Children in Markets Calling - Matthew 11:16

Matthew the apostle shared how Jesus said, “Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there has not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if you will receive it, this is Elijah, which was for to come. He that has ears to hear, let him hear”, and in chapter eleven and verse sixteen of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus said people, “were like children sitting in the markets” where we read:

But where-unto shall I liken this generation?

It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,

The verse reads, “But where-unto shall I liken this generation?” Matthew began with the words, “but” which means “nevertheless, moreover and” “where-unto” or “to what or whom” “shall I liken” which means “will Jesus compare” “this generation” or “this same age or group of men very like each other in endowments, pursuits and character”? Matthew shared how Jesus questioned what the present “generation” of His day resembled.

The verse continues, “It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows.” Matthew added the words, “it is like” which means “the generation of Jesus is similar, corresponds to and resembles” “children” or “little lads or boys” “sitting” or “who are seated, occupying and fixed in a place” “in the markets” which refers to “within the assembly of buying a selling”, “and calling” or “and addressing and summoning” “unto their fellows” which means “to their mates, partners and friends”. Matthew shared how Jesus compared the “generation” of His day to little boys who are sitting in the market places and “calling out to” their friends.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus was questioning to what He might compare His “generation”. His answer was that they were similar to “little boys” who were sitting in the places of commerce and summoning their friends. Though Jesus will have more to share about this in the next verses, we discover His desire to relate to those with whom He is speaking. God desires “truth in the inward parts”, and when He labels a group of people with a particular example, those who are wise will carefully examine themselves to determine whether they are similar to those Jesus employs.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus refers to the little boys who, “have piped … and mourned unto” their friends, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.