Children in the Marketplace
A generation that refuses to respond rightly to God's call.
Jesus likens his critics to children who reject both lament and dance, exposing a posture of refusal toward John and Jesus.
Scripture
16 "But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call to their companions
17 and say, 'We played the flute for you, and you didn't dance. We mourned for you, and you didn't lament.'
18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.'
19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' But wisdom is justified by her children."
31 "To what then will I liken the people of this generation? What are they like?
32 They are like children who sit in the marketplace, and call one to another, saying, 'We piped to you, and you didn't dance. We mourned, and you didn't weep.'
33 For John the Baptizer came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.'
34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man, and a drunkard; a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'
35 Wisdom is justified by all her children."