John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 11:17
And saying, we have piped unto you, and ye have not danced ,.... The allusion is to Jewish children, who having seen their parents and friends at their festivals and weddings, some play upon the pipe, and others dance to them, mimicked the same in their diversions; and also having observed, at funerals, the mourning women, making their doleful ditties, and others answering to them, acted the part of these persons, expecting their fellows would make their responses, but did not: hence the... read more
John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 11:16
But whereunto shall I liken this generation ? The men of that age, the stubborn and perverse Jews; who were pleased with nothing, with no man's ministry, neither with John's, nor with Christ's, but found fault with whatever they heard, or saw done: it is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling to their fellows : that is, the case of such persons may be fitly represented by children in a public market, calling to their companions, to pipe or mourn with them, and who are so... read more