en_tn_lite_do_not_use/mat/11/17.md

Connecting Statement:

Jesus continues the parable that begins with the words "It is like" in verse 16.

and say ... and you did not weep

Jesus uses a parable to describe the people who were alive at that time. He compares them to a group of children who are trying to get the other children to play with them. However, no matter way they do, the other children will not join them. Jesus means that it does not matter if God sends someone like John the Baptist, who lives in the desert and fasts, or someone like Jesus, who celebrates with sinners and does not fast. The people, most specifically the Pharisees and religious leaders, still remain stubborn and refuse to accept God's truth. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parables and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)

We played a flute for you

"We" refers to the children sitting in the marketplace. Here "you" is plural and refers to the other group of children. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-you)

and you did not dance

"but you did not dance to the happy music"

We mourned

This means they sang sad songs like women did at funerals. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)

and you did not weep

"but you did not cry with us"