Matthew 11 19

Matthew 11:19 kjv

The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.

Matthew 11:19 nkjv

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' But wisdom is justified by her children."

Matthew 11:19 niv

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."

Matthew 11:19 esv

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds."

Matthew 11:19 nlt

The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, 'He's a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!' But wisdom is shown to be right by its results."

Matthew 11 verses

Matthew 11 19 Meaning

Matthew 11:19 describes Jesus, the Son of Man, contrasting His ministry and lifestyle with that of John the Baptist. While John adopted an ascetic lifestyle, Jesus embraced a communal one, eating and drinking, even with those considered outcasts. This led to Him being slandered by His critics as a "glutton" and "drunkard" and disparaged for associating with "tax collectors and sinners." Despite these false accusations, the verse concludes with the profound declaration that divine wisdom is ultimately vindicated and proven true by its results and observable actions.

Matthew 11 19 Context

Matthew 11:19 is part of Jesus' discourse following the disciples of John the Baptist questioning His identity and ministry (vv. 2-6). Jesus first highly commends John (vv. 7-15) and then addresses the perverse and fickle nature of "this generation" (vv. 16-19), illustrating it with the analogy of children playing a game where neither joy nor lament pleases their companions. John the Baptist's austere lifestyle led to accusations of demon possession (v. 18), while Jesus' more approachable and inclusive lifestyle, particularly His willingness to eat and associate with socially marginalized groups, brought forth different, yet equally unfounded, accusations. This verse underscores the pervasive blindness and resistance to both John's and Jesus' ministries among the people of that time. Historically, association with tax collectors and sinners was highly scandalous for a rabbi, as it violated the prevailing purity laws and social norms of Jewish society influenced by Pharisaic traditions.

Matthew 11 19 Word analysis

• The Son of Man (ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, ho huios tou anthrōpou):
  • This is Jesus' preferred self-designation, echoing Daniel 7:13-14.
  • It emphasizes His dual nature: His humanity (Son of Man) and His divine authority as the eschatological judge and ruler (Messianic, heavenly figure).
  • It points to His identity as the appointed redeemer, in contrast to the accusations against Him.
• came (ἦλθεν, ēlthen):
  • Signifies a deliberate, intentional arrival and mission. Jesus' ministry and approach were purposeful.
• eating and drinking (ἔσθων καὶ πίνων, esthōn kai pinōn):
  • Describes Jesus' inclusive and communal lifestyle, sharply contrasting with John the Baptist's asceticism (who "came neither eating nor drinking," Matt 11:18).
  • It indicates participation in normal human activities and social gatherings, including shared meals, which were significant social and covenantal acts in ancient cultures.
• they say (λέγουσιν, legousin):
  • Refers to the critics, predominantly the religious authorities (Pharisees and scribes) who opposed Jesus.
  • Highlights the vocal opposition and public defamation directed at Jesus.
• Look, a glutton and a drunkard (Ἰδοὺ ἄνθρωπος φάγος καὶ οἰνοπότης, Idou anthrōpos phagos kai oinopotēs):
  • Glutton (φάγος, phagos): Literally "an eater," but carries the connotation of excessive or unrestrained eating.
  • Drunkard (οἰνοπότης, oinopotēs): A "wine-drinker," implying overindulgence in wine.
  • These are highly disparaging, morally charged accusations aimed at discrediting Jesus by impugning His character and self-control.
  • Such behaviors were viewed negatively (cf. Prov 23:20-21, Deut 21:20).
• a friend of tax collectors and sinners (τελωνῶν φίλος καὶ ἁμαρτωλῶν, telōnōn philos kai hamartolōn):
  • Friend (φίλος, philos): Implies intimate association and camaraderie.
  • Tax collectors (τελωνῶν, telōnōn): Jews who collected taxes for Rome, despised by their countrymen as traitors, extortionists, and ritualistically unclean.
  • Sinners (ἁμαρτωλῶν, hamartolōn): Refers to those habitually living in disregard of Mosaic law or Jewish traditions, often prostitutes, prostitutes, or others excluded by polite society.
  • This was a serious social and religious condemnation. It showed Jesus' willingness to bridge social divides and minister to those considered outcast, rather than isolating Himself with the "righteous."
• Yet wisdom is proved right (καὶ ἐδικαιώθη ἡ σοφία, kai edikaiōthē hē sophia):
  • Wisdom (ἡ σοφία, hē sophia): Here, personified (often feminine in Greek and Hebrew, cf. Prov 8), referring to divine wisdom, which Christ embodies. It stands in contrast to the faulty judgments of "this generation."
  • Proved right/justified (ἐδικαιώθη, edikajothē): From dikaioō, meaning "to be declared righteous," "vindicated," or "shown to be just."
  • The truth of divine wisdom, as manifested in both John's and Jesus' ministries, ultimately cannot be gainsaid by human folly.
• by her deeds (ἀπὸ τῶν ἔργων αὐτῆς, apo tōn ergōn autēs):
  • Luke 7:35 uses "by her children" (teknōn), whereas Matthew uses "by her deeds" (ergōn). Both express the same truth: the authenticity of wisdom (and Jesus' ministry) is validated by its practical effects, visible fruits, and positive outcomes (e.g., healings, transformed lives, acceptance of the Gospel), rather than by superficial human judgments. The proof is in the results.

Matthew 11 19 Bonus section

The seemingly contradictory accusations against John the Baptist ("has a demon") and Jesus ("glutton and a drunkard") by the same generation reveal a deep-seated spiritual malaise and a predetermined resistance to God's overtures. Regardless of the form God's messenger took—whether austere or communal—the heart of "this generation" was unresponsive. This indicates that their criticisms were not based on genuine discernment but on an inherent prejudice against divine truth that challenged their comfortable self-righteousness. This narrative anticipates how human folly consistently misunderstands and rejects divine wisdom when it deviates from preconceived notions. The parallel structure of their accusations, one aimed at perceived lack of human pleasure and the other at perceived excess, shows that their condemnation was inevitable and rooted in their own spiritual condition, not in the conduct of John or Jesus.

Matthew 11 19 Commentary

Matthew 11:19 masterfully distills the deep misunderstanding and rejection faced by both John the Baptist and Jesus. While John’s asceticism led to accusations of demonic influence, Jesus’ more approachable lifestyle, especially His compassionate embrace of outcasts like tax collectors and sinners, drew the scornful labels of "glutton" and "drunkard." These charges were not just social slights but were designed to invalidate His message and ministry by questioning His character and adherence to religious standards. Jesus, by intentionally identifying as "the Son of Man" here, implicitly claims divine authority even while experiencing such human opprobrium, paralleling His humble lifestyle with His exalted calling.

The pivotal statement, "Yet wisdom is proved right by her deeds," functions as a powerful theological retort. It shifts the basis of validation from superficial observation and slander to genuine, observable impact. True wisdom, embodied by Jesus Christ, does not seek validation from the self-righteous but is ultimately justified by its outcomes: the kingdom proclaimed, the sick healed, the repentant welcomed, and lives transformed. The superficial judgment of those who refuse to respond to divine truth will be exposed by the undeniable evidence of God's work. It serves as a reminder that the genuineness of a ministry or a life is found not in its conformity to human expectations but in its fruit, demonstrating its alignment with God's ultimate wise plan.

• Example 1: When critics condemned Jesus for healing on the Sabbath, the true wisdom of His compassion and God's desire for human well-being was demonstrated by the healed individual, not by legalistic objections.
• Example 2: A ministry that faces criticism for prioritizing the marginalized will ultimately be justified by the lives it touches and the gospel it proclaims effectively, rather than by the praise of those focused on tradition over love.