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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 11:17 We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.'</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/11-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/40_Mat_11_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 11:17 - Jesus Testifies about John" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.'" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/matthew/11.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />‘We played wedding songs, and you didn’t dance, so we played funeral songs, and you didn’t mourn.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/matthew/11.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/matthew/11.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />saying: 'We piped for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge and you did not wail.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/11.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/11.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />and saying: ‘We played the flute for you, And you did not dance; We mourned to you, And you did not lament.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/11.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />and say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a song of mourning, and you did not mourn.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/11.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />and say, &#8216We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/11.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />and say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/11.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />and say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/11.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />and say ‘We piped the flute for you [playing wedding], and you did not dance; we wailed sad dirges [playing funeral], and you did not mourn <i>and</i> cry aloud.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/11.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />We played the flute for you, but you didn’t dance; we sang a lament, but you didn’t mourn!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/11.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />We played the flute for you, but you didn&#8217t dance; we sang a lament, but you didn&#8217t mourn! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/11.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />and say, We piped unto you, and ye did not dance; we wailed, and ye did not mourn.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/11.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />"We played the flute, but you would not dance! We sang a funeral song, but you would not mourn!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/11.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />and say, We piped unto you, and ye did not dance; we wailed, and ye did not mourn.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/11.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />'We played music for you, but you didn't dance. We sang a funeral song, but you didn't show any sadness.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/11.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />'We played wedding music for you, but you wouldn't dance! We sang funeral songs, but you wouldn't cry!' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/11.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />A wedding song we played for you, the dance you all did scorn. A woeful dirge we chanted, too, but then you would not mourn.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/11.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge for you, and you did not mourn.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/11.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />We played the flute for you, yet you did not dance; we wailed in mourning, yet you did not weep.' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/matthew/11.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />saying, 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance. We wailed in mourning, and you did not mourn.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/11.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And saying, We have piped to you, and ye have not danced; We have mourned to you, and ye have not lamented.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"'We have played the flute to you,' they say, 'and you have not danced: we have sung dirges, and you have not beaten your breasts.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/11.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />and say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you didn’t dance. We mourned for you, and you didn’t lament.’ <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/11.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and saying, We piped to you, and you did not dance, we lamented to you, and you did not strike the breast.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />saying: 'We piped for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge and you did not wail.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/11.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and saying, We piped unto you, and ye did not dance, we lamented to you, and ye did not smite the breast.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/11.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And saying, We played the flute to you, and ye moved not; we lamented to you and ye lamented not.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/11.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Who crying to their companions say: We have piped to you, and you have not danced: we have lamented, and you have not mourned. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/11.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />who, calling out to their companions, say: ‘We played music for you, and you did not dance. We lamented, and you did not mourn.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/11.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance, we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/11.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.’<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/11.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And say, We have sung to you, but you would not dance; and we have wailed to you but you did not mourn.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/11.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />And saying, 'We sang to you, and you did not dance, and we cried for you, and you were not sad.'<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/11.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />and saying: "We have played on the pipe for you, and you have not danced; we have wailed for you, and you have not lamented.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/11.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>We piped unto you, and you did not dance; we mourned unto you, and you did not lament.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/11.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />and saying, We have piped to you, and ye have not danced; we have sung mournful ditties to you, and ye have not beat your breasts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/11.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />"if we play a merry tune, you are not for dancing; if we act a mournful part, you are not in the humour."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"'We have played the flute to you,' they say, 'and you have not danced: we have sung dirges, and you have not beaten your breasts.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/11.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>say, 'We piped to you, and ye did not dance; we wailed, and ye did not lament.'<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/11.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>and calling to their companions, and saying "We have sung and ye have not danced; we have mourned, and ye have not lamented:"<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/11-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=2861" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/matthew/11.htm">Jesus Testifies about John</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">16</span>To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legousin (V-PIA-3P) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">‘</a> <a href="/greek/832.htm" title="832: Ēulēsamen (V-AIA-1P) -- To play the flute, pipe. From aulos; to play the flute.">We played the flute</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymin (PPro-D2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">for you,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: Kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/3738.htm" title="3738: ōrchēsasthe (V-AIM-2P) -- To dance. Middle voice from orchos; to dance.">you did not dance;</a> <a href="/greek/2354.htm" title="2354: Ethrēnēsamen (V-AIA-1P) -- Intrans: I lament, wail; trans: I bewail. From threnos; to bewail.">we sang a dirge,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: Kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/2875.htm" title="2875: ekopsasthe (V-AIM-2P) -- A primary verb; to chop; specially, to beat the breast in grief.">you did not mourn.’</a> </span> <span class="reftext">18</span>For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/7-32.htm">Luke 7:32</a></span><br />They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to one another: ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/5-1.htm">Isaiah 5:1-7</a></span><br />I will sing for my beloved a song of his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. / He dug it up and cleared the stones and planted the finest vines. He built a watchtower in the middle and dug out a winepress as well. He waited for the vineyard to yield good grapes, but the fruit it produced was sour! / “And now, O dwellers of Jerusalem and men of Judah, I exhort you to judge between Me and My vineyard. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/33-32.htm">Ezekiel 33:32</a></span><br />Indeed, you are to them like a singer of love songs with a beautiful voice, who skillfully plays an instrument. They hear your words but do not put them into practice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/7-11.htm">Zechariah 7:11-12</a></span><br />But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they stopped up their ears from hearing. / They made their hearts like flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the LORD of Hosts had sent by His Spirit through the earlier prophets. Therefore great anger came from the LORD of Hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/7-25.htm">Jeremiah 7:25-26</a></span><br />From the day your fathers came out of the land of Egypt until this day, I have sent you all My servants the prophets again and again. / Yet they would not listen to Me or incline their ear, but they stiffened their necks and did more evil than their fathers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/53-3.htm">Isaiah 53:3</a></span><br />He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/5-39.htm">John 5:39-40</a></span><br />You pore over the Scriptures because you presume that by them you possess eternal life. These are the very words that testify about Me, / yet you refuse to come to Me to have life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-11.htm">John 1:11</a></span><br />He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-37.htm">Matthew 23:37</a></span><br />O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/13-34.htm">Luke 13:34</a></span><br />O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/78-40.htm">Psalm 78:40-41</a></span><br />How often they disobeyed Him in the wilderness and grieved Him in the desert! / Again and again they tested God and provoked the Holy One of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9-10</a></span><br />And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ / Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/28-25.htm">Acts 28:25-27</a></span><br />They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit was right when He spoke to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: / ‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.” / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/10-21.htm">Romans 10:21</a></span><br />But as for Israel he says: “All day long I have held out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/36-15.htm">2 Chronicles 36:15-16</a></span><br />Again and again the LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to His people through His messengers because He had compassion on them and on His dwelling place. / But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And saying, We have piped to you, and you have not danced; we have mourned to you, and you have not lamented.</p><p class="hdg">We.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/28-9.htm">Isaiah 28:9-13</a></b></br> Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? <i>them that are</i> weaned from the milk, <i>and</i> drawn from the breasts… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_corinthians/9-19.htm">1 Corinthians 9:19-23</a></b></br> For though I be free from all <i>men</i>, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more… </p><p class="hdg">piped.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/9-15.htm">Matthew 9:15,23</a></b></br> And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/1-40.htm">1 Kings 1:40</a></b></br> And all the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth rent with the sound of them.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/30-29.htm">Isaiah 30:29</a></b></br> Ye shall have a song, as in the night <i>when</i> a holy solemnity is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one goeth with a pipe to come into the mountain of the LORD, to the mighty One of Israel.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/malachi/1-4.htm">Beaten</a> <a href="/micah/7-5.htm">Breast</a> <a href="/nahum/2-7.htm">Breasts</a> <a href="/matthew/8-12.htm">Cries</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-15.htm">Dance</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-26.htm">Danced</a> <a href="/amos/5-1.htm">Dirge</a> <a href="/luke/7-33.htm">Dirges</a> <a href="/matthew/9-23.htm">Flute</a> <a href="/malachi/2-13.htm">Grief</a> <a href="/micah/2-4.htm">Lament</a> <a href="/matthew/9-15.htm">Mourn</a> <a href="/zechariah/12-12.htm">Mourned</a> <a href="/habakkuk/3-19.htm">Music</a> <a href="/matthew/5-30.htm">Part</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-40.htm">Piped</a> <a href="/hosea/9-1.htm">Played</a> <a href="/psalms/106-12.htm">Sang</a> <a href="/micah/5-12.htm">Signs</a> <a href="/matthew/5-39.htm">Smite</a> <a href="/matthew/2-18.htm">Sorrow</a> <a href="/isaiah/26-1.htm">Sung</a> <a href="/jeremiah/48-39.htm">Wailed</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/14-24.htm">Beaten</a> <a href="/matthew/21-16.htm">Breast</a> <a href="/luke/8-52.htm">Breasts</a> <a href="/matthew/12-19.htm">Cries</a> <a href="/luke/6-24.htm">Dance</a> <a href="/matthew/14-6.htm">Danced</a> <a href="/luke/7-32.htm">Dirge</a> <a href="/luke/7-33.htm">Dirges</a> <a href="/luke/7-32.htm">Flute</a> <a href="/matthew/17-23.htm">Grief</a> <a href="/matthew/24-30.htm">Lament</a> <a href="/matthew/24-30.htm">Mourn</a> <a href="/mark/16-10.htm">Mourned</a> <a href="/luke/7-32.htm">Music</a> <a href="/matthew/12-30.htm">Part</a> <a href="/luke/7-32.htm">Piped</a> <a href="/luke/7-32.htm">Played</a> <a href="/matthew/21-9.htm">Sang</a> <a href="/matthew/16-3.htm">Signs</a> <a href="/matthew/24-30.htm">Smite</a> <a href="/matthew/13-42.htm">Sorrow</a> <a href="/matthew/26-30.htm">Sung</a> <a href="/mark/5-38.htm">Wailed</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 11</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/11-1.htm">John sends his disciples to Jesus.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/11-7.htm">Jesus' testimony concerning John.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/11-16.htm">The perverse judgment of the people concerning the Son.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/11-20.htm">Jesus upbraids Korazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/11-25.htm">and praising his Father's wisdom in revealing the Gospel to the simple,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/11-28.htm">he calls to him those who are weary and burdened.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/11.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/11.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;</b><br>This phrase reflects a common cultural practice in ancient Jewish society where children would mimic adult activities, such as weddings and funerals, in their play. The flute was often associated with joyous occasions like weddings. The imagery here suggests an invitation to joy and celebration that was ignored. In the broader context of <a href="/matthew/11.htm">Matthew 11</a>, Jesus is addressing the unresponsive nature of the generation to both His and John the Baptist's ministries. The flute playing symbolizes the joyful message of the Kingdom of Heaven that Jesus brought, which was met with indifference by many. This can be connected to other scriptures where Jesus speaks of the Kingdom as a wedding feast (<a href="/matthew/22.htm">Matthew 22:1-14</a>).<p><b>we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.</b><br>A dirge is a lament for the dead, typically performed at funerals. This part of the verse contrasts with the previous phrase, representing the somber and penitential message of John the Baptist, who called for repentance and warned of judgment. The people's failure to mourn signifies their lack of response to John's call for repentance. This reflects the broader theme of spiritual apathy and hardness of heart. The dual imagery of flute and dirge highlights the people's rejection of both the joyful and solemn aspects of God's message. This can be seen as a fulfillment of prophetic themes where the people of Israel are often depicted as unresponsive to God's calls through His prophets (<a href="/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9-10</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>The speaker of this verse, Jesus is addressing the crowds about their response to His ministry and that of John the Baptist.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/john_the_baptist.htm">John the Baptist</a></b><br>A key figure in the context of this passage, John’s ascetic lifestyle and call to repentance are contrasted with Jesus’ ministry.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_crowds.htm">The Crowds</a></b><br>The people of Jesus’ generation who are being critiqued for their lack of response to both John’s and Jesus’ ministries.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/c/children_in_the_marketplace.htm">Children in the Marketplace</a></b><br>The metaphor used by Jesus to illustrate the fickle and unresponsive nature of the people.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_cities_of_galilee.htm">The Cities of Galilee</a></b><br>The broader setting where Jesus performed many of His works and where the people’s response was often one of indifference.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_discernment.htm">The Call to Discernment</a></b><br>Believers are called to discern the times and respond appropriately to God’s messages, whether they come in joy or in mourning.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_indifference.htm">The Danger of Indifference</a></b><br>Indifference to God’s call, whether through repentance or celebration, can lead to spiritual stagnation and missed opportunities for growth.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/responding_to_god's_messengers.htm">Responding to God’s Messengers</a></b><br>Just as the people were called to respond to John and Jesus, we must be attentive and responsive to God’s messengers today.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_spiritual_sensitivity.htm">The Importance of Spiritual Sensitivity</a></b><br>Cultivating a heart that is sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading is crucial for recognizing and responding to God’s work in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reflecting_on_our_own_responses.htm">Reflecting on Our Own Responses</a></b><br>We should regularly reflect on how we respond to God’s invitations and challenges, ensuring that we are not like the unresponsive generation Jesus described.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_11.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 11</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_'faith_that_moves_mountains'.htm">What did Jesus mean by 'faith that moves mountains'?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_pro-palestinian_movement.htm">Who knows the Son except the Father?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/was_john_the_baptist_elijah.htm">Was John the Baptist Elijah who was to come? Yes (Matthew II: 14, 17:10-13) No (John 1:19-21)</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/psalm_149_3_dance__supernatural_or_cultural.htm">Psalm 149:3 - Is there any indication that the ritual dancing mentioned had supernatural power, or is this a cultural practice without verifiable effects?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/11-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">‘We played the flute</span><br /><span class="grk">Ηὐλήσαμεν</span> <span class="translit">(Ēulēsamen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_832.htm">Strong's 832: </a> </span><span class="str2">To play the flute, pipe. From aulos; to play the flute.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for you,</span><br /><span class="grk">ὑμῖν</span> <span class="translit">(hymin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> </span><span class="str2">You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">Καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(Kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">you did not dance;</span><br /><span class="grk">ὠρχήσασθε</span> <span class="translit">(ōrchēsasthe)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3738.htm">Strong's 3738: </a> </span><span class="str2">To dance. Middle voice from orchos; to dance.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">we sang a dirge,</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἐθρηνήσαμεν</span> <span class="translit">(Ethrēnēsamen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2354.htm">Strong's 2354: </a> </span><span class="str2">Intrans: I lament, wail; trans: I bewail. From threnos; to bewail.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">Καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(Kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">you did not mourn.’</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐκόψασθε</span> <span class="translit">(ekopsasthe)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2875.htm">Strong's 2875: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary verb; to 'chop'; specially, to beat the breast in grief.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/11-17.htm">Matthew 11:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/11-17.htm">Matthew 11:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/11-17.htm">Matthew 11:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/11-17.htm">Matthew 11:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/11-17.htm">Matthew 11:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/11-17.htm">Matthew 11:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/11-17.htm">Matthew 11:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/11-17.htm">Matthew 11:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/11-17.htm">Matthew 11:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/11-17.htm">Matthew 11:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/11-17.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 11:17 And say 'We played the flute (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/11-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 11:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 11:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/11-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 11:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 11:18" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>