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Matthew 11:16 — King James Version← Study notes

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


Matthew 11:16Greek Interlinear

Greek · Matthew 11:1617 words
GreekMeaning
ΤίνιTini
a (kind of), any (man, thingpronounG5100
δὲde
howeverwordG1161
ὁμοιώσωhomoiōsō
will I compareverbG3666
τὴνtēn
thearticleG3588
γενεὰνgenean
generationnounG1074
ταύτηνtautēn
this?demonstrativeG3778
ὁμοίαhomoia
LikeadjectiveG3664
ἐστὶνestin
it isverbG1510
παιδίοιςpaidiois
(little, young) child, damselnounG3813
καθημένοιςkathēmenois
sittingverbG2521
ἐνen
inprepositionG1722
ταῖςtais
thearticleG3588
ἀγοραῖςagorais
marketsnounG58
ha
who / whichrelative pronounG3739
προσφωνοῦνταprosphōnounta
call unto, speak (un-)toverbG4377
τοῖςtois
thearticleG3588
ἑτέροιςheterois
altered, else, next (day)adjectiveG2087
Greek text from the SBL Greek New Testament (SBLGNT). Transliteration follows SBL Academic conventions.

Church Fathers on Matthew 11:16

The whole of this speech is a reproach of unbelief, and arises out of the foregoing complaint; that the stiff-necked people had not learned by two different modes of teaching.

Hilary of Poitiers · 4th century

Whence He puts this question, shewing that nothing had been omitted that ought to be done for their salvation, saying, 'To whom shall I liken this generation?

Chrysostom · 4th century

By 'this generation' He means the Jews together with Himself and John. As though He had said; John is thus great; but ye would believe neither him nor Me, and therefore to whom shall I liken you?

Gloss (Glossa Ordinaria) · medieval compilation · ap. Anselm
Read all 19 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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Omar HassanNote4mo ago
When No One Wins
Jesus tells a parable: we played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn. No matter what God offers, this generation refuses. Celebration or lamentation—they re...
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