CHILDREN IN THE MARKETPLACE (LUKE 7:31-35; MATTHEW 11:16-19)

The context in both parallel versions is identical; it follows a discussion on John the Baptist. The wording is also the same in both also except for the final verse (discussed below). We will follow Luke's versions.

Luke 7:30 identifies the Pharisees and lawyers who rejected God's purpose as the audience.

Verse 31 has a possible parallel in Deuteronomy 32:20: “they are a perverse generation, children in whom there is no faithfulness.” “This generation” is used elsewhere in the NT mostly in the context of judgment.

Verse 32 --“The interpretation of the parable has been contested for centuries.” (Fitzmyer)

    The Pharisees wanted others to play to their music. (Martin)

    Jesus comments on the attitude of the Pharisees and their followers who are like children playing games. When the group wants to play happy music, they refuse to dance (Jesus eating and drinking with saved sinners). However, when the group plays funeral music instead, they refuse to join in the mourning (John and his lifestyle and dire message of repentance). (Marshall)

    32a is one group talking while 32b is another. They couldn't agree which type of game to play (Kistemaker)

    Or it may be the Pharisees complaining in both cases in which A complains to John and B complains to Jesus. One was too aesthetic and the other was too worldly. “For them John was too mad, Jesus too vulgar.” (Ellison)

    There is the allegorical approach where half of the children who complain = those disappointed with Jesus and John, and the other group = Jesus and John themselves. (Kistemaker)

    One group wants to pay wedding while the other wants to play funeral. One group is the followers of John and the other is the followers of Jesus.

    One group proposes a wedding or funeral play, but the other group refused to play either.

        (a) Those who invite others to play represent John, Jesus and their followers.

        (b) Those who piped music are the evil generation who were disappointed at John's asceticism and refusal to dance. But when they played dirges, they expected Jesus to forsake his message of joy.

    In any case, as Hendricksen says: “It is clear that Jesus is here accusing these critics of being childish.”

Verses 33-34

    Ecclesiastes 3:4 parallel: “[There is] a time to weep, and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.”

    Verse 34: Son of man probably refers here to Jesus' humble character. (Marshall)

Verse 35 See the parallel saying in Matthew where “works” appears in place of “children.” Wisdom is often used as a personification of, or a circumlocution for, God Himself. God's wisdom is shown by her children: namely, those who respond to John and Jesus. 

    Barbieri: The wisdom of John and Jesus' approach would be proved by the results – those brought into the kingdom.

    “All” refers back to verse 29 to refer to followers of John and Jesus (Some include John and Jesus themselves also). D. A. Carson's belief that it refers just to John and Jesus is doubtful.

    Blomberg: Three main teachings: (1) the joyful message of forgiveness shouldn't be dampened by legalism, (2) the message of repentance should be taken seriously, and (3) both these truths will be demonstrated by those who follow them.