Mat 11:18-19 | NETfull | STEP | For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’

Matthew 11:18-19

18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’ ^{▼▼ John the Baptist was too separatist and ascetic for some, and so he was accused of not being directed by God, but by a demon.} 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him, ^{▼▼ Grk “Behold a man.”} a glutton and a drunk, a friend of tax collectors ^{▼▼ See the note on tax collectors in 5:46.} and sinners!’ ^{▼▼ Neither were they happy with Jesus (the Son of Man), even though he was the opposite of John and associated freely with people like tax collectors and sinners. Either way, God’s messengers were subject to complaint.} But wisdom is vindicated ^{▼▼ Or “shown to be right.”} by her deeds.” ^{▼▼ Most witnesses (B² C D L Θ f¹ 33 Maj. lat) have “children” (τέκνων, teknōn) here instead of “deeds” (ἔργων, ergōn), but since “children” is the reading of the parallel in Luke 7:35, scribes would be motivated to convert the less colorful “deeds” into more animate offspring of wisdom. Further, ἔργων enjoys support from א B* W (f¹³) as well as early versional and patristic support.}