We Have Piped and Mourned - Matthew 11:17

Matthew the apostle shared how Jesus asked, “But where-unto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows”, and in chapter eleven and verse seventeen of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus shared how the little boys in the markets say, “we have piped” and “we have mourned” where we read:

And saying, We have piped unto you, and you have not danced;

we have mourned unto you, and you have not lamented.

The verse reads, “And saying, We have piped unto you, and you have not danced;” Matthew began with the words, “and saying” which means “and uttering, proclaiming and declaring”, “we have piped” or “the little boys have played on flutes” “unto you” which means “toward their friends”, “and you” or “and their friends” “have not danced” which means “have not moved from the rank like or regular motion”. Matthew shared how Jesus compared His generation to little boys who have played their flutes, but their friends did not dance to their playing.

The verse continues, “we have mourned unto you, and you have not lamented.” Matthew added the words, “we have mourned” which means “the little boys have lamented in dirges, bewailed and deplored” “unto you” or “toward their friends”, “and you have not lamented” or “and their friends did not mourn, lament or sing dirges”. Matthew shared how the little boys in the markets employed the extreme of “lamentation” to cause a reaction in their friends, and their their efforts were to no avail.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus used two extremely opposite ways to share with the multitudes. Joyous music and mournful music were employed to cause a reaction from the crowd, however, neither was effective. God desires to have a relationship with people through His Son Jesus, and whether He brings about joyous circumstances or lamentable ones, some people will not respond to Him. Those who are wise will examine their reactions to God's and word and the circumstances in their lives, and if they desire to have a relationship with God, they will respond to Him accordingly.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus refers to those who, “John came neither eating or drinking”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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