What does Matthew 11:19 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 11:19 is a part of Jesus' response to the criticisms directed at Him by some people of His time. They accused Jesus of being "a man gluttonous, and a winebibber," which implied that He was indulgent and pursued excesses, particularly in eating and drinking.

Furthermore, He was criticized for being a "friend of publicans and sinners," meaning He associated with outcasts and those deemed morally corrupt by the religious elite.

At face value, the verse describes the hypocrisy of Jesus' critics, who were dissatisfied no matter how a person came; John the Baptist came with asceticism and was rejected, and Jesus came with inclusivity and was also rejected.

The deeper meaning here revolves around judgment, hypocrisy, and understanding the true nature of wisdom, which is personified at the end of the verse with the phrase, "But wisdom is justified of her children." This suggests that the results or fruits of someone's work validate genuine wisdom, even if it is initially met with skepticism or ridicule.

Historical Context

During the time of Jesus, Jewish society had stringent social norms, and there was a clear delineation of who was considered righteous versus who was a sinner.

Tax collectors (publicans) were often despised because they were seen as collaborators with the Roman occupiers and often extorted their fellow Jews.

Sinners, in a broad sense, referred to those who were publicly acknowledged to be living in ways that contradicted the Law of Moses.

In this cultural setting, the Pharisees and other religious leaders kept strict boundaries on with whom they would associate, to maintain ritual purity and moral superiority.

Jesus, however, broke these societal norms by openly dining with sinners and tax collectors, demonstrating an inclusive approach to His ministry.

Theological Insights

Different theological perspectives have commented on this verse.

From a traditional Christian standpoint, this verse illustrates the principle that the actions and teachings of Jesus would not always be understood or appreciated by the people, but by their outcomes and fruits, His wisdom would be evident.

The liberal theological perspective might focus on the example Jesus set for inclusiveness and social justice, criticizing systemic inequalities and promoting a message that transcends legalistic righteousness.

Reformist theologians can point to this verse as evidence of how Jesus' approach was revolutionary in that it challenged established religious norms and expectations, suggesting a faith that is more concerned with the spirit than with the letter of the law.

Practical Applications

Practical applications of Matthew 11:19 suggest that individuals should not judge others based on external appearances or associations.

It underlines the importance of not allowing societal norms or the opinions of others to dictate whom we befriend or how we interact with society.

It also speaks to the value of being inclusive and accepting, following the example of Jesus.

The verse can also be perceived as an encouragement to live a righteous life, understanding that true wisdom and justification will come from the fruits - the positive outcomes of one's actions - rather than mere adherence to social expectations or legalistic morality.

Cross-References

• Matthew 9:10-11: “And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.

And when the Pharisees saw [it], they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?”

• 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 15:2: “And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.”

Language Study

In the original Greek of the New Testament, key words in Matthew 11:19 include:

• "Gluttonous" (Greek: φάγος, phagos): This term implies someone who is excessively fond of eating.
• "Winebibber" (Greek: οἰνοπότης, oinopotēs): A derogatory term for someone who drinks a lot of wine, implying drunkenness.
• "Publicans" (Greek: τελώνης, telōnēs): This term refers to a tax collector or toll collector in the Roman Empire.
• "Sinners" (Greek: ἁμαρτωλός, hamartōlos): Generally used to describe individuals who are perceived as being far from the religious standards set by the community.
• "Wisdom" (Greek: σοφία, sophia): This term denotes not only knowledge but also the right application of knowledge, or living in a wise manner.
• "Justified" (Greek: δικαιόω, dikaióō): Means to show or declare to be righteous or justified, especially in a legal or moral sense.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other ancient cultures, there were similar themes regarding wise leaders and their association with various social groups.

For instance, in some Greek philosophies, the idea existed that a truly wise person could be distinguished by their behavior and choices, rather than their adherence to societal norms alone.

Comparatively, in other religious traditions, the acts of dining and association also held significant weight in determining purity and moral standing. Hinduism, for example, has caste-based restrictions on dining.

In contrast, Jesus’ actions could be seen as aligning more closely with the teachings of someone like the Buddha, who also crossed social boundaries in his engagement with people from different walks of life.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, examining Jesus' behavior through the lens of sociology or anthropology might highlight the social implications of group identity and norms.

Modern behavioral sciences also recognize the psychological impacts of inclusion versus exclusion, which Jesus' practice of dining with sinners touches upon.

Furthermore, the concept of "wisdom being justified by her children" could be explored through the results-oriented approach seen in various fields, highlighting that the effectiveness of certain behaviors or practices is often validated through their outcomes.

Commentaries

Commentaries on Matthew 11:19 offer various insights:

• Classic Commentaries: John Calvin suggested that the purity of Christ’s actions was evident regardless of the false accusations, indicating that wrongful human judgment often contradicts God's wisdom.

• Modern Scholarly Commentaries: Scholars like D.A.

Carson often discuss the contrast between the reception of John the Baptist and Jesus, considering how both faced rejection despite their different methods.

• Practical Devotional Commentaries: Matthew Henry and other devotional commentators emphasize the grace of Jesus in associating with those who were marginalized, as well as the teaching that true righteousness is evidenced by the fruit of one's life, not just adherence to societal standards.