Luke 7:31 - Printer Friendly

ESV: “To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like?

NIV: Jesus went on to say, 'To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like?

NASB: To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like?

CSB: "To what then should I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like?

NLT: To what can I compare the people of this generation?' Jesus asked. 'How can I describe them?

KJV: And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?

NKJV: And the Lord said, “To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like?

Jesus has addressed John the Baptist's questions about who He is (Luke 7:18–23). He has explained the unprecedented prophetic role John holds in God's plan (Luke 7:24–30). Now, He describes the response of the people to both John's and His messages.

"Generation" is a term which can be over-analyzed. In the simplest sense, it means some collection of people living in roughly the same time and place. The ensuing description is negative, which fits with the Pharisees and lawyers Luke has just mentioned (Luke 7:30). Yet the criticism is not merely about those religious leaders. The majority of both John's and Jesus' audiences reject them and their messages. The Jews as a people reject their Messiah. Jesus points this out in a bit when He comments that "this generation" considers Him "a friend of tax collectors and sinners" (Luke 7:34). The Pharisees and lawyers, or scribes, certainly do, but the average person attempting to live a good life by following the Mosaic law likely would, as well.

Still, there is always a remnant. Those sinners and tax collectors—and even Roman soldiers—accepted John's message of repentance and are "prepared" for Jesus' (Luke 3:10–14; 7:27). Matthew's version says, "But to what shall I compare this generation?" (Matthew 11:16).

Luke 7:24–35 records Jesus making an interesting observation. John lived an ascetic, monk-like lifestyle in the wilderness; Jesus eats and drinks alongside moral and social outcasts. Yet both preach the same message of repentance of sins. The sinners and tax collectors respond to both John and Jesus, drawn to the message without concern for their lifestyles. Stubborn religious leaders, however, claim to judge their lifestyles; what they really can't accept is the message proclaimed by Jesus and John. This section is also depicted in Matthew 11:7–19.

Luke 7 presents a chiasm: a set of themes mirrored around a reflection point. The humble centurion (Luke 7:1–10) contrasts the legalistic Pharisee (Luke 7:39–50). The widow of Nain (Luke 7:11–17) and the sinful women (Luke 7:36–38) have nothing to offer but gratitude for Jesus' blessings. In the center are John the Baptist and his disciples who struggle to trust that Jesus is worth following (Luke 7:18–23), then the sinners who do choose to follow Jesus and the religious leaders who refuse (Luke 7:24–35).

Luke 7 continues Jesus' mission primarily to the people of Galilee expressed as a series of pointed events and teachings punctuated by calls to follow Him. He has finished teaching the rigors of discipleship (Luke 6:17–45) and invited the crowd to place their faith in Him (Luke 6:46–49). Here, Luke describes different reactions to Jesus' miracles and message. Next, Jesus will reveal the mechanics of and reactions to His call (Luke 8:4–21) before showing His great authority over nature, demons, sickness, and worldly powers (Luke 8:22—9:17). After a final call to the disciples to deepen their faith (Luke 9:18–50), Jesus will turn toward Jerusalem (Luke 9:51—19:27).

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.