Bible Strands
Matthew 11:18
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses the crowds and his disciples immediately after comparing them to children who reject both celebration and mourning. He uses this moment to explain why the public condemned both John the Baptist and himself.
The words — ἦλθεν (ēlthen) translates literally to "came," and ἐσθίων (esthiōn) means "eating." These terms explicitly describe John’s physical arrival and his habitual refusal of ordinary meals.
The thread — Matthew 3:4 records John’s diet of locusts and wild honey, while Luke 1:15 notes his vow to abstain from wine and strong drink. Jesus directly contrasts this ascetic pattern with Matthew 11:19, where he comes eating and drinking and faces the opposite accusation.
Why it lands — The text states that the people labeled John’s severe self-denial as demonic possession. It requires the reader to acknowledge that divine messengers face condemnation regardless of whether they conform to or reject societal customs.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.
Cross-references
- Matthew 3:4 John wore a garment of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
- Luke 1:15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He shall never take wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb.
- Matthew 10:25 It is enough for a disciple to be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!
- John 10:20 Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and insane. Why would you listen to Him?”
- Jeremiah 15:17 I never sat with the band of revelers, nor did I celebrate with them. Because Your hand was on me, I sat alone, for You have filled me with indignation.
- John 8:48 The Jews answered Him, “Are we not right to say that You are a Samaritan and You have a demon?”
- Hosea 9:7 The days of punishment have come; the days of retribution have arrived—let Israel know it. The prophet is called a fool, and the inspired man insane, because of the greatness of your iniquity and hostility.
- John 7:20 “You have a demon,” the crowd replied. “Who is trying to kill You?”
- 2 Kings 9:11 When Jehu went out to the servants of his master, they asked, “Is everything all right? Why did this madman come to you?” “You know his kind and their babble,” he replied.
- Jeremiah 16:8 You must not enter a house where there is feasting and sit down with them to eat and drink.