CHILDREN IN THE MARKETPLACE

Passage: Matthew 11:16-24

Key verse: 16

NIV

16 “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:

17 “‘We played the pipe for you,
    and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
    and you did not mourn.’

18 For John came neither eating(A) nor drinking,(B) and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’(C) But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”

Woe on Unrepentant Towns(D)

20 Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!(E) For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon,(F) they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.(G) 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.(H) 23 And you, Capernaum,(I) will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades.[a](J) For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”(K)

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Footnotes
  1. Matthew 11:23 That is, the realm of the dead
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,

17 “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
    we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’

18 For John came (A)neither eating (B)nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came (C)eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, (D)a friend of (E)tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”[a]

Woe to Unrepentant Cities

20 (F)Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21 (G)“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in (H)Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 (I)But I tell you, it will be more bearable on (J)the day of judgment for (K)Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, (L)Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to (M)Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 (N)But I tell you that (O)it will be more tolerable on (P)the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.”

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Footnotes
  1. Matthew 11:19 Some manuscripts children (compare Luke 7:35)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Children in the marketplace (16-19)

There was a children's song which fit the rebellious spirit of the times. The music of the flute was an invitation to dance--but rebellious children didn't dance. A dirge is a call to mourn--but rebellious children didn't respond. The people of Jesus' day were like this. John lived a humble, austere life that challenged the corrupt culture. People who did not want to repent said he had a demon. Jesus hobnobbed with sick and sinful people to minister to them. But people criticized him, and rejected God's blessing.

2. Woe to the unrepentant (2

-24)

The cities of Israel in which Jesus worked were so privileged--but the people in them did not repent; they did not welcome Jesus. However, outsiders who received the gospel and repented would be saved. Privileges don't save; Jesus does.

Prayer: Lord, take away my proud mind and give me a humble heart that always welcomes Jesus.

One Word: Hear God's word; repent and welcome Jesus