King James Version

What Does Matthew 11:19 Mean?

Matthew 11:19 in the King James Version says “The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans ... — study this verse from Matthew chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Matthew 11:19 · KJV


Context

17

And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.

18

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.

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.

20

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

21

Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners.' In stark contrast to John's asceticism, Jesus participated normally in social life—attending feasts (John 2:1-11, Luke 7:36-50, 14:1-24, 19:1-10), eating and drinking with various groups including notorious sinners. Yet critics accused Him of gluttony and alcoholism—charges as false as those against John. Jesus's point: the same people rejected both John's asceticism and His normal social participation. The real issue wasn't behavior but hardness of heart. They rejected God's messengers regardless of how those messengers lived. The phrase 'friend of publicans and sinners' was meant as insult but became beautiful truth: Jesus genuinely befriended outcasts, demonstrating God's grace. Reformed theology sees this as the incarnation's scandal: God entered fully into human life, associating with sinners (while remaining sinless, Hebrews 4:15) to save them. Critics misconstrued His gracious condescension as moral compromise.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Tax collectors (publicans) were Jews who collected taxes for Rome—considered traitors and extortioners. 'Sinners' included prostitutes, criminals, and the ritually unclean—'people of the land' (am ha'aretz) whom Pharisees avoided. Jesus's table fellowship with such people was scandalous: shared meals signified acceptance and fellowship. Rabbis taught that eating with sinners conveyed ritual impurity. Jesus deliberately broke these barriers, demonstrating that the gospel welcomes the outcast and transforms sinners. Luke records specific instances: eating with Levi/Matthew (Luke 5:29-32), Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10), Simon the Pharisee's house where a prostitute anointed Him (Luke 7:36-50). In each case, religious authorities criticized His associations. Yet these associations demonstrated the gospel: Christ came to call sinners to repentance (Matthew 9:13), not to maintain comfortable distance from them. The early church struggled to maintain this balance: welcoming sinners without condoning sin, showing grace without compromising holiness.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you balance Jesus's example of befriending sinners with the biblical call to holy living and separation from sin?
  2. What groups of 'publicans and sinners' do Christians today tend to avoid or judge rather than welcome as Jesus did?
  3. How does this verse challenge both legalistic avoidance of sinners and antinomian tolerance of sin?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 27 words
ἦλθεν1 of 27

came

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

2 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

υἱὸς3 of 27

The Son

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

τοῦ4 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἄνθρωπος5 of 27

a man

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

ἐσθίων6 of 27

eating

G2068

used only in certain tenses, the rest being supplied by g5315; to eat (usually literal)

καὶ7 of 27

But

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

πίνων8 of 27

drinking

G4095

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

καὶ9 of 27

But

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

λέγουσιν10 of 27

they say

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

Ἰδού,11 of 27

Behold

G2400

used as imperative lo!

ἄνθρωπος12 of 27

a man

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

φάγος13 of 27

gluttonous

G5314

a glutton

καὶ14 of 27

But

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

οἰνοπότης15 of 27

a winebibber

G3630

a tippler

τελωνῶν16 of 27

of publicans

G5057

a tax-farmer, i.e., collector of public revenue

φίλος17 of 27

a friend

G5384

actively, fond, i.e., friendly (still as a noun, an associate, neighbor, etc.)

καὶ18 of 27

But

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἁμαρτωλῶν19 of 27

sinners

G268

sinful, i.e., a sinner

καὶ20 of 27

But

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐδικαιώθη21 of 27

is justified

G1344

to render (i.e., show or regard as) just or innocent

22 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

σοφία23 of 27

wisdom

G4678

wisdom (higher or lower, worldly or spiritual)

ἀπὸ24 of 27

of

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

τῶν25 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τέκνων26 of 27

children

G5043

a child (as produced)

αὐτῆς27 of 27
G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Matthew 11:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Matthew 11:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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