Jesus in confronted by the Pharisees after talking about John.
Luke 7:31 Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?
Luke 7:31 To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like?
To whom therefore will I liken the people of this type here? And to whom are they like?
The Greek word translated as "whereunto/to what" in the first part is inconsistently translated as "to what/what" in the later part. The first "liken/compare" is a future tense verb, and the "like" later is the same root but in the form of an adjective. While it can be translated as "compare," there is no adjective that means "compared" only the adjective form of the verb, which the NIV doesn't use. The Greek word translated as "then" also emphasizes the truth of something ("certainly", "really") as well as simply continuing an existing narrative.
The word translated as "generation" is more interesting, while it can meet "generation," primarily means "type." Jesus always uses it to refer to the Pharisees, always. See this article. Jesus clarifies this by adding a word meaning "here" after this word, but the Bible always translates it as "this."
Jesus separated people, not by race or generation, but by different types.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the same Greek word translated better as "to what" in the verse.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "generation" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "can" should be something more like "will."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "generation" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the same Greek word translated better as "compare" in the verse.
Whereunto -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "whereunto" in the singular means "anyone," "someone," "something," and "anything." The same forms are used both for the masculine or feminine so "anyone" works best for a person. In the plural, it means "everyone," "some," "they," and "those." Jesus often uses it to start a question so it means "who," "what," or even "why." This translation is inconsistent in this verse, translated as "to what" elsewhere here.
then -- The Greek word translated as "then" either emphasizes the truth of something ("certainly," "really") or it simply continues an existing narrative, "then," "therefore." Jesus uses it to respond positively to questions, but in parables, it can continue the story.
shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates that the verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
I - This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
liken -- The verb translated as "liken" is a verb that means "to make like" and, in the passive, "to become like."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun. Without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." Before an adjective or a particle, it changes the following word to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
men -- The Greek word for "man" means "man," "person" and "humanity" in the singular. In the plural, it means "men," "people," and "peoples."
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
this -- The "this" is a pronoun that can mean "this" or "that," "here," or "there" the nearer or the further depending on usage. It follows the noun so it repeats the idea of the noun as "this one." It is often used in the neuter plural to refer to "these things."
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." Before an adjective or a particle, it changes the following word to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
generation? -- The word translated as "generation" means "race," "family," and "generation." The sense is a "type" or a "specimen" of a particular type. Jesus uses it to refer to a type of person, specifically those like the Pharisees. See this article.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
to -- This word "to" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.
what -- The Greek word translated as "what" in the singular means "anyone," "someone," "something," and "anything." The same forms are used both for the masculine or feminine so
are -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions.
they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.
like? -- The word translated as "like" is an adjective that means "like," "resembling," and "matching."
To -- This word "to" comes from the indirect object form of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.
what-- The Greek word translated as "whereunto" in the singular means "anyone," "someone," "something," and "anything." The same forms are used both for the masculine or feminine so "anyone" works best for a person. In the plural, it means "everyone," "some," "they," and "those." Jesus often uses it to start a question so it means "who," "what," or even "why."
then -- The Greek word translated as "then" either emphasizes the truth of something ("certainly," "really") or it simply continues an existing narrative, "then," "therefore." Jesus uses it to respond positively to questions, but in parables, it can continue the story.
can -- (WW) This helping verb "can" indicates that the verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
I - This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
compare -- The verb translated as "compare " is a verb that means "to make like" and, in the passive, "to become like."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun. Without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." Before an adjective or a particle, it changes the following word to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
people -- The Greek word for "man" means "man," "person" and "humanity" in the singular. In the plural, it means "men," "people," and "peoples."
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
this -- The "this" is a pronoun that can mean "this" or "that," "here," or "there" the nearer or the further depending on usage. It follows the noun so it repeats the idea of the noun as "this one." It is often used in the neuter plural to refer to "these things."
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." Before an adjective or a particle, it changes the following word to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
generation? -- The word translated as "generation" means "race," "family," and "generation." The sense is a "type" or a "specimen" of a particular type. Jesus uses it to refer to a type of person, specifically those like the Pharisees. Jesus uses it to refer to a type of person, specifically those like the Pharisees. See this article.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
to -- This word "to" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.
what -- The Greek word translated as "what" in the singular means "anyone," "someone," "something," and "anything." The same forms are used both for the masculine or feminine so
are -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions.
they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.
like? -- (CW) The word translated as "like" is an adjective that means "like," "resembling," and "matching." This translation is inconsistent in this verse, translated as "compare" elsewhere here.
Τίνι [252 verses](irreg sg dat) "Whereunto" is tis, which can mean "someone," "something," "any one," "everyone," "they [indefinite]," "many a one," "whoever," "anyone," "anything," "some sort," "some sort of," "each," "any," "the individual," "such," and so on. In a question, it can mean "who," "why," or "what." Plural, "who are" is τίνες ἐόντες. It has specific meanings with certain prepositions, διὰ τί; for what reason? ἐκ τίνος; from what cause? ἐς τί; to what point? to what end?
οὖν [82 verses](adv) "Then" is oun, which means "certainly," "in fact," "really," "in fact," "so" and "then" (continuing a narrative), and "then" and "therefore."
ὁμοιώσω [12 verses](1st sg fut ind act) "Shall I liken" is homoioo, which means "to make like," "to become like," "to liken," and "to compare.
τοὺς [821 verses](article pl masc acc) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). When not preceding a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." Proper nouns do normally not take articles but they are needed when the noun ending cannot be changed to show the noun's role in the sentence as an object, indirect object, or genitive (possessive) form. However, the Greek article is very close to "this" so the purpose of an article like this can also be demonstrative. See this article.
ἀνθρώπους [209 verses](noun pl masc acc) "Men" is anthropos, which is "man," and, in plural, "mankind." It also means "humanity" and that which is human and opposed to that which is animal or inanimate.
τῆς [821 verses](article sg fem gen) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). When not preceding a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." Proper nouns do normally not take articles but they are needed when the noun ending cannot be changed to show the noun's role in the sentence as an object, indirect object, or genitive (possessive) form. However, the Greek article is very close to "this" so the purpose of an article like this can also be demonstrative. See this article. -
γενεᾶς [19 verses](noun sg fem gen) "Generation" is genea, which means "race," "family," "generation," "class," and "kind." It is a form of the word from which we get the scientific word,"genus."
ταύτης, [96 verses](adj sg fem gen) "This" is tauta, which is a referring pronoun meaning "these," "this," "that," and "here." It can mean the nearer or the further depending on usage.
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
τίνι [252 verses](irreg sg dat) "To what" is tis, which can mean "someone," "something," "any one," "everyone," "they [indefinite]," "many a one," "whoever," "anyone," "anything," "some sort," "some sort of," "each," "any," "the individual," "such," and so on. In a question, it can mean "who," "why," or "what." Plural, "who are" is τίνες ἐόντες. It has specific meanings with certain prepositions, διὰ τί; for what reason? ἐκ τίνος; from what cause? ἐς τί; to what point? to what end? "anyone" works best for a person. In the plural, it means "everyone," "some," "they," and "those." Jesus often uses it to start a question so it means "who," "what," or even "why."
εἰσὶν [614 verses](verb 3rd pl pres ind) "Are" is eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," of circumstance and events "to happen," and "is possible." With the possessive (genitive) object, it means "is descended from," "is the type of," "belongs to," "is made of," "is a duty of," "is at the mercy of," or " is dependent on." With an indirect (dative) object, it means "have" where the subject and object are reversed. "It is to him" becomes "it is his" or "he has it." With the preposition,"into" (εἰς), the sense is "consist of." When the verb "to be" appears early in the clause before the subject, the sense is more like "it is" or, in the plural, "there are."
ὅμοιοι; [29 verses](adj pl masc nom) "Like" is homoios, which means "like," "resembling," "the same," "equal in force, "a match for one," "suiting," "of the same rank," "alike," "in like manner," and "equally."
This verse is only the first part of the Matthew 11:16.