“This generation
Is like children
Sitting
In the market place.
They call to one another.
‘We played
The flute
For you!
But you did not dance.
We wailed!
But you did not weep.’”
ὅμοιοί εἰσιν παιδίοις τοῖς ἐν ἀγορᾷ καθημένοις καὶ προσφωνοῦσιν ἀλλήλοις ἃ λέγει Ηὐλήσαμεν ὑμῖν καὶ οὐκ ὠρχήσασθε· ἐθρηνήσαμεν καὶ οὐκ ἐκλαύσατε.
Luke indicated that Jesus said this generation was like little children (ὅμοιοί εἰσιν παιδίοις) sitting in the market place (τοῖς ἐν ἀγορᾷ καθημένοις). They would call to one another (καὶ προσφωνοῦσιν ἀλλήλοις ἃ), saying that they played the flute for them (λέγει Ηὐλήσαμεν ὑμῖν), but they would not dance (καὶ οὐκ ὠρχήσασθε). They wailed or sang a dirge (ἐθρηνήσαμεν), but they would not weep (καὶ οὐκ ἐκλαύσατε). Matthew, chapter 11:16-17, had a similar statement, indicating a possible common Q source. Jesus took on this childish generation, since they were like little kids sitting in the market places calling to each other, as if playing games. These spoiled little children grumbled about everything. This childish generation complained that John and Jesus would not dance to their flute playing. They would not wail and lament when they wanted them to join their dirge. Jesus and John the Baptist would not play their childish games by dancing and mourning at the drop of a hat. Are you part of a childish generation?
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 