Matthew 11:18
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The most striking thing here is Jesus' framing of John the Baptist's austere lifestyle. It wasn't just that John didn't eat or drink normally, but that this very strictness, a sign of his prophetic dedication, was twisted by his critics into evidence of demonic possession.
Jesus is likening this generation to unreasonable children playing in the marketplace who refuse to join in any game, no matter the tune played. He points to John the Baptist, who lived an austere, solitary life, yet was accused of having a demon, showing their refusal to accept even prophetic correction. This sets up the contrast with Jesus' own approach, which they also rejected.
John the Baptist lived an austere life, and people called him demon-possessed. Jesus lived a more social life, and they called Him a drunkard. What does this tell us about those who reject God's messengers?
Jesus uses a vivid analogy to describe the people of His generation who refused to accept either John the Baptist or Himself. They acted like children playing in the market, who were impossible to please.
Impossible to Please
John's Austerity: John the Baptist came living a life of extreme self-denial – eating only what was available in the wilderness and likely abstaining from wine. His severe lifestyle was a call to repentance, reflecting the seriousness of sin. Yet, people twisted this devotion, accusing him of being demon-possessed, implying he was unbalanced or mentally unsound. They saw his seriousness as a defect.
Jesus' Inclusivity: Jesus, on the other hand, engaged with people from all walks of life, including tax collectors and sinners, and enjoyed meals with them. This social engagement, a sign of His grace and humility, was also twisted. Critics called Him a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of sinners. They saw His approachability as a sign of moral compromise.
The Core Problem: The issue wasn't John's lifestyle or Jesus' lifestyle; it was the people's unwillingness to engage with God's message, regardless of how it was delivered. They had predetermined to reject God's messengers and His message, finding fault with whatever they did.
When God's messengers are rejected, who is ultimately being judged? Explore the concept of 'wisdom being justified by her children.'
The passage concludes with Jesus' statement, 'Wisdom is justified by her children.' This is a profound statement about how God's truth is ultimately validated.
How Wisdom is Proven True
Understand the original words
daimonion · Greek Noun
A person possessing a demon; used in the New Testament to describe someone under the influence or control of a fallen spiritual being, often attributed to those whose behavior or message was rejected by the religious establishment.
The verse highlights the deep societal division and spiritual blindness of the time, where even the starkly different ministries of John the Baptist (ascetic) and Jesus (social) were met with suspicion and condemnation by the religious establishment.
c. AD 28
John the Baptist's Ministry Begins
John the Baptist begins his public ministry in the wilderness of Judea, preaching a message of repentance and baptizing converts.
c. AD 28-29
Jesus Begins His Public Ministry
Jesus begins his ministry in Galilee, teaching, healing, and calling disciples, with great crowds following him.
c. AD 29
John the Baptist Imprisoned
John the Baptist is imprisoned by Herod Antipas for denouncing his marriage, indicating growing opposition from authorities.
c. AD 29— this verse
Jesus' Ministry Meets Resistance
Despite powerful miracles and teachings, many in the crowds and religious leaders reject Jesus' message, leading to his lament over the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum.
This verse directly parallels Matthew 11:18 by stating, 'For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.'' It reinforces the idea that John's ascetic lifestyle was met with accusations of demonic possession.
Matthew 11:19This verse immediately follows Matthew 11:18 and presents a stark contrast: 'The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’' This pairing highlights the unreasonableness of the generation, who criticized both John's austerity and Jesus's engagement.
John 7:20In this passage, Jesus is accused by the crowd, 'You have a demon.' This shows that the accusation of being demon-possessed was a common tactic used against Jesus and those associated with Him when people couldn't understand or accept their message or lifestyle.
Matthew 9:34Here, the Pharisees say of Jesus, 'He casts out demons by the prince of demons.' This demonstrates a pattern of attributing Jesus's divine work to demonic influence, mirroring the accusation against John in Matthew 11:18.
calvinMatthew 11:16-19: "But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,"
- But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children, who sit in the market-place, and call out to their companions, 17. And say, We have played on the flute to you, and you have not danced; we have sung mournful airs to you, and you have not lamented. 18. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. 19. Th…
pulpitMatthew 11:18: "For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil."
Verse 18. - For John came neither eating (Matthew 3:4) nor drinking (Luke 1:15), and they say, He hath a devil; i.e. he is possessed of strange and melancholy fancies (see Bishop Westcott on John 7:20).
The most striking thing here is Jesus' framing of John the Baptist's austere lifestyle. It wasn't just that John didn't eat or drink normally, but that this very strictness, a sign of his prophetic dedication, was twisted by his critics into evidence of demonic possession.
Jesus is likening this generation to unreasonable children playing in the marketplace who refuse to join in any game, no matter the tune played. He points to John the Baptist, who lived an austere, solitary life, yet was accused of having a demon, showing their refusal to accept even prophetic correction. This sets up the contrast with Jesus' own approach, which they also rejected.
Jesus is likening this generation to unreasonable children playing in the marketplace who refuse to join in any game, no matter the tune played. He points to John the Baptist, who lived an austere, solitary life, yet was accused of having a demon, showing their refusal to accept even prophetic correction. This sets up the contrast with Jesus' own approach, which they also rejected.
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Not by Popularity: Wisdom, in this context, refers to God's own wisdom and the divine plan unfolding through John and Jesus. The rejection by the 'generation' (the religious elite and their followers) doesn't negate this wisdom. It means the wise ones – those who truly understand and embrace God's ways – will eventually prove its worth.
By Those Who Respond: The 'children of Wisdom' are those who recognize and respond to God's truth, whether through John's call to repentance or Jesus' message of grace. The publicans and the common people who heard John and were baptized, and those who recognized Jesus' divine mission, were the ones 'justifying God' and showing that His wisdom was valid and effective.
A Contrast in Outcomes: Those who rejected God's messengers and His counsel (the Pharisees and lawyers) ultimately proved themselves to be foolish and resistant to divine truth. Their hardened hearts and refusal to be baptized by John shut them off from God's plan. The true 'children' of Wisdom, however, are those who are receptive and obedient, demonstrating the righteousness and validity of God's ways.
"For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’" — The most striking thing here is Jesus' framing of John the Baptist's austere lifestyle. It wasn't just that John didn't eat or drink normally, but that this very strictness, a sign of his prophetic…
