Bible Strands
Matthew 11:19
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.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks to the crowds and His disciples immediately after contrasting His communal ministry with John the Baptist’s fasting and before denouncing unrepentant cities.
The words — The verb ἦλθεν (ēlthen) means “came,” and the participles ἐσθίων καὶ πινών (esthiōn kai pinōn) translate literally as “eating and drinking,” describing Jesus’ physical participation in ordinary meals.
The thread — The text records this same pattern in Luke 7:34 and recalls the earlier account in Matthew 9:10 where Jesus dines with tax collectors and sinners.
Why it lands — The passage states that wisdom is proven by its visible results, requiring readers to evaluate Jesus’ mission by His actual conduct rather than by the labels His opponents applied.
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
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.
Cross-references
- Matthew 9:10 Later, as Jesus was dining at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with Him and His disciples.
- Luke 7:34 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at this glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’
- Luke 15:1 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were gathering around to listen to Jesus.
- Luke 19:7 And all who saw this began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinful man!”
- Luke 5:29 Then Levi hosted a great banquet for Jesus at his house. A large crowd of tax collectors was there, along with others who were eating with them.
- Luke 14:1 One Sabbath, Jesus went to eat in the home of a leading Pharisee, and those in attendance were watching Him closely.
- 1 Corinthians 1:24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
- Psalms 92:5 How great are Your works, O LORD, how deep are Your thoughts!
- Proverbs 17:24 Wisdom is the focus of the discerning, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.
- Luke 7:29 All the people who heard this, even the tax collectors, acknowledged God’s justice. For they had received the baptism of John.