My read on this one has been that Jesus is quoting what would have been a well-known nursery rhyme of the time. Like he’s saying, “you are like kids in the temple going ‘Miss Mary Mack, All dressed in black...” etc. Which goes to your point about verisimilitude. But also I think he’s drawing from this well-known (to his audience) cultural touchstone to show, in a humorous and relatable way, how hypocritical the people are in their standards for their religious leaders. Today he’d say something like “Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.” Or “You can’t win.” John lived ascetically, Jesus lived embedded in human social customs. And he’s calling them out for rejecting both teachers on these grounds. What exactly are they looking for?
My read on this one has been that Jesus is quoting what would have been a well-known nursery rhyme of the time. Like he’s saying, “you are like kids in the temple going ‘Miss Mary Mack, All dressed in black...” etc. Which goes to your point about verisimilitude. But also I think he’s drawing from this well-known (to his audience) cultural touchstone to show, in a humorous and relatable way, how hypocritical the people are in their standards for their religious leaders. Today he’d say something like “Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.” Or “You can’t win.” John lived ascetically, Jesus lived embedded in human social customs. And he’s calling them out for rejecting both teachers on these grounds. What exactly are they looking for?