Matthew 11:17

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 11:16-24

Christ was going on in the praise of John the Baptist and his ministry, but here stops on a sudden, and turns that to the reproach of those who enjoyed both that, and the ministry of Christ and his apostles too, in vain. As to that generation, we may observe to whom he compares them (Matt. 11:16-19), and as to the particular places he instances in, we may observe with whom he compares them, Matt. 11:20-24. I. As to that generation, the body of the Jewish people at that time. There were many... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 11:1-30

Matthew 11:1-30 is a chapter in which Jesus is speaking all the time; and, as he speaks to different people and about different things, we hear the accent of his voice vary and change. It will be of the greatest interest to look one by one at the six accents in the voice of Jesus. The Accent Of Confidence ( Matthew 11:1-6 ) 11:1-6 And when Jesus had completed his instructions to the twelve disciples, he left there to go on teaching and to go on making his proclamation in their... read more

John Gill

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 11:17

We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced - We have begun the music, which should have been followed by the dance, but ye have not attended to it. We have mourned - and ye have not lamented - Ye have not smote the breast: ουκ εκοψασθε , from κοπτομαι , to strike, or beat the breasts with the hands, particularly in lamentation. So used, Nahum 2:7 ; Luke 18:13 ; Luke 23:48 , and by the best Greek and Roman writers. There is an allusion here to those funeral lamentations... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 11:2-24

JESUS THE ONE THAT SHOULD COME . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 11:2-35

The forearming against a foreseen unbelief. Note in introduction that St. Luke's placing of this narrative is the preferable one. it was during the period of absence of the twelve, after they had been "commanded," that John was beheaded. The entire current of tiffs chapter, that seems so exceptional in its character in some respects, is blown upon and troubled, as it were, by that presence, an ever-disturbing one, the phenomenal one, of unbelief. Notice— I. A PROPHET 'S FORESEEING ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 11:7-19

The Lord's testimony to John the Baptist. I. HIS CHARACTER . 1 . He was no reed shaken by the wind. The multitudes who had now heard John's message and the Lord's answer had once gone into the wilderness to see the Baptist, drawn thither by the powerful attraction of his preaching and character. What had they found there? Were they disappointed? Was he unlike the report which they had heard of him? Was he weak, vacillating, wavering hither and thither like the reeds that grew on... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 11:7-19

John and Jesus: children in the market-place. After dismissing the messengers of John, there appeared to our Lord urgent need of indicating with precision the merits and defects of the Baptist's work, so that the people might understand hew it was the Baptist was disappointed in the Messiah he had so enthusiastically heralded, and what were the relations mutually held by the Baptist, the Messiah, and the people. In doing so our Lord touches on— I. THE GREATNESS OF JOHN AND HIS... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 11:16-17

But . In contrast to the obedience asked for in Matthew 11:15 , this generation closes its ears. Whereunto shall I liken . A common rabbinic phrase, which is often found in the fuller form recorded in Luke, "Whereunto shall I liken … and to what are they like?" (see Matthew 7:24 , note). This generation?. It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 11:16-19

Yet both John and he himself are rejected , though the results of their efforts were such as to fully justify the apparent difference of their methods. Parallel passage. Luke 7:31-35 . read more

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