Show Bible Commentary For A Bible Verse

Click here to show/hide instructions.

Selected Verse: Matthew 11:16 - Strong Concordance

Verse         Translation Text
Mt 11:16 Strong Concordance But [1161] whereunto [5101] shall I liken [3666] this [5026] generation [1074]? It is [2076] like [3664] unto children [3808] sitting [2521] in [1722] the markets [58], and [2532] calling [4377] unto their [846] fellows [2083],
  King James But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

Open All | Close All Open All | Close All
 
Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
But whereunto shall I liken ... - Christ proceeds to reprove the inconsistency and fickleness of that age of people. He says they were like children - nothing pleased them. He refers here to the "plays" or "sports" of children. Instrumental music, or piping and dancing, were used in marriages and festivals as a sign of joy. See the notes at Isa 5:11-12. Compare Job 21:11; Sa2 6:14; Jdg 11:34; Luk 15:25. Children imitate their parents and others, and act over in play what they see done by others. Among their childish sports, therefore, was probably an imitation of a wedding or festal occasion. We have seen also (the notes at Mat 9:23) that funerals were attended with mournful music, and lamentation, and howling. It is not improbable that children also, in play: imitated a mournful funeral procession. One part are represented as sullen and dissatisfied. They would not enter into the play: nothing pleased them. The others complained of it. We have, said they, taken all pains to please you. We have piped to you, have played lively tunes, and have engaged in cheerful sports, but you would not join with us; and then we have played different games, and imitated the mourning at funerals, and you are equally sullen; "you have not lamented;" you have not joked with us. Nothing pleases you. So, said Christ, is this generation of people. "John" came one way, "neither eating nor drinking," abstaining as a Nazarite, and you were not pleased with him. I, the Son of man, have come in a different manner, "eating and drinking;" not practicing any austerity, but living like other people, and you are equally dissatisfied - nay, you are less pleased. You calumniate him, and abuse me for not doing the very thing which displeased you in John. Nothing pleases you. You are fickle, changeable, inconstant, and abusive.

Markets - Places to sell provisions; places of concourse, where also children flocked together for play.

We have piped - We have played on musical instruments. A "pipe" was a wind instrument of music often used by shepherds.

Neither eating nor drinking - That is, abstaining from some kinds of food and wine, as a Nazarite. It does not mean that he did not eat at all, but that he was remarkable for abstinence.

He hath a devil - He is actuated by a bad spirit. He is irregular, strange, and cannot be a good man.

The Son of man came eating and drinking - That is, living as others do; not practicing austerity; and they accuse him of being fond of excess, and seeking the society of the wicked.

Gluttonous - One given to excessive eating.

Wine-bibber - One who drinks much wine. Jesus undoubtedly lived according to the general customs of the people of his time. He did not affect singularity; he did not separate himself as a Nazarite; he did not practice severe austerities. He ate that which was common and drank that which was common. As wine was a common article of beverage among the people, he drank it. It was the pure juice of the grape, and for anything that can be proved, it was without fermentation. In regard to the kind of wine which was used, see the notes at Joh 2:10. No one should plead the example, at any rate, in favor of making use of the wines that are commonly used in this country - wines, many of which are manufactured here, and without a particle of the pure juice of the grape, and most of which are mixed with noxious drugs to give them color and flavor.

Wisdom is justified of her children - The children of wisdom are the wise - those who understand. The Saviour means that though that generation of Pharisees and fault-finders did not appreciate the conduct of John and himself, yet the "wise," the candid - those who understood the reasons of their conduct - would approve of and do justice to it.
 
Top
10 And [2532] saith [3004] unto him [846], Every [3956] man [444] at the beginning [4412] doth set forth [5087] good [2570] wine [3631]; and [2532] when [3752] men have well drunk [3184], then [5119] that which is worse [1640]: but thou [4771] hast kept [5083] the good [2570] wine [3631] until [2193] now [737].
23 And [2532] when Jesus [2424] came [2064] into [1519] the ruler's [758] house [3614], and [2532] saw [1492] the minstrels [834] and [2532] the people [3793] making a noise [2350],
25 Now [1161] his [846] elder [4245] son [5207] was [2258] in [1722] the field [68]: and [2532] as [5613] he came [2064] and drew nigh [1448] to the house [3614], he heard [191] musick [4858] and [2532] dancing [5525].
34 And Jephthah [03316] came [0935] to Mizpeh [04709] unto his house [01004], and, behold, his daughter [01323] came out [03318] to meet [07125] him with timbrels [08596] and with dances [04246]: and she was his only child [03173]; beside her he had neither son [01121] nor [0176] daughter [01323].
14 And David [01732] danced [03769] before [06440] the LORD [03068] with all his might [05797]; and David [01732] was girded [02296] with a linen [0906] ephod [0646].
11 They send forth [07971] their little ones [05759] like a flock [06629], and their children [03206] dance [07540].
11 Woe [01945] unto them that rise up early [07925] in the morning [01242], that they may follow [07291] strong drink [07941]; that continue [0309] until night [05399], till wine [03196] inflame [01814] them!
12 And the harp [03658], and the viol [05035], the tabret [08596], and pipe [02485], and wine [03196], are in their feasts [04960]: but they regard [05027] not the work [06467] of the LORD [03068], neither consider [07200] the operation [04639] of his hands [03027].
5 And the streets [07339] of the city [05892] shall be full [04390] of boys [03206] and girls [03207] playing [07832] in the streets [07339] thereof.
19 The Son [5207] of man [444] came [2064] eating [2068] and [2532] drinking [4095], and [2532] they say [3004], Behold [2400] a man [444] gluttonous [5314], and [2532] a winebibber [3630], a friend [5384] of publicans [5057] and [2532] sinners [268]. But [2532] wisdom [4678] is justified [1344] of [575] her [846] children [5043].