Matthew 11:17Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The significance of these statements can be understood in this manner: John and I approached our missions from divergent paths, resembling hunters who, in attempting to ensnare a creature that evades capture from opposite fronts, face each other while seeking to steer the escapee toward one of them. Observe how the entire human race is filled with wonder at this extraordinary fast and the rigorous lifestyle dedicated to profound wisdom. Thus, it is no coincidence that John was raised from childhood in such a strict manner, making his message worthy of belief. You may wonder why Jesus did not adopt the same path. In truth, He did traverse a similar route; He fasted for forty days, journeyed through various regions to teach, and had no place to rest His head.

It reflects the rebellious nature of the Jews: they, being disobedient, neither appreciated the rigor of John nor the humility of Christ, resembling fickle children who are difficult to satisfy; whether they hear a lament or a joyous tune, it fails to please them.

The aspirations of the children who dance differ from those who lament through song, as both criticize their peers for their lack of agreement. The Jewish people experienced a similar plight, as they neither embraced John's harshness nor Christ's compassion and, consequently, did not gain any advantage. John, in his role as a servant, aimed to subdue the desires of the flesh through rigorous asceticism, while Christ, as the Savior, sought to conquer the inclinations of the flesh and its inherent deathly law by divine authority, requiring no such ascetic endeavors. John, heralding the baptism of repentance (Mk. 1:4; Lk. 3:3), served as a guide for those who mourn, whereas the Lord, announcing the good news of the kingdom of heaven (cf. Matt. 4:23; Matt. 9:35; Matt. 24:14; Mk.

Since the Jewish people were unwilling to listen, they not only voiced their resistance but also shouted loudly, “We sang to you, yet you did not show joy in your actions.” In other words, they encouraged others to perform righteous deeds in response to their song and to rejoice at their call, much like David danced before the ark of the Lord (2 Samuel 6). However, there was no willingness on their part. They cried out, beseeching a change of heart, but their refusal to repent demonstrated their disdain for both messages: the encouragement to live virtuously and the appeal to turn away from sin.

And their companions address the children, "Mourn for yourselves, and refrain from dancing: weep for yourselves, and do not weep." The meaning of these words is this: we have not presented you with a challenging path to follow, yet you remain unfulfilled; we have offered a difficult journey, yet you are still discontent. Engaging in joyful dancing (playing the flute) comes easily, while expressing sorrow (singing dirges) is a struggle. Furthermore, the one who dances finds joy when the flute is played, while the one who mourns, that is, laments, finds solace when sorrowful songs are sung.

The Lord observes that those who ignore the Gospel are comparable to individuals for whom cheerful songs are sung, yet they do not dance; when sorrowful melodies are played, they do not mourn; they remain unaffected. While the promise of the Kingdom of Heaven shines bright and filled with joy, we remain stagnant, as if untouched by the message. They warn us of unending judgment and relentless torment, yet we are untroubled, as though we do not hear the warnings. Our spirits are heavy, and we seem to have abandoned all instinct for true self-preservation. We are guided towards destruction, apathetic about our destiny. We have relinquished our agency and surrendered to hopelessness: whatever will be, will be! This accurately describes our plight.

The ordinary folk, whom the Pharisees deemed unlearned in the Scriptures, and the tax collectors, whom they held in disdain comparable to that for Gentiles, praised God for sending the esteemed prophet John, who proclaimed the arrival of Christ the Redeemer and affirmed their faith by receiving his baptism. However, the scribes and Pharisees dismissed John's message, refusing baptism, thereby turning away from God's purpose for their redemption. In a painful expression of frustration over the obstinacy of His contemporaries, the Jewish people, the Lord lamented: ‘BUT TO WHOM SHALL I LIKEN THIS GENERATION? What a peculiar group they are!

And what a peculiar generation they are! To what can I liken them? They resemble those rebellious children who, when with their peers, find little joy in any song, whether it be cheerful or sorrowful. The Pharisees chose not to approach John; instead, they labeled him as possessed, using his ascetic lifestyle as evidence. Likewise, they did not seek the Son of Man, accusing Him of gluttony and drunkenness and branding Him as a companion of tax collectors and sinners. However, the children of wisdom, the Saviour added, validated the wisdom of God through their actions. They embraced both John’s rigorous call to repentance and the Son of Man’s generous offer of reconciliation with God.

In addressing the current generation for their lack of faith, Christ likens them to children who grumble about their friends not joining in their games. While the others remain composed, these children take up the whistle and bemoan that their friends refuse to dance. However, when the friends start to enjoy themselves, the discontented children resort to playing mournful tunes, again expressing dissatisfaction with their companions for not weeping.

After stating that the Pharisees and scribes have turned away from God's purpose by refusing baptism from John, Jesus poses the question, “To what shall I compare this generation?” He likens them to fickle and rebellious children who cannot be satisfied by their peers. Just as those children, attempting to emulate their elders, play music in hopes of inspiring dance, they find no one willing to join in. When they sing sorrowful tunes, they expect tears, yet none are shed. The musicians, frustrated, express their discontent to their companions, saying, “We played the music for you, and you did not dance; we sang lamentations, and you did not weep.” Such wayward and obstinate children are akin to the Pharisees, the scribes, and their fellow adherents.

"Playing the flute": it has traditionally been observed that during festivals or significant events, dances were performed accompanied by the sound of flutes and other musical instruments (cf. Matt. 25:1-12). Like children throughout the ages, the youth of that period mirrored the actions of adults, engaging in play that reflected the behaviors of their elders. - "Sang mourning songs": as previously noted (see Matthew 9:23), funerals were marked by expressions of grief and often accompanied by music; it is likely that the realm of children's play included mimicry of such lamentations as well. The children seem dissatisfied and express their grievances towards their peers, feeling excluded from the games, and they scold and taunt them.

While John was proclaiming his message, the crowds, including even the despised tax collectors, turned back to God, repenting of their sins and receiving baptism from him. In contrast, the Pharisees and the legal experts, confident in their own imagined righteousness, rejected God's intentions for themselves and chose not to be baptized by him (Luke 7:29-30). These obstinate individuals also disregarded the message of Jesus Christ. To illustrate their lack of faith and rebellious nature, He drew an analogy from daily life: they are 'foolish and wayward children, who cannot be pleased, even if you cry to them, or play the whistle' (Blessed Theophylact). To whom shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to their companions, saying, 'Weep for you and do not dance, weep for you and do not sob.'