Devine Scripture

Matthew 11:19

What does Matthew 11:19 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 11:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 11:19 means

In direct contrast to John, Jesus described himself as the Son of Man who "came eating and drinking," participating in normal social life. Yet, this generation also rejected him, labeling him a "gluttonous man and a winebibber," and associating him with "publicans and sinners." Despite their differing approaches, both John and Jesus faced similar accusations from this spiritually hardened generation. Jesus concludes that "wisdom is justified by her works," implying that true wisdom is proven not by human opinion, but by the undeniable evidence of God's work, fulfilled through John and himself.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold, a gluttonous man and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! And wisdom is justified by her works.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold, a gluttonous man and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! And wisdom is justified by her works.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

The Son of man has come feasting, and they say, See, a lover of food and wine, a friend of tax-farmers and sinners! And wisdom is judged to be right by her works.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, Lo, a man, a glutton, and a wine-drinker, a friend of tax-gatherers and sinners, and wisdom was justified of her children.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say: Behold a man that is a glutton and a wine drinker, a friend of publicans and sinners. And wisdom is justified by her children.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

The Son of man has come eating and drinking, and they say, Behold, a man [that is] eating and wine-drinking, a friend of tax-gatherers, and of sinners: — and wisdom has been justified by her children.

Context

This verse continues the application of the analogy, contrasting Jesus' more accessible lifestyle with John's austerity, and shows that both were met with rejection by the same generation. It solidifies the idea that the generation was simply unwilling to respond, regardless of the messenger or method. The concluding statement about wisdom sets up a transition to Jesus' condemnation of cities that witnessed his works yet remained unrepentant.

v.18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a demon.

v.19This passage

v.20Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Psalms 92:5

    How great are thy works, O Jehovah! Thy thoughts are very deep.

  • Luke 15:1

    Now all the publicans and sinners were drawing near unto him to hear him.

  • Luke 7:34

    The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold, a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!

  • Luke 5:29

    And Levi made him a great feast in his house: and there was a great multitude of publicans and of others that were sitting at meat with them.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:24

    but unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

  • Luke 7:29

    And all the people when they heard, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.

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