SEV Biblia, Chapter 11:17
Y dicen: Os taimos flauta, y no bailasteis; os endechamos, y no lamentasteis.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Matthew 11:17
Verse 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: ouk ekoyasqe, from koptomai, to strike, or beat the breasts with the hands, particularly in lamentation. So used, Nahum ii. 7; Luke xviii. 13; xxiii. 48, and by the best Greek and Roman writers. There is an allusion here to those funeral lamentations explained chap. ix. 23.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 17. And saying, we have piped unto you, and ye have not danced , etc.] 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 complaint, we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented . The different characters of John and Christ, are here set forth, by piping and mourning. The character and ministry of Christ and his disciples, by piping; by which is meant, the clear, comfortable, and joyful ministry of the Gospel; which is delightful music to a sensible sinner; and may be compared to it, for distinction of sounds, harmony, and agreement, being charming and delightful; its notes are all grace, mercy, love, liberty, peace, pardon, righteousness, and free salvation; and it is very powerful and engaging, it quickens and animates, attracts, allures and charms. The character and ministry of John, is signified by mourning: his life was a very austere one; he and his disciples fasted oft; he appeared in a very coarse habit; his speech was rough, his voice thundering: his doctrine was the doctrine of repentance, and he used very severe threatenings, in case of impenitence: on the other hand, by the fellows to whom they piped, or ministered, in their different ministrations, are meant, the Scribes and Pharisees; who were neither affected to, nor with, either of them: as for John, he was too austere for them; they did not like his garb, nor his diet; nor did his doctrine, or baptism please them; nor were they wrought upon, or brought to repentance by his ministry; they did not lament, weep, or shed one tear, but sat unmoved, like stocks and stones, under those awful striking discourses, on mournful subjects, delivered by him: nor were they pleased with the free conduct, and pleasant conversation of Christ; nor did they dance, or rejoice, at the good news and glad tidings of grace, and salvation, which were brought by him: of such froward, peevish spirits they were, that neither John, nor Christ, could please them: they were a true picture and emblem of many persons, who like neither law nor Gospel, but are morose, sullen, and quarrelsome, let them hear what they will; as Solomon says, If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest, ( Proverbs 29:9). Upon which the Talmudists f686 comment, and illustrate it in this manner, and produce a proverbial saying, much like this in the text. Says God, I was angry with Ahaz, and I delivered him into the hands of the kings of Damascus; he sacrificed and burnt incense to their gods, ( 2 Chronicles 28:22,23). I played with Amaziah, and I gave the king of Edom into his hands; he brought their gods and worshipped them, ( 2 Chronicles 25:14). Says R. Papa, this is what men say, or it is a common proverb, [dy ald rml hyl ykyyj [dy ald rml hyl yykb , they weep to a man who takes no notice of it, they laugh to a man who does not observe it; woe to that man, who knows not the difference between good and evil.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 16-24 - Christ reflects on the scribes and Pharisees, who had a proud concei of themselves. He likens their behaviour to children's play, who being out of temper without reason, quarrel with all the attempts of their fellows to please them, or to get them to join in the plays for whic they used to assemble. The cavils of worldly men are often very trifling and show great malice. Something they have to urge agains every one, however excellent and holy. Christ, who was undefiled, an separate from sinners, is here represented as in league with them, an polluted by them. The most unspotted innocence will not always be defence against reproach. Christ knew that the hearts of the Jews wer more bitter and hardened against his miracles and doctrines, than thos of Tyre and Sidon would have been; therefore their condemnation woul be the greater. The Lord exercises his almighty power, yet he punishe none more than they deserve, and never withholds the knowledge of the truth from those who long after it.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ λεγουσιν 3004 5723 V-PAP-DPM ηυλησαμεν 832 5656 V-AAI-1P υμιν 5213 P-2DP και 2532 CONJ ουκ 3756 PRT-N ωρχησασθε 3738 5662 V-ADI-2P εθρηνησαμεν 2354 5656 V-AAI-1P υμιν 5213 P-2DP και 2532 CONJ ουκ 3756 PRT-N εκοψασθε 2875 5668 V-AMI-2P
Vincent's NT Word Studies
17. Mourn (ekoyasqe). Lit., beat or strike (the beast), as in oriental funeral lamentations.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
11:17 {Children sitting in the market places} (paidiois kaqemenois en tais agorais). this parable of the children playing in the market place is given also in #Lu 7:31f. Had Jesus as a child in Nazareth not played games with the children? He had certainly watched them often since. The interest of Christ in children was keen. He has really created the modern child's world out of the indifference of the past. They would not play wedding or funeral in a peevish fret. These metaphors in the Gospels are vivid to those with eyes to see. The agora was originally the assembly, qen the forum or public square where the people gathered for trade or for talk as in Athens (#Ac 17:17) and in many modern towns. So the Roman Forum. The oriental bazaars today are held in streets rather than public squares. Even today with all the automobiles children play in the streets. In English the word "cheap" (Cheapside) meant only barter and price, not cheap in our sense. The word for mourn (ekopsasthe) means to beat the heart, direct middle, after the fashion of eastern funeral lamentations.
