Matthew 11:16,17 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

But whereunto shall I liken, &c.— For the better understanding of our Saviour in this place, see Luke 7:29-35. To shew the Pharisees more plainly the perverseness of their disposition, our Saviour told them they were like children at play, who never do what their companions desire them; peevish and froward, and displeased with every thing. The phrase it is like,in St. Matthew's style, often signifies only, in general, that the thing spoken of may be illustrated by the following similitude. Compare ch. Matthew 13:24; Matthew 13:45 Matthew 18:23 Matthew 20:1 Matthew 22:2. In Judaea, when the people were grown very luxurious and wanton, it was usual, at feasts, to have music of an airy kind, accompanied with dancing; and at funerals they had melancholy airs, to which were joined the lamentations of persons hired for the purpose. See ch. Matthew 9:23. The children therefore of that country, imitating these things in their diversions, while one band of them performed the musical part, if the other happened to be froward, and would not answer or lament as the game directed, it naturally gave occasion to the complaint, we have piped unto you, and ye have not danced, &c. which at length was turned into a proverb; and we find it frequently quoted both in Jewish and heathen writers. The mourning airs here spoken of are used to represent the severity of the Baptist's manners, and the mournful doctrine of mortification and repentance which he preached: on the other hand, the cheerful airs are intended to represent our Lord's sweet disposition, affable condescension, and engaging method of giving instruction; so that everything was tried which could possibly have influence, to bring the Jews to repentance. See Grotius and Wetstein.