"To what shall I compare this generation? It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another, 'We played the flute for you, but you did not dance, we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.' For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said, 'He is possessed by a demon.' The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said, 'Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.' But wisdom is vindicated by her works." (Mt 11:16-19)
Jesus seems to be disappointed with this generation. He has worked his way through Galilee. He has preached to the people and he has worked his miracles. Matthew has already spoken about Jesus and his ministry in six chapters (from chapter 4 to chapter 11). This generation has seen the works of Jesus and yet they have not believed in him.
This generation is like children. Children play games. In the games they expect one another to support and help and join in the games. If children do not join in the games or play with them or play their roles then the game is no carried on further. One has to call for the game and others have to join in to complete the game. Through this example Jesus is talking about the non cooperation.
But when he speaks about John the Baptist and himself he speaks about the misunderstanding. Misunderstanding comes because the people give importance to the external signs and read the internal dispositions. Rather the people read in the human way. There is always an another way. That is man is a mystery. This element of mystery is not revealed in external signs and we cannot interpret it easily.
