Luke 7:31 (KJV)

What does Luke 7:31 mean?

Luke 7:31 shows Jesus asking what kind of comparison He can make about the people of His generation, inviting His listeners to consider what they are truly like. Jesus is preparing to describe their attitudes and responses in a way that will help people see themselves more clearly.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to a crowd, including religious leaders and ordinary people, after discussing how both John the Baptist and Himself have been received. The question sets up a comparison or illustration, which Jesus will give in the next verses, to highlight how the people have responded to God’s messengers. The verse signals that Jesus is about to make a point about the character and behavior of those listening to Him.

The Greek behind Luke 7:31

• "γενεά" (genea, G1074) means "generation" and here refers to the people living at that time, not just by age but by shared attitudes or mindset. Jesus is speaking broadly about the character of His contemporaries.
• "ὁμοιόω" (homoioō, G3666) is translated "liken" or "compare," and it carries the sense of making a meaningful analogy. Jesus is not just making a casual comparison but is about to offer a pointed illustration.
• "ἄνθρωποι" (anthrōpoi, G444) means "men" or "people," emphasizing that Jesus is talking about humanity in general, not just a specific group.

Why Luke 7:31 matters

• Luke 7:31 introduces a teaching moment where Jesus challenges His audience to reflect on their own attitudes, rather than just listening passively.
• The verse sets up the contrast between how people responded to John the Baptist and to Jesus, which is a key theme in the surrounding passage.
• Understanding this verse helps readers see that Jesus often used questions and comparisons to prompt self-examination and honest reflection among His listeners.