Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 11:17

"and say, We piped unto you, and ye did not dance; we wailed, and ye did not mourn." — Matthew 11:17 (ASV)

“Comparison” stands at the heart of Jesus’ parables (see introductory comment on Mk 4). Here Jesus uses an analogy to show his view of his generation in connection with their general rejection of himself as Messiah (see comment on Lk 7:29–35). This identification of “this generation” (GK 1155) is confirmed by the next pericope (vv.20–24).