Matthew 11 17

Matthew 11:17 kjv

And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.

Matthew 11:17 nkjv

and saying: 'We played the flute for you, And you did not dance; We mourned to you, And you did not lament.'

Matthew 11:17 niv

"?'We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.'

Matthew 11:17 esv

"'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.'

Matthew 11:17 nlt

'We played wedding songs,
and you didn't dance,
so we played funeral songs,
and you didn't mourn.'

Matthew 11 verses

Matthew 11 17 Meaning

This verse describes a petulant, inconsistent generation that cannot be pleased. It is part of an analogy comparing this generation to children playing a game in the marketplace. Jesus highlights their stubborn refusal to respond appropriately to two contrasting divine messages: the ascetic call to repentance personified by John the Baptist, and the joyful proclamation of the Kingdom by Jesus Himself. Regardless of the messenger's approach, they found fault, demonstrating a profound spiritual unresponsiveness and an unwillingness to enter God's Kingdom.

Matthew 11 17 Context

Matthew 11 unfolds with John the Baptist, imprisoned, sending his disciples to inquire if Jesus is truly "the one who is to come" (Matt 11:3). Jesus confirms His identity through His miraculous works and then pronounces a strong affirmation of John, declaring him the messenger preparing the way. Following this, Jesus addresses "this generation" (Matt 11:16), setting the stage for the analogy of the children in the marketplace. Matthew 11:17 directly relates to this comparison, illustrating the generation's fickle and self-righteous judgment, first of John the Baptist's austere ministry, then of Jesus' more accessible, joyful ministry. This sets the immediate context for Jesus' subsequent woes against the unrepentant cities (Matt 11:20-24).

Matthew 11 17 Word analysis

• and say (καὶ λέγουσιν - kai legousin): The present tense highlights the ongoing or characteristic complaint of these "children," representing the persistent unresponsiveness of the generation. It portrays a typical, continuous lament.
• ‘We played the flute (ἠυλήσαμεν - ēulēsamen): From the Greek auleō, meaning "to play the flute or a pipe." Flute music was commonly associated with joyful occasions, feasts, weddings, and celebrations. This action represents Jesus' ministry, which included feasting, interacting with sinners, proclaiming good news, and demonstrating the arrival of the Kingdom of God—a time of joy.
• for you (ὑμῖν - hymin): The dative case emphasizes that the action was performed specifically for their benefit or toward them, underscoring their deliberate non-response despite the efforts.
• and you did not dance (καὶ οὐκ ὠρχήσασθε - kai ouk ōrchēsasthe): From orcheomai, "to dance," signifying an appropriate and joyful response to festive music. This reflects the generation's failure to embrace the spiritual joy, liberation, and new life offered through Jesus' presence and teachings. Their hearts remained untouched by the celebratory good news.
• we wailed (ἐθρηνήσαμεν - ethrēnēsamen): From thrēneō, "to lament, to mourn, to wail aloud." This type of lamentation was typically associated with funerals, times of great sorrow, or repentance. This represents John the Baptist's ministry, which focused on a message of radical repentance, calling for mourning over sin and sorrow for their spiritual state (e.g., Matt 3:2, 8).
• for you (ὑμῖν - hymin): Again, emphasizing the direct offering of this form of ministry to them.
• and you did not mourn (καὶ οὐκ ἐκόψασθε - kai ouk ekopsasthe): From koptomai, meaning "to strike or beat oneself (especially the breast) in grief," hence to lament loudly or express deep sorrow. This signifies the generation's refusal to exhibit true sorrow for their sins, acknowledging their need for repentance, or responding to the solemn warnings of judgment.

• "We played the flute for you, and you did not dance": This phrase depicts the refusal to engage with the joyous, grace-filled aspect of God's invitation. It speaks to a heart that is unwilling to celebrate or find joy in spiritual truth when it presents itself in an appealing form.
• "we wailed for you, and you did not mourn": This phrase highlights the refusal to acknowledge sin, feel conviction, or express sorrow in response to a call for repentance and moral awakening. It shows a stubborn resistance to the somber, disciplinary aspect of divine truth.
• The pairing of the two contrasting actions and responses illustrates a profound spiritual apathy and selective rejection. The issue is not the specific method of God's outreach, but the entrenched unwillingness of "this generation" to respond appropriately to any divine leading or truth, indicating a spiritually dead and unyielding heart.

Matthew 11 17 Bonus section

This children's parable underscores the severe irony of a generation that could readily observe and understand human behavior yet failed utterly to interpret divine actions. Their critique stemmed from a deep-seated spiritual pride and an inherent unwillingness to change, which rendered them impervious to both warning and invitation. This inability to respond contrasts sharply with the "wise" and "discerning" who embrace these truths (Matt 11:19, 25-27). The analogy effectively demonstrates the illogical and contradictory nature of their unbelief, emphasizing that their rejection was based on predetermined opposition rather than rational assessment of John or Jesus.

Matthew 11 17 Commentary

Matthew 11:17 is a stark indictment of the spiritual recalcitrance of "this generation." Using the parable of capricious children, Jesus illustrates the obstinacy of those who reject God's messengers regardless of their approach. They could not be pleased by John the Baptist's ascetic message calling for repentance and sorrow over sin (the wailing that produced no mourning), nor by Jesus' ministry of joy, inclusion, and the Kingdom's good news (the flute playing that produced no dancing). The criticism was not against the messages themselves but against the messengers. John was accused of having a demon due to his austere lifestyle, while Jesus was maligned as a glutton and a drunkard due to His openness and feasting. This reveals a hardened heart that predetermines rejection, finding excuses to justify its unwillingness to submit to God's will. It’s a tragic picture of those so set in their ways that they cannot perceive divine truth or respond to it, regardless of the form in which it is presented. This spiritual blindness underscores the need for genuine humility and a receptive heart.