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.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The harsh accusations against Jesus – glutton, drunkard, friend of sinners – reveal a generation so determined to find fault that they twist even His efforts at connection into something sinister. Yet, Jesus immediately pivots, declaring that true wisdom isn't judged by such twisted perceptions, but is ultimately vindicated by its authentic outcomes and those who truly recognize and follow it.
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.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is responding to the criticism of both John the Baptist and himself, contrasting their different approaches to ministry. While John was austere and drew criticism for his strictness, Jesus engaged with people more freely, even dining with "tax collectors and sinners," which also drew harsh judgment. Both figures, despite their contrasting lifestyles, were messengers of God's wisdom, and their true impact would be revealed by those who embraced their message.
When Jesus and John the Baptist lived very differently, people couldn't agree on how to judge them. How could both their lives be seen as right?
The people of Jesus' day couldn't make up their minds about Him and John. John lived an austere life, and they called him demon-possessed. Jesus, on the other hand, embraced common life, eating and drinking with people, and they labeled Him a glutton and a drunkard, a friend to sinners. This shows how people can twist even the most upright actions to fit their own biases and preconceived notions. They weren't looking for truth; they were looking for reasons to reject.
The Impossible Standard
Even when accused, true wisdom doesn't need to defend itself. Its own outcomes speak for themselves.
The phrase 'Wisdom is justified by her children' is a powerful statement about how divine wisdom is validated. It’s not about winning arguments or changing the minds of critics. Instead, it’s about the lasting, positive impact that wisdom has.
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The Vindication of Wisdom
Understand the original words
ho huios tou anthropou · Greek Noun phrase
A title Jesus used for himself, rooted in Daniel 7:13-14, emphasizing his humanity while also pointing to his messianic authority, divine origin, and role as the future judge of the world.
phagos · Greek Noun
One who consumes excessive food, used in the Gospels as a term of derision by critics to attack Jesus' lifestyle, contrasting his social engagement with the asceticism of John the Baptist.
oinopotēs · Greek Noun
One who consumes excessive wine; a term of reproach used by the religious leaders against Jesus to cast doubt on his character and spiritual integrity.
hamartōlos · Greek Noun
A despised class of people in first-century Jewish society; tax collectors were viewed as collaborators with Rome, and "sinners" were those who flagrantly violated the Torah. Jesus’ friendship with them demonstrated his mission to call the lost to repentance.
sophia · Greek Noun
God’s attribute and gift of divine insight into the right way to live and act, personified in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
dikaioō · Greek Verb
To show or prove something to be right, just, or true; in this context, it refers to the reality of Jesus' divine mission being vindicated by the fruit of his ministry and the integrity of his actions.
Jesus' ministry, unlike John the Baptist's austere approach, was characterized by social engagement, attending meals and interacting with people from all walks of life, including those considered 'sinners' and tax collectors. This contrast in styles led to criticism, with opponents labeling Jesus as a glutton and drunkard, and a friend to the undesirable elements of society. The verse highlights that true divine wisdom is ultimately vindicated not by the harsh judgments of critics, but by the positive outcomes and transformed lives of those who embrace it.
c. AD 27-30
John the Baptist's Ministry
John the Baptist preached a message of repentance and baptized people in the Jordan River, adopting an ascetic lifestyle and calling for a turning away from sin.
c. AD 28-30
Jesus' Public Ministry Begins
Jesus begins His public ministry, teaching, healing, and gathering disciples. His ministry contrasts with John's in its style and social engagement.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus attends a Feast
Jesus attends a meal, likely in Galilee, where tax collectors and sinners are also present. This event, or similar social engagements, becomes a point of criticism.
c. AD 30
Pharisaic Criticism of Jesus
Religious leaders, like the Pharisees, criticize Jesus for His association with 'sinners,' viewing His approach as too lenient and compromising with sin.
This passage describes how the common people and tax collectors, upon hearing John the Baptist's message, 'justified God,' while the Pharisees and lawyers rejected God's plan, highlighting the contrast between those who accept God's wisdom and those who don't.
Matthew 7:15-20Jesus teaches that true prophets and teachers are known by their fruits, paralleling the idea in Matthew 11:19 that wisdom (represented by Jesus and John) is justified by the 'deeds' or 'children' (the positive outcomes of their ministry).
Proverbs 8:32-36This passage speaks of Wisdom personified, urging listeners to hear her instruction and find blessedness, echoing the sentiment that true wisdom, despite rejection by some, is ultimately validated by those who embrace her.
1 Corinthians 1:20-25Paul contrasts the 'wisdom of the world' with the 'wisdom of God,' noting that the cross of Christ, considered foolishness by many, is God's power and wisdom to believers, aligning with how Jesus' actions and message were misunderstood but ultimately vindicated by His followers.
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 11:19: "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."
Verse 19. - The Son of man (Matthew 8:20, note) came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold (ἰδού, simply demonstrative, as in the LXX. of 1 Samuel 24:12; 2 Samuel 24:22) a man gluttonous (a gluttonous man, Revised Version, for the Greek, ἄνθρωπος φάγος, merely reproduced the original Semitic order), and…
The harsh accusations against Jesus – glutton, drunkard, friend of sinners – reveal a generation so determined to find fault that they twist even His efforts at connection into something sinister. Yet, Jesus immediately pivots, declaring that true wisdom isn't judged by such twisted perceptions, but is ultimately vindicated by its authentic outcomes and those who truly recognize and follow it.
Jesus is responding to the criticism of both John the Baptist and himself, contrasting their different approaches to ministry. While John was austere and drew criticism for his strictness, Jesus engaged with people more freely, even dining with "tax collectors and sinners," which also drew harsh judgment. Both figures, despite their contrasting lifestyles, were messengers of God's wisdom, and their true impact would be revealed by those who embraced their message.
Jesus is responding to the criticism of both John the Baptist and himself, contrasting their different approaches to ministry. While John was austere and drew criticism for his strictness, Jesus engaged with people more freely, even dining with "tax collectors and sinners," which also drew harsh judgment. Both figures, despite their contrasting lifestyles, were messengers of God's wisdom, and their true impact would be revealed by those who embraced their message.
"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.”" — The harsh accusations against Jesus – glutton, drunkard, friend of sinners – reveal a generation so determined to find fault that they twist even His efforts at connection into something sinister. Ye…
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Last reviewed October 2026