They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is comparing this generation's stubborn refusal to respond to anything God sends them, not just to children playing, but to sullen children who won't join in any game, no matter the tune. They reject John's somber call to repentance just as much as they reject Jesus' joyful message of grace, showing a deep-seated unwillingness to engage with God's truth in any form.
They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus uses this vivid analogy of petulant children playing in the marketplace to illustrate the stubborn refusal of the religious elite to accept either John the Baptist's austere call to repentance or His own more joyful message of salvation. Despite God sending two distinct messengers with different approaches, this generation, represented by the Pharisees and scribes, rejected both, much like children who wouldn't join in any game their playmates initiated. This rejection, Jesus explains, reveals their deep-seated perversity and unwillingness to be pleased, no matter God's method of drawing them near.
Ever felt like no matter what you do, it's never enough? Jesus uses a vivid picture of children in the marketplace to describe a generation that couldn't be pleased.
Jesus compares this generation to children playing in the marketplace. One group plays wedding music, expecting their friends to dance, but they don't. Then, they switch to funeral music, expecting wails, but still, their peers refuse to respond.
Jesus declares that 'Wisdom is justified by her children.' But what happens when those who to be Wisdom's children refuse to follow her lead?
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The phrase 'Wisdom is justified by her children' (often linked to verse 35) is key here. True 'children of Wisdom' are those who respond to God's invitations, whether through John's call to repentance or Jesus's message of grace. They 'dance' when there's joy and 'weep' when there's sorrowful truth.
However, the generation Jesus speaks of, particularly the religious leaders, claimed to be children of God's Wisdom, but their actions proved otherwise. They dismissed John's austerity and criticized Jesus's fellowship. They refused to join either the 'dance' or the 'dirge' of God's messengers.
This verse highlights the deep-seated cultural and religious divisions in first-century Judea, where differing approaches to faith—represented by John the Baptist's asceticism and Jesus's more communal ministry—were met with equally stubborn rejection by the religious establishment.
c. AD 28
John the Baptist's Ministry Begins
John the Baptist begins his public ministry in the wilderness of Judea, calling people to repentance and baptizing them. His austere lifestyle and message contrast sharply with the prevailing social norms.
c. AD 28-29
Jesus' Public Ministry Begins
Jesus begins His public ministry, teaching, healing, and associating with a wide range of people, including tax collectors and sinners. His approach is often more joyful and communal than John's.
c. AD 29
John's Disciples Question Jesus
John the Baptist, imprisoned by Herod, sends his disciples to ask Jesus if He is the Messiah. Jesus responds by pointing to His works of healing and proclaiming the gospel to the poor.
c. AD 29— this verse
Jesus Critiques His Generation
Following John's disciples' departure, Jesus directly addresses the crowds about the people's rejection of both John's ascetic message and His own more relational ministry. He uses the analogy of children playing in the marketplace.
This passage is the parallel account in Matthew, where Jesus uses the exact same analogy of children in the marketplace to describe the people's rejection of both John the Baptist and Himself.
Luke 7:29-30This immediately preceding context highlights the different responses to God's message: the common people and tax collectors 'justified God' through John's baptism, while the Pharisees and lawyers rejected God's plan. This sets the stage for the analogy of uncooperative children.
Proverbs 1:20-22This Old Testament passage speaks of Wisdom crying out in public places, yet the simple and scoffers love their simplicity and scoffing, refusing to listen. It echoes the theme of divine calls being ignored by those resistant to wisdom.
Isaiah 5:1-7The parable of the vineyard in Isaiah portrays God's patient efforts to cultivate a people, only to find they produced wild grapes. This illustrates God's frustration when His persistent, varied approaches fail to yield the desired fruit of obedience and repentance.
calvinLuke 7:29-35: "And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John."
- But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children, who sit in the market-place, and call out to their companions, 17. And say, We have played on the flute to you, and you have not danced; we have sung mournful airs to you, and you have not lamented. 18. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. 19. The Son of man came ea…
clarkeLuke 7:32: "They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept."
They are like unto children - See on Matthew 11:16-19 (note). It is probable that our Lord alludes here to some play or game among the Jewish children, no account of which is now on record.
Jesus is comparing this generation's stubborn refusal to respond to anything God sends them, not just to children playing, but to sullen children who won't join in any game, no matter the tune. They reject John's somber call to repentance just as much as they reject Jesus' joyful message of grace, showing a deep-seated unwillingness to engage with God's truth in any form.
Jesus uses this vivid analogy of petulant children playing in the marketplace to illustrate the stubborn refusal of the religious elite to accept either John the Baptist's austere call to repentance or His own more joyful message of salvation. Despite God sending two distinct messengers with different approaches, this generation, represented by the Pharisees and scribes, rejected both, much like children who wouldn't join in any game their playmates initiated. This rejection, Jesus explains, reveals their deep-seated perversity and unwillingness to be pleased, no matter God's method of drawing them near.
Jesus uses this vivid analogy of petulant children playing in the marketplace to illustrate the stubborn refusal of the religious elite to accept either John the Baptist's austere call to repentance or His own more joyful message of salvation. Despite God sending two distinct messengers with different approaches, this generation, represented by the Pharisees and scribes, rejected both, much like children who wouldn't join in any game their playmates initiated. This rejection, Jesus explains, reveals their deep-seated perversity and unwillingness to be pleased, no matter God's method of drawing them near.
"They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another,
“‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’" — Jesus is comparing this generation's stubborn refusal to respond to anything God sends them, not just to children playing, but to *sullen* children who won't join in any game, no matter the tune. The…
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Last reviewed October 2026