Luke 7:31 – “Jesus went on to say, ‘To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like?'”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
In this verse, Jesus begins a brief parable where He describes the spiritual stubbornness and rejection of truth by many people of His generation. By asking, “To what can I compare them?” Jesus is about to draw an analogy that reveals their unwillingness to respond to God’s message, whether it came through John the Baptist or through Him.
This verse serves as an introduction to a rebuke. The people of His generation had seen John’s call to repentance and Jesus’ works of compassion and miracles, yet many of them remained unresponsive or critical. Jesus is not speaking about everyone in His time—some did repent and follow Him—but He is addressing a common attitude of resistance, especially among the religious leaders and others who rejected both John and Jesus for different reasons.
Historical Context
During Jesus’ time, many Jews were eagerly awaiting the Messiah. They had read the Old Testament prophecies and had high hopes for someone who would deliver them from Roman oppression and restore Israel’s greatness. However, Jesus didn’t fit their expectations. His teachings about humility, forgiveness, and a spiritual kingdom clashed with their desires for political power and national restoration.
John the Baptist’s ministry was also unconventional. He lived in the wilderness, wore simple clothes, and preached a hard message of repentance, warning people to turn from their sins. While some responded, others rejected him, thinking he was too extreme or harsh. When Jesus came preaching grace and performing miracles, many rejected Him too, criticizing Him for associating with sinners. Jesus’ comparison in this verse points to the people’s fickle and stubborn nature—they found reasons to reject both messengers of God.
Theological Implications
This verse highlights the problem of spiritual hard-heartedness. The people Jesus describes weren’t rejecting John and Jesus because of a lack of evidence. They saw John’s call to repentance and Jesus’ miracles, but their hearts were hardened by pride, self-righteousness, and a refusal to surrender to God’s plan.
It shows that people often resist God’s truth not because it’s unclear, but because it challenges their expectations or desires. Some people rejected John because they didn’t want to repent, and others rejected Jesus because His message of grace offended their sense of self-righteousness. This reveals that accepting God’s message requires humility and a willingness to be transformed.
Theologically, this verse also shows the consistency of human nature. Throughout history, people have often resisted God’s messengers, whether they were prophets, John the Baptist, or even Jesus Himself. But God’s truth remains unchanging, and those who humble themselves and receive it find salvation and life.
Literary Analysis
This verse is the opening of a parable where Jesus uses the image of children playing games in the marketplace (Luke 7:32). His rhetorical question, “To what can I compare the people of this generation?” invites the listener to reflect on the problem before He provides the answer. This literary device builds tension and anticipation, drawing the audience into the discussion before delivering the lesson.
The phrase “this generation” doesn’t refer to every individual living at the time but to the general attitude of resistance and rejection shown by many, especially the religious elite. By using this phrase, Jesus is making a broad statement about the spiritual condition of the people.
Biblical Cross-References
- Matthew 11:16-17 – A parallel passage where Jesus uses the same analogy of children in the marketplace to describe the rejection of John and Jesus.
- Isaiah 6:9-10 – A prophecy about people hearing but not understanding, seeing but not perceiving, because of their hardened hearts.
- John 1:11 – “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him,” describing the rejection of Jesus.
- Hebrews 3:7-8 – A warning against hardening one’s heart when hearing God’s voice.
- Acts 7:51 – Stephen rebukes the religious leaders for always resisting the Holy Spirit, highlighting the pattern of rejection throughout history.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For today’s Christians, this verse is a reminder to examine whether we are truly open to God’s truth or whether we sometimes resist it because it challenges us. Like the people of Jesus’ generation, we can be tempted to reject God’s message when it doesn’t fit our expectations or when it convicts us of sin.
It also teaches the importance of humility in responding to God. The people who rejected John and Jesus weren’t lacking information—they were lacking humility. Christians today are called to approach God with open hearts, ready to be corrected, taught, and transformed by His Word.
Additionally, this verse challenges believers to remain faithful in sharing the Gospel, even when others reject it. Just as John and Jesus experienced rejection, Christians should expect that some people will resist God’s message. But that doesn’t mean we should stop sharing it. Our job is to faithfully proclaim the truth and trust God to work in people’s hearts.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is shown in the fact that He sent both John and Jesus to call people to repentance and salvation, despite knowing that many would reject them. This demonstrates God’s patience and compassion. He doesn’t give up on people easily—He continually sends messengers and provides opportunities for them to turn to Him.
God’s love is also reflected in the fact that Jesus doesn’t condemn the entire generation outright. Instead, He uses this parable as a teaching moment, giving them a chance to reflect on their behavior and change their hearts. This shows that even when people resist Him, God’s desire is for them to repent and be saved (2 Peter 3:9).
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse is directly tied to Jesus’ mission of calling people to repentance and faith. Just as John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus, Jesus is now calling people to recognize Him as the Messiah and receive the kingdom of God. The rejection of John foreshadowed the rejection that Jesus Himself would face, culminating in His crucifixion.
Despite the rejection, Jesus’ mission didn’t fail. His death and resurrection fulfilled God’s plan of salvation, offering grace even to those who had initially rejected Him. This verse reminds us that Jesus is the ultimate expression of God’s love and mercy, and His invitation to receive salvation is still open to all who are willing to respond.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Are there areas in your life where you are resisting God’s message because it challenges your expectations or desires?
- How can you cultivate a humble heart that is open to correction and willing to respond to God’s call?
- What can you learn from the rejection of John and Jesus about sharing the Gospel today?
- How does understanding God’s patience and love encourage you when people reject the message of salvation?
- How can you ensure that you are listening to God’s voice, even when His message is difficult to accept?
Luke 7:31 is a call to self-examination and a reminder of the importance of responding to God with humility and faith. It challenges us to overcome spiritual stubbornness and trust that God’s plan, even when it challenges us, is ultimately for our good and His glory.