New Testament · Gospel

Matthew 11:19

Come to Me

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at this glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is vindicated by her actions.” Matthew 11:19 · Berean Standard Bible
What It Means

Matthew 11:19, in plain English

Then Jesus came, eating and celebrating with people, and they called Him a glutton and a drunk who hangs out with the wrong crowd. But wisdom proves itself by the results it produces.

Why it's here

The critics could not be satisfied: too strict, or too social -- they always had an excuse. But Jesus trusts that the fruit of His life will speak for itself.

Who's speaking

Jesus speaks to the crowd.

Where it sits in the story

Jesus shows that critics will always find something to complain about. But here is the truth: real wisdom is proven not by critics' opinions but by the lives it transforms.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

In contrast, Jesus came 'eating and drinking' (esthion kai pinon) and was labeled a glutton (phagos), drunkard (oinopotes), and friend of tax collectors and sinners. Yet 'wisdom is vindicated by her deeds' (ergon).

Language and setting

The concluding aphorism -- wisdom justified by her works -- suggests that both John's and Jesus' ministries will ultimately be vindicated by their fruits, despite current rejection. The personification of Wisdom echoes Proverbs 8.

Voice

Jesus continues His application of the parable to the crowds.

Significance

Jesus completes the double standard: He came engaging with people and celebrating life, and was criticized for that too. But He trusts that time and results will prove both His and John's ministries right.

In context

Matthew 11:17–21

17‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’

18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’

19The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at this glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is vindicated by her actions.”

20Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles had been performed, because they did not repent.

21“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

Read all of Matthew 11 — John the Baptist doubts from prison. Cities refuse to repent. And in the middle of it all, Jesus offers rest to the weary.

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