Matthew Henry Commentary Matthew 11:16-24

"But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the marketplaces, who call unto their fellows and say, We piped unto you, and ye did not dance; we wailed, and ye did not mourn. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a demon. The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold, a gluttonous man and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! And wisdom is justified by her works. Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not. Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. And thou, Capernaum, shalt thou be exalted unto heaven? thou shalt go down unto Hades: for if the mighty works had been done in Sodom which were done in thee, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee." — Matthew 11:16-24 (ASV)

Christ reflects on the scribes and Pharisees, who had an arrogant opinion of themselves. He likens their behavior to children's play: children who, being ill-tempered without reason, quarrel with all the attempts of their companions to please them or to get them to join in the games for which they used to gather. The quibbles of worldly people are often very petty and show great malice.

They find something to criticize in everyone, no matter how excellent and holy. Christ, who was undefiled and separate from sinners, is represented here as being in league with them and polluted by them. The most unblemished innocence will not always be a defense against reproach.

Christ knew that the hearts of the Jews were more bitter and hardened against His miracles and doctrines than the hearts of the people of Tyre and Sidon would have been; therefore, their condemnation would be greater. The Lord exercises His almighty power, yet He punishes no one more than they deserve and never withholds the knowledge of the truth from those who long for it.