What is the context?
Jesus compares His generation to children complaining in a marketplace. A joyful tune gets no dance, and a sad song gets no mourning. The picture exposes an unwillingness to respond, whichever kind of approach is offered.
John and Jesus give the example. John's restrained way of life brings an accusation that he has a demon. Jesus eats and drinks with people, and His opponents accuse Him of excess and criticize His friendships. Their contrasting ways of living both become reasons for rejection.
The accusation about Jesus being a glutton and drunkard is what His critics say, not Matthew's judgment about His conduct. His meals with tax collectors and sinners have already raised objections in Matthew 9:9–13, where He explains His mission through mercy and the need of sinners.
The closing saying turns attention from the accusations to wisdom's results. The question is whether the work of God is being recognized in what John and Jesus actually do. A person can keep finding reasons to dismiss the messengers while avoiding the message they bring.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Christians commonly read this as exposing an unwillingness to receive God's message, despite the different approaches of John and Jesus. Wesley on Matthew 11:16–19 describes people who will not be pleased with either approach; the US Catholic bishops' notes on 11:16–19 likewise connect the illustration with rejecting John's restraint and Jesus' meals with outsiders.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.