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Explanation for:
Matthew
11
:
19
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.
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Why was the Son of Man not satisfied with their consumption of food? One among you has labeled Him as being possessed by a demon, while another has called him a glutton and a wine-bibber. Since you refused to accept either of these forms of discipline, wisdom has been validated in her children, signifying God's wisdom and teaching in those who embraced them. Observe that I, the embodiment of God’s power and wisdom as stated in 1 Cor. 1:24, acted in accordance with the discernment of His disciples, to whom the Father revealed truths hidden from the so-called wise and understanding, according to their own self-assessment, as noted in 17:7-8 and Matt. 11:25. In certain Gospel accounts, it is mentioned that Wisdom is vindicated by her actions (Lk. 7:35)—indicating that Wisdom does not seek justification through mere words but demonstrates it through deeds."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The Son of Man has come, as noted in Matthew 11:17. Therefore, what defense can you present? This is why the Savior remarked: And wisdom shall be justified of her children. This means that even if you remain skeptical, you can no longer cast blame upon Me. As the prophet states regarding God the Father: that thou mayest be justified in Thy words (Psalm 50:6). Although God may not see the results of His love for us, He does everything possible to ensure that those lacking shame have no grounds for foolish doubts. Do not be taken aback that the Lord employs simple and unrefined comparisons; He did so to align with the limitations of His listeners. Similarly, Ezekiel frequently uses analogies that resonate with the Jewish people but may not fully capture the grandeur of God. This reflects God's particular concern for our understanding. Notice how the Jews become ensnared in conflicting views. When they accused John of having a demon, it was not enough; they further claimed the same about Jesus, who took a different path. Thus, they continuously fell into contradictory beliefs! Additionally, Luke, the Evangelist, presents a more compelling charge, stating: ‘The tax collectors justified God by receiving John's baptism (Luke 8:29)."},{"author-name":"Basil the Great","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c889927158e4af30595484_Basil%20the%20Great.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"In the Scriptures, it is common to refer to the unrighteous by their transgressions rather than by their lineage, while the virtuous are often named for the qualities that set them apart. He identified those versed in theology as the offspring of wisdom, declaring: And wisdom shall be justified from her children."},{"author-name":"Ambrose of Milan","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88871ceef8c96e0998cd0_Ambrose%20of%20Milan.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"What Matthew conveyed in broad strokes, St. Luke elaborated on with clarity. Matthew states, \\"And Wisdom is glorified by her children\\" (Matthew 11:19). Here, we discern the essence of Wisdom, as St. Luke indicates that they glorified God. Thus, God embodies Wisdom, for Wisdom is the Son of God (1 Cor. 1:30), inherently wise rather than learned. Wisdom represents the might of God the Father, contrasting with wisdom as an attribute of the soul: the former is begotten, while the latter is created. The initial Wisdom generates, whereas the second is a product of creation, as it pertains to the soul's capacity for wise reasoning and deep feelings. These are innate gifts, yet the One who created them is uncreated; He is the Creator, which is not a nature-given gift but rather the Source of all gifts.\\n\\nIn the sacrament of Baptism, God Himself is glorified when individuals, acknowledging their sins, receive a petition, as it is written: \\"Say your iniquities, that you may be justified\\" (Isaiah 43:26). He is glorified because people do not arrogantly spurn God's gift, but graciously receive it, for the Lord is just and has loved righteousness (Psalm 10:7). God is exalted because He bestows His gifts not on the dishonorable and wicked but upon those who, having been cleansed, are rendered innocent and righteous. Therefore, we honor the Lord so that we may receive commendation from Him.\\n\\nLet us examine more thoroughly what it signifies to glorify God. The apostle asserts: God is faithful, yet every man is deceitful, as it is written: \\"You are righteous in Your words and will prevail in Your judgement\\" (Rom. 3:4, cf. Ps. 115:2, Ps. 50:6). David likewise states: \\"To You alone have I sinned and done evil before You, since You are righteous in Your words and will prevail in Your judgement\\" (Ps. 50:6). Hence, the individual who sins and confesses their sin to God honors God, acknowledging His triumph and hoping for His mercy. Therefore, God is glorified in baptism, for in baptism there is both confession and forgiveness of sins.\\n\\nLet us not overlook God's will as the Pharisees did. God's will is manifested in John's baptism. Is there any doubt that God's will lies within the baptism of Christ? This will, revealed by the angel of the great council, was unknown to any man, for \\"who hath known the mind of the Lord?\\" (Isaiah 40:13; Romans 11:34). Just as no one disregards a person’s will, who can dismiss the will of God? Thus, like children, let us honor our Mother and follow her guidance! We understand that a mother risks herself for her offspring. Let us yield to the design of Mother Wisdom and heed her commands."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"The existence of Christ serves as a call to all, reflecting the Lord's welcoming nature as He sought to redeem everyone. He proclaimed the Kingdom without the strictness that characterized John. Indeed, wisdom is validated by its results. The Lord mentions that while you may find the lives of both John and Me unappealing, your rejection of every path to salvation demonstrates My righteousness. You lack any justification and are destined for condemnation, for I have accomplished all that needs to be done. Your disbelief reveals the truth of My words, as I have left nothing unaddressed."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"The Son of Man came, eating and drinking; and it is said, ‘Look, here is a man who delights in eating and drinking wine, a companion of tax collectors and sinners’ - See Matthew 11:18. The wisdom of God is acknowledged by her offspring. Justified, meaning deemed righteous or worthy of admiration, is the Divine wisdom that orchestrated Christ and John to follow different, even opposing paths for the ultimate benefit of humanity. This is worthy of admiration from her offspring, those who grasp her truth; and the offspring of wisdom are those who are wise. Alternatively, justified means acknowledged as righteous and faultless, for she fulfilled all that was required of her and employed every available means for their salvation."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"\\"Eats and drinks\\": Unlike a Nazarene who refrains from certain foods and wine like John, He is criticized here for indulging in them beyond what the severity of the Baptist's message would allow (they mourned, but He did not grieve). St. Chrysostom offers a different interpretation of this passage, suggesting that 'we' refers to Christ and John, while 'you' refers to the Jews. Jesus declared: 'we played the whistle unto you, and ye danced not,' meaning I lived an austere life, yet you did not yield to Me; and, 'we sang sad songs unto you, and ye did not weep,' indicating that John lived in strictness, but you ignored him. It is not surprising that the Lord employed simple and unflattering comparisons; He spoke in a manner suited to the frailties of His audience. Ezekiel often utilized illustrations fitting for the Jews, even though they did not align with the grandeur of God; this reflects God's particular concern for us. John’s life is an embodiment of lamentation, marked by his sternness in both words and deeds, while Christ’s life is akin to joyful music, as He engaged warmly with all, accommodating every person. John's diet was austere and rare: he consumed neither bread nor wine. In contrast, Christ's meals were ordinary: He partook in bread and wine. The herald of repentance exemplified sorrow and mourning, whereas the Bestower of forgiveness embodied cheer and joy. \\n\\n\\"Wisdom is justified by her children\\": The offspring of wisdom are the discerning, those who properly interpret realities, occurrences, and their interconnections. Genuine divine wisdom, manifested in the life and ministry of John and vividly in the incarnate Wisdom—Jesus Christ—is 'justified'—acknowledged as true wisdom—by its followers, those who pursue, cherish, and possess it. They are justified because they did not succumb to misguided views of Christ and John, as the contemporaneous Jews did; they recognized the true nature of the Messiah and His precursor. St. Chrysostom and Theophylact also propose an alternative meaning of 'justified' in this context: 'even if you remain unconvinced, you can no longer blame me.' Similarly, the prophet affirms of God the Father: 'that thou mayest be justified in thy words' (Psalm 50:6). Though God may not see the fruits of His care, He does everything on His end to ensure that no shameless individual can find any ground for baseless skepticism. \\n\\nWhen He states that neither John's lifestyle nor His own pleases you, and you dismiss all paths to salvation, then I—the embodiment of divine wisdom—am justified, not in relation to the Pharisees, but in regard to my followers, leaving you without any excuse. I have fulfilled all requirements; your disbelief serves as evidence that I have left nothing undone."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Look, the SON OF MAN ARRIVES, EATING AND DRINKING; He consumes regular meals and doesn’t refuse wine; He is eager to share a modest meal with tax collectors and sinners out of love, aiming to attract them to Himself for their salvation. Yet, they are not pleased with Him, proclaiming, ‘HERE IS A MAN WHO ENJOYS EATING AND DRINKING WINE, A COMPANION TO TAX COLLECTORS AND SINNERS.’ What has been left undone to rescue these individuals? ‘What more must I do for My vineyard that I have not already done?’ (Isaiah 5:4). ‘John and I came from different perspectives and acted like hunters trying to capture an elusive creature, standing on either side, each employing his own method to drive it towards one of us. In the same way, we approached you; ‘we played a festive tune’ - I lived a life of simplicity, ‘yet you did not dance’, refusing to follow Me; ‘we sang mourning songs’ - John lived a rigorous and austere life, ‘but you did not weep’, ignoring him as well. We both aimed for the same outcome - your deliverance, even though our paths were divergent. You found neither my way nor John's pleasing. Do not be astonished,’ St. Chrysostom explains, “that the Lord resorts to simple and unrefined analogies,” likening Himself and His Forerunner to children playing songs or crying during their pastimes: ‘He speaks this way, accommodating Himself to the limitations of His audience. And the DIVINE WISDOM IS RIGHTEOUS through HIS CHILDREN,’ he concludes, “You can no longer bring accusations against Me, just as the prophet David says of My Father, ‘so You are righteous in Your judgment’” (Psalm 50:6). From His side, God has done everything necessary, as Chrysostom states, ‘to leave the reckless with no excuse for unfounded doubts,’ and the children of Wisdom—those who earnestly sought the path to salvation—demonstrated that it was indeed easy to discover; they placed their faith in Christ, the incarnate Wisdom of God, thus revealing that the other Jews had the opportunity to believe, but chose not to."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Jesus, the Son of Man, did not come to seek out the righteous but to engage with tax collectors and sinners, aiming to have fellowship with them and guide them continually. He willingly shared meals with them, enjoying their company over food and drink. This behavior led the Pharisees and interpreters of the law to conclude that if the Messiah was expected to avoid association with such people, then Jesus could not possibly be the Messiah. They argued that if He was indeed a prophet, He should follow in the tradition of the prophets of the Old Testament. Jesus offered the promise of eternal joy in the kingdom of heaven, declaring, \\"Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven\\" (Matthew 5:12). However, the people did not celebrate, similar to children who do not dance when their companions play a lively tune. And wisdom is vindicated by all her offspring. Blessed Theophylact explains this statement by saying that when neither the lifestyle of John nor that of Christ was acceptable to them and they rejected all paths to salvation, then Christ, the embodiment of God's Wisdom, would stand justified, not in front of the Pharisees, but before His faithful followers. Those who deny this wisdom would face condemnation: “For I on my part have fulfilled all things, and you prove by your unbelief that I am right, as having omitted nothing.” Bishop Michael notes that \\"the children of wisdom are the wise, those who genuinely understand the nature of things, events, and their interconnections. The true divine wisdom, as manifested in the lives of John and especially in the incarnate Word, Jesus Christ, is validated by its followers—those who pursue, cherish, and embrace it; validated particularly due to their clarity in recognizing the true significance of John and Jesus, contrary to the misjudgments of the Jewish leaders.\\" Some interpreters suggest that wisdom refers here to the well-known adage about children playing music and lamenting. This view is similarly supported by Anthony, Archbishop of Volhynia. If we accept that folk wisdom is often captured in sayings and proverbs, the reference Christ makes about the children's games might well stem from such expressions. In doing so, this interpretation is valid, as the Pharisees, reflecting the sentiments of their community through their responses to John and Jesus, demonstrated the insight of folk wisdom articulated in this saying. This understanding may be more straightforward and accessible than those posited by Blessed Theophylact and Bishop Michael."}]}
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