17 And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.
17 " 'We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.'
17 "'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.'
17 'We wanted to skip rope, and you were always too tired; we wanted to talk, but you were always too busy.'
17 and saying: 'We played the flute for you, And you did not dance; We mourned to you, And you did not lament.'
17 'We played wedding songs, and you didn't dance, so we played funeral songs, and you didn't mourn.'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 11:17
Commentary on Matthew 11:16-24
(Read Matthew 11:16-24)
Christ reflects on the scribes and Pharisees, who had a proud conceit of themselves. He likens their behaviour to children's play, who being out of temper without reason, quarrel with all the attempts of their fellows to please them, or to get them to join in the plays for which they used to assemble. The cavils of worldly men are often very trifling and show great malice. Something they have to urge against every one, however excellent and holy. Christ, who was undefiled, and separate from sinners, is here represented as in league with them, and polluted by them. The most unspotted innocence will not always be a defence against reproach. Christ knew that the hearts of the Jews were more bitter and hardened against his miracles and doctrines, than those of Tyre and Sidon would have been; therefore their condemnation would be the greater. The Lord exercises his almighty power, yet he punishes none more than they deserve, and never withholds the knowledge of the truth from those who long after it.