What Does Matthew 11:16 Mean in the King James?
But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The scene begins with a voice already reaching toward someone; the question is whether the call finds a response.
THE MEANING
You are placed in a public square where children call to their companions. The call is directed toward other people, so the scene is not empty or private: connection is already being attempted. The verse holds you at the moment when a community’s response can be seen.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The lie is that the breakdown begins because no one calls; this image begins with a call already directed toward others.
THE ROOT
προσφωνοῦσιν
prosphōnousin
GROWS FROM
φων-
phōn-
The voice-and-sound word family; in this compound, a voice directed toward someone.
“calling” in this verse is prosphōnousin. The Greek verb makes this more than children making noise: it describes a voice aimed at its companions. The call and its intended hearers are already present before the verse tells us how they respond.
ALSO GROWS
phōnē: voice, sound
φωνή
The same word family names an audible voice, making the scene about speech that reaches a hearer.
phōneō: to call, speak aloud
φωνέω
This call-word family also appears in John 10:3, where a shepherd calls his own by name.
γενεὰν
genean
GROWS FROM
γένος
genos
Family, stock, or kind; a group understood through common lineage.
The word translated “generation” can also refer to a family, line, or kind of people. That gives the comparison room to describe a shared way of responding, as well as people living in the same period.
ALSO GROWS
genea: generation, age, family, or line
γενεά
Its range can make “this generation” sound like a recognizable people, not only a time-bound cohort.
genesis: origin, birth, coming into being
γένεσις
This related word keeps the sense of what comes forth, echoing the idea of a people as a recognizable kind.
THE PATTERN
A community is revealed by whether it answers the voices calling to it.
Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.They 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.THE THREAD
To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.Matthew’s word for “calling” and John’s words for “voice” and “calleth” belong to the same Greek voice family. Here children direct a call toward companions; in John, a familiar voice calls its own by name, and the hearers follow.
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