Luke 7:35

Luke 7:35, in plain English

But Jesus concluded, 'Wisdom is proved right by all her children.' In the end, the results speak for themselves.

Why it's here

You can argue about methods all day, but changed lives are the ultimate proof. The fruit of God's work speaks louder than any critic.

Who's speaking

Jesus ends with a proverb about how truth is ultimately vindicated.

Where it sits in the story

Time tells the truth. The critics may be loud now, but wisdom's results will speak for themselves. Let your transformed life be the proof that God's way works.

The scholarly reading

The aphorism sophia edikaiōthē apo pantōn tōn teknōn autēs ("wisdom is vindicated by all her children") declares that God's wisdom — expressed through both John and Jesus — will be proven right by its results (its 'children').

Language and setting

Wisdom personified (a common Jewish motif) is vindicated not by arguments but by outcomes. Those transformed by John and Jesus are the living proof that God's strategy was wise.

Voice

Jesus concludes the discourse with a proverbial statement about wisdom's vindication.

Significance

The verdict on God's methods will come through results, not debates. The changed lives of tax collectors, sinners, and humble believers validate the wisdom of God's approach, regardless of the critics' complaints.

33For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon!’

34The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at this glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’

35But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”

36Then one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to eat with him, and He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table.

37When a sinful woman from that town learned that Jesus was dining there, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume.

Read all of Luke 7 — A Roman centurion's faith astonishes Jesus, a widow's dead son is raised, and a sinful woman's tears become an act of worship.