Matthew 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 whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like vnto children, sitting in the markets, and calling vnto their fellowes,
Original 1611 marginTranslation notes and cross-references are kept distinct.
- *Cross-referenceLuk. 7.31.
And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.
And saying, we haue piped vnto you, and ye haue not danced: wee haue mourned vnto you, and ye haue not lamented.
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.
For Iohn came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, he hath a deuill.
The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
The sonne of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a wine bibber, a friend of publicanes and sinners: but wisedom is iustified of her children.
Narration uses the Pure Cambridge Edition.
PASSAGE SELECTION
Build from either side
Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.
SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE
Cross References
20 Essential passages are open for comparison.
From verse 16
- Luke 7:31–35Rank 1 from verse 16
31¶ And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?
32They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.
33For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil.
34The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!
35But wisdom is justified of all her children.
31¶ And the Lord said, *whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?
32They are like vnto children sitting in the market place, & calling one to another, and saying, We haue piped vnto you, and ye haue not danced: wee haue mourned to you, and yee haue not wept.
33For Iohn the Baptist came, neither eating bread, nor drinking wine, and ye say, He hath a deuill.
34The sonne of man is come, eating, and drinking, and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a wine bibber, a friend of Publicanes and sinners.
35But wisedome is iustified of all her children.
- Lamentations 2:13Rank 2 from verse 16
13What thing shall I take to witness for thee? what thing shall I liken to thee, O daughter of Jerusalem? what shall I equal to thee, that I may comfort thee, O virgin daughter of Zion? for thy breach is great like the sea: who can heal thee?
13What thing shall I take to witnesse for thee? what thing shall I liken to thee, O daughter of Ierusalem? what shall I equal to thee, that I may comfort thee, O Uirgin daughter of Zion? for thy breach is great like the sea: who can heale thee?
- Luke 13:18Rank 3 from verse 16
- Matthew 12:34Rank 5 from verse 16
- Matthew 23:36Rank 6 from verse 16
- Matthew 24:34Rank 7 from verse 16
From verse 17
- Isaiah 28:9–13Rank 1 from verse 17
9¶ Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
10For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
11For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
12To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.
13But the word of the Lord was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
9¶ †Whome shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to vnderstand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milke, and drawen from the breasts.
10‖For precept must be vpon precept, precept vpon precept, line vpon line, line vpon line, here a litle, and there a litle.
11†*‖For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speake to this people.
12To whom he said, This is the rest wherwith ye may cause the weary to rest, and this is the refreshing, yet they would not heare.
13But the word of the LORD was vnto them, precept vpon precept, precept vpon precept, line vpon line, line vpon line, here a litle and there a litle: that they might goe and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
- Isaiah 30:29Rank 2 from verse 17
29Ye shall have a song, as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one goeth with a pipe to come into the mountain of the Lord, to the mighty One of Israel.
29†Yee shall haue a song as in the night, when a holy solemnitie is kept, and gladnesse of heart, as when one goeth with a pipe to come into the mountaine of the LORD, to the mighty one of Israel.
- Jeremiah 9:17–20Rank 3 from verse 17
17¶ Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Consider ye, and call for the mourning women, that they may come; and send for cunning women, that they may come:
18And let them make haste, and take up a wailing for us, that our eyes may run down with tears, and our eyelids gush out with waters.
19For a voice of wailing is heard out of Zion, How are we spoiled! we are greatly confounded, because we have forsaken the land, because our dwellings have cast us out.
20Yet hear the word of the Lord, O ye women, and let your ear receive the word of his mouth, and teach your daughters wailing, and every one her neighbour lamentation.
17¶ Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Consider yee, and call for the mourning women, that they may come, and send for cunning women, that they may come.
18And let them make haste, and take vp a wailing for vs, that our eyes may run down with teares, and our eyelids gush out with waters.
19For a voyce of wayling is heard out of Zion, How are we spoiled? wee are greatly confounded, because wee haue forsaken the land, because our dwellings haue cast vs out.
20Yet heare the word of the LORD, O ye women, & let your eare receiue the word of his mouth, and teach your daughters wailing, and euery one her neighbour lamentation.
- Jeremiah 31:4Rank 4 from verse 17
4Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry.
4*‖Againe I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgine of Israel, thou shalt againe be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt goe forth in the daunces of them that make merry.
- Matthew 9:15Rank 5 from verse 17
15And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.
15And Iesus saide vnto them, Can the children of the bride-chamber mourne, as long as the bridegrome is with them? But the dayes will come when the bridegrome shall bee taken from them, and then shall they fast.
- 1 Corinthians 9:19–23Rank 6 from verse 17
19For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
20And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
21To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
22To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
23And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
19For though I bee free from all men, yet haue I made my selfe seruant vnto all, that I might gaine the more.
20And vnto the Iewes, I became as a Iew, that I might gaine the Iewes: to them that are vnder the Law, as vnder the Law, that I might gaine them that are vnder the Law:
21To them that are without Law, as without Law (being not without Law to God, but vnder the Law to Christ,) that I might gaine them that are without Law.
22To the weake became I as weake, that I might gaine the weake: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all meanes saue some.
23And this I doe for the Gospels sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
- 1 Kings 1:40Rank 7 from verse 17
- Luke 15:25Rank 8 from verse 17
- Matthew 9:23Rank 9 from verse 17
From verse 18
15For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.
15For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shal drinke neither wine, nor strong drinke, and he shall bee filled with the holy Ghost, euen from his mothers wombe.
- Matthew 3:4Rank 2 from verse 18
- John 10:20Rank 3 from verse 18
- Matthew 10:25Rank 4 from verse 18
25It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
25It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the seruant as his Lord: If they haue called the Master of the house of Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
- Jeremiah 15:17Rank 5 from verse 18
7The days of visitation are come, the days of recompence are come; Israel shall know it: the prophet is a fool, the spiritual man is mad, for the multitude of thine iniquity, and the great hatred.
7†The dayes of visitation are come, the dayes of recompence are come, Israel shall know it; the Prophet is a foole, the spirituall man is madde, for the multitude of thine iniquitie and the great hatred.
- 1 Corinthians 9:27Rank 9 from verse 18
- 2 Kings 9:11Rank 10 from verse 18
11¶ Then Jehu came forth to the servants of his lord: and one said unto him, Is all well? wherefore came this mad fellow to thee? And he said unto them, Ye know the man, and his communication.
11¶ Then Iehu came foorth to the seruants of his lord, and one said vnto him, Is all well? wherefore came this madde fellow to thee? And he said vnto them, Yee know the man, and his communication.
- Acts 26:24Rank 11 from verse 18
- Jeremiah 16:8–9Rank 12 from verse 18
8Thou shalt not also go into the house of feasting, to sit with them to eat and to drink.
9For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will cause to cease out of this place in your eyes, and in your days, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride.
8Thou shalt not also goe into the house of feasting, to sit with them to eat and to drinke.
9*For thus sayth the LORD of hostes, the God of Israel: Behold, I will cause to cease out of this place in your eyes, and in your dayes, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladnesse, the voice of the bridegroome, and the voice of the bride.
- Jeremiah 29:26Rank 13 from verse 18
26The Lord hath made thee priest in the stead of Jehoiada the priest, that ye should be officers in the house of the Lord, for every man that is mad, and maketh himself a prophet, that thou shouldest put him in prison, and in the stocks.
26*The LORD hath made thee Priest in the stead of Iehoiada the Priest, that ye should be Officers in the house of the LORD, for euery man that is madde, and maketh himselfe a Prophet, that thou shouldest put him in prison, and in the stockes:
From verse 19
- Luke 7:34–36Rank 1 from verse 19
34The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!
35But wisdom is justified of all her children.
36¶ And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat.
34The sonne of man is come, eating, and drinking, and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a wine bibber, a friend of Publicanes and sinners.
35But wisedome is iustified of all her children.
36¶ *And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisees house, and sate downe to meat.
- Matthew 9:10–11Rank 2 from verse 19
10¶ And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.
11And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
10¶ And it came to passe, as Iesus sate at meate in the house, behold, many publicanes and sinners, came and sate downe with him and his Disciples.
11And when the Pharisees saw it, they said vnto his disciples, Why eateth your master with publicanes & sinners.
- Luke 15:1–2Rank 3 from verse 19
1THEN drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
2And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
1¶ Then drew neere vnto him all the Publicanes and sinners, for to heare him.
2And the Pharises and Scribes murmured, murmured, saying, This man receiueth sinners, and eateth with them.
- Luke 5:29–30Rank 5 from verse 19
29And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them.
30But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?
29And Leui made him a great feast in his owne house: and there was a great company of Publicanes, and of others that sate downe with them.
30But their Scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why doe ye eate and drinke with Publicanes and sinners?
- 1 Corinthians 1:24–29Rank 7 from verse 19
24But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
25Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
28And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
29That no flesh should glory in his presence.
24But vnto them which are called, both Iewes and Greekes, Christ, the power of God, & the wisedome of God.
25Because the foolishnesse of God is wiser then men: and the weakenesse of God is stronger then men.
26For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called.
27But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world, to confound the wise: and God hath chosen the weake things of the world, to confound the things which are mighty:
28And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are,
29That no flesh should glory in his presence.
- Proverbs 17:24Rank 9 from verse 19
- Psalms 92:5–6Rank 10 from verse 19
- John 12:2–8Rank 11 from verse 19
2There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
3Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
4Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him,
5Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
6This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
7Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.
8For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.
2There they made him a supper, and Martha serued: but Lazarus was one of them y t sate at the table with him.
3Then tooke Mary a pound of ointment, of Spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Iesus, & wiped his feet with her haire: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
4Then saith one of his disciples, Iudas Iscariot, Simons sonne, which should betray him,
5Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and giuen to the poore?
6*This he said, not that he cared for the poore: but because hee was a thiefe, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
7Then said Iesus, Let her alone, against the day of my burying hath she kept this.
8For the poore alwayes yee haue with you: but me ye haue not alwayes.
- Revelation 5:11–14Rank 13 from verse 19
11And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
12Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
13And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
14And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
11And I beheld, and I heard the voyce of many Angels, round about the Throne, and the beasts and the Elders, and the number of them was ten thousand times tenne thousand, and thousands of thousands,
12Saying with a lowd voice, Worthy is the Lambe that was slaine, to receiue power, and riches, and wisedome, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
13And euery creature which is in heauen, and on the earth, and vnder the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I, saying, Blessing, honour, glory, and power bee vnto him that sitteth vpon the Throne, and vnto the Lambe for euer and euer.
14And the foure beasts said, Amen. And the foure and twenty Elders fell downe and worshipped him that liueth for euer and euer.
- Romans 15:2Rank 14 from verse 19
- Ephesians 3:8–10Rank 15 from verse 19
8Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
9And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
10To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
8Unto mee, who am lesse then the least of all Saints, is this grace giuen, that I should preach among the Gentiles the vnsearchable riches of Christ,
9And to make all men see, what is the fellowship of the mysterie, which from the beginning of the world, hath bene hid in God, who created all things by Iesus Christ:
10To the intent that now vnto the principalities and powers in heauenly places, might be knowen by the church, the manifold wisedome of God,
- Revelation 7:12Rank 16 from verse 19
WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE
Definitions
Open a word for its full definition and concordance.
DEFINED WORDS
Matthew 11:16
Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828
Unto or to what or which place, person, thing, likeness, office, purpose, condition, or result.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
To compare, represent, describe, or treat a person or thing as like, similar, equal, or corresponding to another.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
COMBINED MEANING
generation
Offspring, a family line, people of one age, or the period of a lifetime.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: Similar or of the same kind; in the same manner; likely. Sense 2: A like person or thing; an equal or counterpart. Sense 3: To please, choose, or regard with favour.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828
Sons or daughters; descendants; or persons likened to children by age, relation, or character.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Being seated, remaining, dwelling, or holding a place.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Public places of buying and selling.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Companions, associates, partners, colleagues, or persons belonging with the same company or class.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
DEFINED WORDS
Matthew 11:17
Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of pipe, meaning to play upon a pipe or other wind instrument.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
The second-person plural pronoun referring to those being addressed.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
The second-person plural subject pronoun, referring to the persons being addressed as those who are, do, or receive the stated predicate.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of dance, meaning to move the body or feet rhythmically, often in joy or celebration. Sense 2: Such movement.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of mourn, meaning to grieve, sorrow, lament, weep, or express distress. Sense 2: To show the effects of ruin and sorrow.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Past-tense or past-participial form of lament. Mourned, grieved, wept, wailed, or expressed sorrow for.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
DEFINED WORDS
Matthew 11:18
1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. Also not; nor, introducing or joining a further negative statement or prohibition. 2. Not either, or none, of the alternatives named, commonly in a neither ... nor construction.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Chewing, swallowing, or consuming food.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: To speak, declare, tell, or express. Sense 2: What is said.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: The Devil: Satan, the old serpent, the enemy, adversary, tempter, and deceiver. Sense 2: An evil or unclean spirit. Sense 3: By figure, a person characterized by great wickedness.
Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
DEFINED WORDS
Matthew 11:19
A title of Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Son of man.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Chewing, swallowing, or consuming food.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: To speak, declare, tell, or express. Sense 2: What is said.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. Used as an attention word or command directing someone to look at or take notice of the person, thing, statement, or event presented: look; see; take notice. 2. As a verb, to look upon, see, observe, or witness.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
COMBINED MEANING
gluttonous
Given to excessive eating; indulging the appetite for food to excess.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
One joined to another by affection, goodwill, or alliance; to support or befriend.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Collectors of public taxes or revenue.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Persons who sin; those guilty of transgression against God.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828
Knowledge, understanding, judgment, skill, or prudence.
Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references
1. Declared righteous or acquitted. 2. Shown or proved to be right. 3. Comparatively shown to be more righteous.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sons or daughters; descendants; or persons likened to children by age, relation, or character.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
FOLLOW THE THEME
Related Concepts
Choose a connected KJV word or phrase to find where it appears in scripture.
READ BEFORE AND AFTER
Surrounding Verses
Nearby Scripture remains separate from the selected passage until you add it.
15He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
15Hee that hath eares to heare, let him heare.
16¶ But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,
16¶ *But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like vnto children, sitting in the markets, and calling vnto their fellowes,
Selected passage17And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.
17And saying, we haue piped vnto you, and ye haue not danced: wee haue mourned vnto you, and ye haue not lamented.
Selected passage18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.
18For Iohn came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, he hath a deuill.
Selected passage19The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
19The sonne of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a wine bibber, a friend of publicanes and sinners: but wisedom is iustified of her children.
Selected passage20¶ Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:
20¶ *Then began he to vpbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not.