Devine Scripture

Matthew 11:17

What does Matthew 11:17 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 11:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 11:17 means

The analogy continues with the children complaining, "We piped unto you, and ye did not dance; we wailed, and ye did not mourn." This vividly portrays the generation's inconsistent and demanding attitude. They were unwilling to participate in either joyful celebration or sorrowful repentance, demonstrating a refusal to engage with the spiritual calls presented to them. This fickleness shows a deep-seated resistance to both the call to rejoicing and the call to repentance, illustrating their overall spiritual apathy.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and say, We piped unto you, and ye did not dance; we wailed, and ye did not mourn.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and say, We piped unto you, and ye did not dance; we wailed, and ye did not mourn.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

We made music for you and you did not take part in the dance; we gave cries of sorrow and you made no signs of grief.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and saying, We piped unto you, and ye did not dance, we lamented to you, and ye did not smite the breast.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Who crying to their companions say: We have piped to you, and you have not danced: we have lamented, and you have not mourned.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

say, We have piped to you, and ye have not danced: we have mourned to you, and ye have not wailed.

Context

This verse provides the specific dialogue of the children's game from the previous verse, elaborating on the analogy of a fickle generation. It concretely illustrates their unresponsiveness to both joyful and mournful calls. This direct application of the metaphor explains *how* the generation refused to engage, directly leading into the examples of John and Jesus' ministries that follow.

v.16But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the marketplaces, who call unto their fellows

v.17This passage

v.18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a demon.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Kings 1:40

    And all the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth rent with the sound of them.

  • Jeremiah 9:17

    Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, Consider ye, and call for the mourning women, that they may come; and send for the skilful women, that they may come:

  • Luke 15:25

    Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing.

  • Isaiah 30:29

    Ye shall have a song as in the night when a holy feast is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one goeth with a pipe to come unto the mountain of Jehovah, to the Rock of Israel.

  • Matthew 9:23

    And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute-players, and the crowd making a tumult,

  • Jeremiah 31:4

    Again will I build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel: again shalt thou be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry.

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