Luke 7:32
New International Version
They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other: “’We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not cry.’

New Living Translation
They are like children playing a game in the public square. They complain to their friends, ‘We played wedding songs, and you didn’t dance, so we played funeral songs, and you didn’t weep.’

English Standard Version
They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’

Berean Standard Bible
They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to one another: ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’

Berean Literal Bible
They are like to little children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying: 'We piped to you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.'

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying: ‘We played the flute for you, And you did not dance; We mourned to you, And you did not weep.’

New American Standard Bible
They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another, and say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a song of mourning, and you did not weep.’

NASB 1995
“They are like children who sit in the market place and call to one another, and they say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’

NASB 1977
“They are like children who sit in the market place and call to one another; and they say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’

Legacy Standard Bible
They are like children, sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, who say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not cry.’

Amplified Bible
They are like children sitting in the market place and calling to one another, and saying, ‘We played the flute for you [pretending to be at a wedding], and you did not dance; we sang a dirge [pretending to be at a funeral], and you did not weep [so nothing we did appealed to you].’

Christian Standard Bible
They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to each other: We played the flute for you, but you didn’t dance; we sang a lament, but you didn’t weep!

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to each other: We played the flute for you, but you didn’t dance; we sang a lament, but you didn’t weep!

American Standard Version
They are like unto children that sit in the marketplace, and call one to another; who say, We piped unto you, and ye did not dance; we wailed, and ye did not weep.

Contemporary English Version
You are like children sitting in the market and shouting to each other, "We played the flute, but you would not dance! We sang a funeral song, but you would not cry!"

English Revised Version
They are like unto children that sit in the marketplace, and call one to another; which say, We piped unto you, and ye did not dance; we wailed, and ye did not weep.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They are like children who sit in the marketplace and shout to each other, 'We played music for you, but you didn't dance. We sang a funeral song, but you didn't cry.'

Good News Translation
They are like children sitting in the marketplace. One group shouts to the other, 'We played wedding music for you, but you wouldn't dance! We sang funeral songs, but you wouldn't cry!'

International Standard Version
They're like little children who sit in the marketplace and shout to each other, 'A wedding song we played for you, the dance you all did scorn. A woeful dirge we chanted, too, but then you would not mourn.'

Majority Standard Bible
They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to one another: ?We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge for you, and you did not weep.?

NET Bible
They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to one another, 'We played the flute for you, yet you did not dance; we wailed in mourning, yet you did not weep.'

New Heart English Bible
They are like children who sit in the marketplace, and call one to another, saying, 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance. We mourned, and you did not weep.'

Webster's Bible Translation
They are like children sitting in the market-place, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped to you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.

Weymouth New Testament
They are like children sitting in the public square and calling out to one another, 'We have played the flute to you, and you have not danced: we have sung dirges, and you have not shown sorrow.'

World English Bible
They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another, saying, ‘We piped to you, and you didn’t dance. We mourned, and you didn’t weep.’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
They are like to children, to those sitting in a marketplace, and calling to one another, and saying, We piped to you, and you did not dance, we mourned to you, and you did not weep!

Berean Literal Bible
They are like to little children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying: 'We piped to you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.'

Young's Literal Translation
they are like to children, to those sitting in a market-place, and calling one to another, and saying, We piped to you, and ye did not dance, we mourned to you, and ye did not weep!

Smith's Literal Translation
They are like children sitting in the market-place, and calling to one another, and saying, We played the flute to you, and ye danced not; we lamented to you, and ye wept not.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
They are like to children sitting in the marketplace, and speaking one to another, and saying: We have piped to you, and you have not danced: we have mourned, and you have not wept.

Catholic Public Domain Version
They are like children sitting in the marketplace, talking with one another, and saying: ‘We sang to you, and you did not dance. We lamented, and you did not weep.’

New American Bible
They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance. We sang a dirge, but you did not weep.’

New Revised Standard Version
They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not weep.’
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
They are like boys who sit in the street, and call to their friends and say, We have sung to you but you did not dance; and we have wailed to you and you did not weep.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“It is like boys sitting in the street and calling their friends and saying, 'We sang to you and you did not dance, and we howled to you and you did not cry.'”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
They are like children sitting in the market-place, who call to one another, and say, We have played on the pipe for you, and you have not danced; we have sung mournful songs for you, and you have not lamented.

Godbey New Testament
They are like unto little children sitting in the market-place, and calling to one another, and saying, We piped unto you, and you did not dance; we mourned unto you, and you did not weep.

Haweis New Testament
They are like to children sitting in the markets, and calling to each other, and saying, We have played the flute to you, and ye have not danced; we have raised the cry of mourning, and ye have not wept.

Mace New Testament
they are like children playing together in the street, who cry, we have play'd to you on the flute, but you have not danced: we have sung mournful dittys, but you have not lamented.

Weymouth New Testament
They are like children sitting in the public square and calling out to one another, 'We have played the flute to you, and you have not danced: we have sung dirges, and you have not shown sorrow.'

Worrell New Testament
They are like children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, who say, 'We piped to you, and ye did not dance; we wailed, and ye did not weep.'

Worsley New Testament
and to what are they like? they are like children sitting in the market-place, and calling to one another, and saying, "We have played pleasant tunes to you, and ye have not danced; we have sung mournful ones and ye have not wept:"

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jesus Testifies about John
31“To what, then, can I compare the men of this generation? What are they like? 32They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to one another: ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’ 33For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon!’…

Cross References
Matthew 11:16-19
To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: / ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ / For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’ ...

Matthew 23:37
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!

Isaiah 53:3
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.

Ezekiel 33:32
Indeed, you are to them like a singer of love songs with a beautiful voice, who skillfully plays an instrument. They hear your words but do not put them into practice.

Zechariah 7:11-12
But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they stopped up their ears from hearing. / They made their hearts like flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the LORD of Hosts had sent by His Spirit through the earlier prophets. Therefore great anger came from the LORD of Hosts.

Jeremiah 6:16-17
This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths: ‘Where is the good way?’ Then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’ / I appointed watchmen over you and said, ‘Listen for the sound of the ram’s horn.’ But they answered, ‘We will not listen!’

Proverbs 1:24-31
Because you refused my call, and no one took my outstretched hand, / because you neglected all my counsel, and wanted none of my correction, / in turn I will mock your calamity; I will sneer when terror strikes you, ...

John 5:39-40
You pore over the Scriptures because you presume that by them you possess eternal life. These are the very words that testify about Me, / yet you refuse to come to Me to have life.

John 1:11
He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.

John 8:45-47
But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me! / Which of you can prove Me guilty of sin? If I speak the truth, why do you not believe Me? / Whoever belongs to God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

Acts 7:51-52
You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did. / Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers—

2 Timothy 4:3-4
For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. / So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

Romans 10:21
But as for Israel he says: “All day long I have held out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”

1 Corinthians 1:22-24
Jews demand signs and Greeks search for wisdom, / but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, / but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Hebrews 3:7-10
Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear His voice, / do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness, / where your fathers tested and tried Me, and for forty years saw My works. ...


Treasury of Scripture

They are like to children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped to you, and you have not danced; we have mourned to you, and you have not wept.

are.

Proverbs 17:16
Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?

Isaiah 28:9-13
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…

Isaiah 29:11,12
And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: …

See on

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, …

children.

Zechariah 8:5
And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof.

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Children Compare Cries Cry Crying Dance Danced Dirge Flute Generation Market Marketplace Market-Place Mourned Music Part Piped Played Present Resemble Sad Sang Seated Sit Sitting Sorrow Weep Wept
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Children Compare Cries Cry Crying Dance Danced Dirge Flute Generation Market Marketplace Market-Place Mourned Music Part Piped Played Present Resemble Sad Sang Seated Sit Sitting Sorrow Weep Wept
Luke 7
1. Jesus finds a greater faith in the centurion;
10. heals his servant, being absent;
11. raises from death the widow's son at Nain;
18. answers John's messengers with the declaration of his miracles;
24. testifies to the people what opinion he held of John;
31. compares this generation to the children in the marketplaces,
36. and allowing his feet to be washed and anointed by a woman who was a sinner,
44. he shows how he is a friend to sinners, to forgive them their sins, upon their repentance.














They are like children
In this phrase, Jesus begins a parable to describe the generation's response to both John the Baptist and Himself. The Greek word for "children" here is "παιδίοις" (paidiois), which refers to young children, often emphasizing their immaturity and lack of understanding. In the cultural context of the time, children were seen as those who needed guidance and instruction, highlighting the spiritual immaturity of the people who failed to recognize the significance of John's and Jesus' ministries.

sitting in the marketplace
The "marketplace" or "ἀγορά" (agora) was the central public space in ancient towns where people gathered for various activities, including commerce, socializing, and public discourse. This setting is significant as it represents a place of public interaction and decision-making. Jesus uses this imagery to illustrate how the people, despite being in a place where they could hear and respond to the message, remain indifferent and unresponsive.

calling out to one another
The phrase "calling out" comes from the Greek "προσφωνοῦντα" (prosphonounta), which means to address or speak to someone. This action of calling out signifies an attempt to communicate or engage with others. In the context of the parable, it reflects the efforts of both John and Jesus to reach out to the people with their messages of repentance and salvation.

‘We played the flute for you
The act of playing the flute, "αὐλέω" (auleo), is symbolic of a joyful or celebratory invitation. In ancient Jewish culture, music was often associated with weddings and celebrations. Here, it represents the joyful message of the kingdom of God that Jesus brought. However, the people's lack of response to this joyous call highlights their spiritual deafness and unwillingness to embrace the good news.

and you did not dance
"Dance" or "ὀρχέομαι" (orcheomai) signifies a response to music, typically one of joy and celebration. The absence of dancing indicates a refusal to participate or engage with the message being offered. This lack of response to Jesus' message of joy and salvation underscores the people's stubbornness and resistance to change.

we sang a dirge
A "dirge" or "θρηνέω" (threneo) is a lament or mournful song, often associated with funerals. This contrasts with the previous joyful imagery and represents the somber message of repentance and judgment that John the Baptist preached. The use of both joyful and mournful imagery in the parable highlights the comprehensive nature of God's message, which includes both celebration and repentance.

and you did not weep.’
To "weep" or "κλαίω" (klaio) is to express sorrow or repentance. The failure to weep in response to the dirge signifies a lack of contrition or acknowledgment of sin. This reflects the people's hard-heartedness and unwillingness to repent despite the clear call to do so through John's ministry. The overall message of the verse is a critique of the generation's spiritual apathy and their failure to respond appropriately to God's diverse and persistent calls to them.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
They are
εἰσιν (eisin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

like
ὅμοιοί (homoioi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3664: Like, similar to, resembling, of equal rank. From the base of homou; similar.

children
παιδίοις (paidiois)
Noun - Dative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3813: Neuter diminutive of pais; a childling, i.e., an infant, or a half-grown boy or girl; figuratively, an immature Christian.

sitting
καθημένοις (kathēmenois)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Dative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2521: To sit, be seated, enthroned; I dwell, reside. From kata; and hemai; to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

[the] marketplace
ἀγορᾷ (agora)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 58: From ageiro; properly, the town-square; by implication, a market or thoroughfare.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

calling out
προσφωνοῦσιν (prosphōnousin)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Dative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4377: From pros and phoneo; to sound towards, i.e. Address, exclaim, summon.

to one another:
ἀλλήλοις (allēlois)
Personal / Reciprocal Pronoun - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 240: One another, each other. Genitive plural from allos reduplicated; one another.

‘We played the flute
Ηὐλήσαμεν (Ēulēsamen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 832: To play the flute, pipe. From aulos; to play the flute.

for you,
ὑμῖν (hymin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

you did not dance;
ὠρχήσασθε (ōrchēsasthe)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 3738: To dance. Middle voice from orchos; to dance.

we sang a dirge,
Ἐθρηνήσαμεν (Ethrēnēsamen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 2354: Intrans: I lament, wail; trans: I bewail. From threnos; to bewail.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

you did not weep.’
ἐκλαύσατε (eklausate)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2799: To weep, weep for, mourn, lament. Of uncertain affinity; to sob, i.e. Wail aloud.


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NT Gospels: Luke 7:32 They are like children who sit (Luke Lu Lk)
Luke 7:31
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