The Master chose the moment of John's fainting fit to pass this high eulogium on the Baptist's stalwart character, his indifference to worldly bribes and his divine commission. When we write hard things against ourselves, He may be judging us with infinite tenderness and wisdom. Heaven does not estimate us by our passing moods. But the least believer in this Christian age has a clearer knowledge of Christ and a closer relationship to Him, than had the Baptist. He was a servant; we are brothers, sons, heirs, Romans 8:16-17.
If we will not accept the lower call of duty, as was manifested in the appeal of the Baptist, we shall never profit by Christ. Accept the dim light of the morning star and it will lead to the dawn.
It ill becomes us to observe the winds of human caprice. If we please one party, we shall displease the other. There is but one path through life, and that is to do the will of God, in which, as Dante puts it, is our peace. But the children of wisdom recognize her alike in the anxiety of the Baptist and in the graces of the Son of man. [source]
Chapter Summary: Luke 7
1Jesus finds a greater faith in the centurion; 10heals his servant, being absent; 11raises from death the widow's son at Nain; 18answers John's messengers with the declaration of his miracles; 24testifies to the people what opinion he held of John; 31compares this generation to the children in the marketplaces, 36and allowing his feet to be washed and anointed by a woman who was a sinner, 44he shows how he is a friend to sinners, to forgive them their sins, upon their repentance
Greek Commentary for Luke 7:31
And to what are they like? [και τινι εισιν ομοιοι] This second question is not in Matthew 11:16. It sharpens the point. The case of τινι tini is associative instrumental after ομοιοι homoioi See note on details in Matthew 11:17. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Luke 7:31
Matthew 11:17Children sitting in the market places [παιδιοις κατημενοις εν ταις αγοραις] This parable of the children playing in the market place is given also in Luke 7:31. Had Jesus as a child in Nazareth not played games with the children? He had certainly watched them often since. The interest of Christ in children was keen. He has really created the modern child‘s world out of the indifference of the past. They would not play wedding or funeral in a peevish fret. These metaphors in the Gospels are vivid to those with eyes to see. The αγορα agora was originally the assembly, then the forum or public square where the people gathered for trade or for talk as in Athens (Acts 17:17) and in many modern towns. So the Roman Forum. The oriental bazaars today are held in streets rather than public squares. Even today with all the automobiles children play in the streets. In English the word “cheap” (Cheapside) meant only barter and price, not cheap in our sense. The word for mourn (εκοπσαστε ekopsasthe) means to beat the heart, direct middle, after the fashion of eastern funeral lamentations. [source]
What do the individual words in Luke 7:31 mean?
To whatthereforewill I likenthemenof thegenerationthisAndare theylike
Greek Commentary for Luke 7:31
This second question is not in Matthew 11:16. It sharpens the point. The case of τινι tini is associative instrumental after ομοιοι homoioi See note on details in Matthew 11:17. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Luke 7:31
This parable of the children playing in the market place is given also in Luke 7:31. Had Jesus as a child in Nazareth not played games with the children? He had certainly watched them often since. The interest of Christ in children was keen. He has really created the modern child‘s world out of the indifference of the past. They would not play wedding or funeral in a peevish fret. These metaphors in the Gospels are vivid to those with eyes to see. The αγορα agora was originally the assembly, then the forum or public square where the people gathered for trade or for talk as in Athens (Acts 17:17) and in many modern towns. So the Roman Forum. The oriental bazaars today are held in streets rather than public squares. Even today with all the automobiles children play in the streets. In English the word “cheap” (Cheapside) meant only barter and price, not cheap in our sense. The word for mourn (εκοπσαστε ekopsasthe) means to beat the heart, direct middle, after the fashion of eastern funeral lamentations. [source]