The flute symbolizes joy, and the dirge symbolizes mourning. By complaining that their playmates did not participate in their games (Mt 11:16-17), the children were saying that they were not happy or sad but unresponsive or indifferent. Jesus uses this parable as a rebuke to the Bible teachers and Pharisees. They complained about both John the Baptist and Jesus. John's fasting was too strict, rigid and legalistic (Mt 11:18), while Jesus' dining habits were too lenient, liberal and socially unacceptable (Mt 11:19). But in reality, they judged and rejected the teachings of both John and Jesus based on their own criteria, biases, expectations and preferences.
