness of the current generation. He explains that just as children playing games are met with complaints whether they propose joyful activities or mournful ones, so too this generation rejects both John the Baptist's austere message and Jesus' more sociable approach. This illustration directly follows Jesus' affirmation of John the Baptist's prophetic role and his powerful healing ministry, setting a somber tone about the rejection he and John faced.
Why would Jesus compare grown adults to children playing games? What does this tell us about their stubborn refusal to accept God's message?
Jesus uses a vivid analogy to highlight the stubborn and unreasonable nature of the generation He's addressing.
Imagine children playing in the marketplace. Some try to start a game – maybe a wedding celebration, complete with music. They 'pipe' (play music) hoping others will 'dance' (join in joyfully).
But the others refuse. They're sullen and won't participate. So, the first group tries a different game, perhaps imitating a funeral with mournful cries. They hope this will get a reaction.
Yet, again, the stubborn children won't respond. They neither 'dance' to the joyful music nor 'lament' to the sad tunes.
Jesus’ point is clear: these children, and by extension, the generation He’s speaking to, are impossible to please. They reject any attempt to engage them, whether it’s with joy or sorrow, austerity or fellowship.
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John the Baptist was like Elijah, and Jesus was like a social guest. Why did this generation find fault with both, but in opposite ways?
This generation wasn't just difficult to please; they applied a double standard to God's messengers.
John the Baptist: He came living an extremely austere life – 'neither eating nor drinking' as Jesus puts it. He was like a mourner, or perhaps like the prophet Elijah, calling people to repentance with a stern message.
Jesus (The Son of Man): In contrast, Jesus lived a more public life, 'eating and drinking' with people, including tax collectors and sinners. He engaged with society, sharing meals and fellowship.
It's a classic case of 'damned if you do, damned if you don't.' Their rigid expectations meant that no matter how God sent His messengers, this generation found fault. They were looking for excuses, not for truth.
Understand the original words
genea · Greek Noun
A term referring to the contemporaries of Jesus, often used to characterize the spiritual condition of those who rejected the message of John the Baptist and Jesus. It denotes a collective group marked by unbelief and stubbornness.
c. AD 28
John the Baptist Preaches
John the Baptist begins his ministry in the wilderness of Judea, calling people to repentance and baptizing them. He lives an austere life, neither eating nor drinking much.
c. AD 29
Jesus Begins Public Ministry
Jesus begins His public ministry, teaching, healing, and associating with all kinds of people, including tax collectors and sinners. He lives a more conventional life compared to John.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus Critiques Unresponsive Generation
Jesus delivers the parable of the children in the marketplace, criticizing the people of His generation for their inconsistent and critical reactions to both John the Baptist and Himself.
c. AD 30
Growing Opposition from Pharisees
The religious elite, particularly the Pharisees, increasingly oppose Jesus, criticizing His disciples' actions and His own associations.
This passage describes a similar scenario where Jesus compares the people's rejection of both John the Baptist's austere lifestyle and his own more common approach to children who refuse to play any game proposed by their companions. It directly parallels the theme of unreasonableness and dissatisfaction with God's messengers.
Isaiah 5:11-12This prophecy speaks of people who are so consumed by worldly pleasures and pursuits that they ignore God's word and warnings, much like the generation Jesus describes who are too preoccupied to respond to either John or himself.
Here, Jesus laments over Jerusalem's rejection of him, comparing their unwillingness to come to him to a hen gathering her brood, highlighting a persistent theme of a people resistant to God's persistent attempts to draw them near.
This passage contrasts God's wisdom, which appears foolish to the world, with human wisdom. It sheds light on why both John's asceticism and Jesus's more social approach might be rejected, as people often fail to recognize God's true wisdom in His chosen methods.
barnesMatthew 11:16: "But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,"
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 5:11-1…
calvinMatthew 11:16-19: "But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,"
- But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children, who sit in the market-place, and call out to their companions, 17. And say, We have played on the flute to you, and you have not danced; we have sung mournful airs to you, and you have not lamented. 18. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. 19. Th…
Jesus compares this generation to petulant children in the marketplace who refuse to join in any game, no matter how their playmates try to please them by either celebrating or mourning. It highlights their pervasive unresponsiveness and fickleness, demonstrating how no approach—whether joyful or somber—could win their favor or lead them to embrace God's message.
Jesus uses a vivid analogy of children playing in the marketplace to highlight the unresponsiveness and fickleness of the current generation. He explains that just as children playing games are met with complaints whether they propose joyful activities or mournful ones, so too this generation rejects both John the Baptist's austere message and Jesus' more sociable approach. This illustration directly follows Jesus' affirmation of John the Baptist's prophetic role and his powerful healing ministry, setting a somber tone about the rejection he and John faced.
Jesus uses a vivid analogy of children playing in the marketplace to highlight the unresponsiveness and fickleness of the current generation. He explains that just as children playing games are met with complaints whether they propose joyful activities or mournful ones, so too this generation rejects both John the Baptist's austere message and Jesus' more sociable approach. This illustration directly follows Jesus' affirmation of John the Baptist's prophetic role and his powerful healing ministry, setting a somber tone about the rejection he and John faced.
"“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates," — Jesus compares this generation to petulant children in the marketplace who refuse to join in any game, no matter how their playmates try to please them by either celebrating or mourning. It highlight…
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