The Children in the Marketplace

The Lead Up

John was arrested by Herod Antipas.

John sent his disciples to find out if Jesus was actually the promised Messiah

Jesus told John’s disciples to tell John about the miracles they had witnessed, because they were proof Jesus was the Messiah (Matthew 11:1–6).

Matthew 11:5 (NIV)

The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.

Jesus had just sent the disciples to preach in the surrounding areas of Isreal, to preach the coming of the Kingdom of God.

Matthew 11:16–19 (NIV)

“To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: “ ‘We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 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.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”

Luke 7:31–35 (NIV)

Jesus went on to say, “To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other: “ ‘We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not cry.’ For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by all her children.”

Let’s Talk about John the Baptist

Jesus was highlighting/praising John’s ministry

Jesus states there is no one greater than John the Baptist

“His (John’s) ministry was a divide between two eras of God’s kingdom program. In the era of the law and the Prophets, people could only look forward to the time of fulfillment. But the coming of Jesus inaugurated a new era of the kingdom, so even the least in the kingdom had the unique privilege of realizing kingdom blessings, something that previous generations could only hope for.” Fascinating Bible Studies on Every Parable: For Personal or Small Group Use The Children in the Marketplace

Jesus states that John was a fulfillment of the messenger spoken of in Malachi 3:1 ““I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty.” , and Matthew 11:10 “This is the one about whom it is written: “ ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’”

The Wrap Up

The ministries of Jesus and John

Jesus’ Ministry

“Though John and Jesus were contemporaries, their lifestyles and ministries were different. Jesus’ ministry was more upbeat and jubilant. He began his ministry in Galilee at a wedding, where he turned hundreds of gallons of water into wine. Though he announced the coming of the kingdom, he was rejected. His opponents claimed that he was a glutton and a drunkard, and they ridiculed him for associating with sinners.” Fascinating Bible Studies on Every Parable: For Personal or Small Group Use (The Children in the Marketplace)

Johns Ministry

“John’s ministry was more solemn. He was somewhat of an ascetic, who lived and ministered in the wilderness and ate locusts and honey. To prepare Israel for the coming of the Messiah, he challenged people to confess their sins and get baptized, or face the fires of judgment. Like Jesus, he was rejected. His critics charged he was demon possessed.” Fascinating Bible Studies on Every Parable: For Personal or Small Group Use (The Children in the Marketplace)

Jesus’s focal point was not on their differences but the reception of their messages

They wanted John to lighten up and abandon his strict lifestyle.

They wanted Jesus to be more legalistic rejecting those who accepted.

To sum it up they wanted Jesus and John to conform to their culture verses them changing

But wisdom is proved by the right of her children

Jesus is pointing out that because of John’s coming and His coming that they fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament scriptures.

Questions

1. What are some of the “complaints” (reasons) that people give today for rejecting Jesus?

2. Why was the use of a parable about songs from children playing in the marketplace an effective way for Jesus to describe his critics?

3. Read Mark 1:1-8 . How did John prepare Israel for the coming of the Messiah? What are some of the ways that we can prepare people to receive Christ as their Savior? (Include in your answer matters of both lifestyle and message.)

Mark 1:1–8 (NIV)

The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:

“I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”— “a voice of one calling in the wilderness,

‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ ” And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

4. John’s critics complained that he was too serious and judgmental, and Jesus’ critics that he was too lenient and tolerant. How can we maintain a balanced Christian life that avoids a stern and rigid legalism?

5. Read 1 Corinthians 9:19–23 “Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” . How does Paul use his freedom to share the gospel with as many people as possible? To what extent should we adapt our lifestyle to changing cultural norms?

6. Read Luke 5:27–32 “After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”” Why did the religious leaders complain to Jesus’ disciples? What are some of the ways we can go out of our comfort zone to witness to others?

7. Read Luke 15:1–2 “Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”” How did the response of tax collectors and sinners support Jesus’ statement about wisdom?

8. Read 1 Corinthians 2:1–5 “And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.” How does Paul’s ministry and message in Corinth correlate with the wisdom statement in the parable? How does this passage encourage you in sharing your faith with unbelievers?

9. What new insight has this parable given you on how unbelievers respond to the gospel?