What does it mean that wisdom is justified by her children (Matthew 11:19)?

Answer

Matthew 11 recounts an extraordinary depiction of John the Baptist and offers a significant reminder of God’s grace and understanding even amidst our moments of uncertainty. The passage concludes with the intriguing statement that wisdom is vindicated by her actions “The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”, (Matthew 11:19, NKJV).

John had faithfully fulfilled his role as the precursor to the Messiah, heralding the arrival of Jesus’ kingdom. However, instead of reaping the rewards of his efforts and the expected splendors of a newly established kingdom, John found himself imprisoned and facing imminent execution— the kingdom had not materialized as anticipated. It appears that due to his circumstances, he grappled with doubts and dispatched messengers to inquire of Jesus whether He was indeed the awaited One or if they should anticipate another “and asked Him, ‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?’”, (Matthew 11:3).

Jesus responded to John’s inquiry with compassion and reassurance, pointing out the miraculous works foretold of the Messiah that He was performing (Matthew 11:5-6). Following this impactful yet compassionate response, Jesus proceeded to emphasize the significance of John and his ministry. John was indeed a great prophet, but he was more than just a prophet (Matthew 11:7-9)— he fulfilled the prophecy of Malachi 3:1 and dutifully served as the herald to the Messiah, proclaiming the imminent kingdom. John would play a crucial role in that kingdom, even if.it wouldn’t come right away.

The response to the message of Jesus and John had been overwhelming: “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force” «And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. », (Matthew 11:12, NKJV). That is, there had been an extraordinary rush of people thronging to hear the gospel, and their eagerness to learn of the kingdom was so overwhelming it was as if they were attacking a city and beating down the doors to enter. Jesus pointed to John as the fulfillment of Malachi 4:6—John was the “Elijah” to precede the great and awesome day of the Lord «And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. », (Matthew 11:14). Jesus then chastises that generation for their inconsistent treatment of John and Himself, and He observes that “wisdom is justified by her children” «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, NKJV) or “wisdom is proved right by her deeds” (NIV).

That generation was inconsistent in their judgments. They behaved like children who wanted to but couldn’t control other children (Matthew 11:16-17). They critiqued John for not eating and drinking with other people «For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. », (Matthew 11:18), but when Jesus came eating and drinking with people, they critiquedCriticized Him for doing it «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). That generation was prideful, thinking they had the wisdom to judge rightly, but they illustrated the injustice of their judgments. In doing so, they failed to recognize the forerunner to the Messiah and thus failed to receive the Messiah and His kingdom.

When Jesus challenged His listeners that wisdom is justified by her children, He was saying that the soundness of wisdom can be judged by the fruit of that wisdom. The people of that generation thought they had sound wisdom and were prideful in their ability to discern and judge. But Jesus challenged their wisdom by looking at the “children” of their wisdom—what did their “wisdom” produce? Their deeds were woeful, as they failed to recognize both the forerunner of the Messiah and the Messiah Himself.

It is remarkable that those who had spiritual pride and confidence in themselves Jesus rebuked soundly, while the one who was struggling with doubt Jesus affirmed and encouraged. Jesus reminded John that He was the King and that John was the forerunner, but it was important not to stumble over the King and His methods «And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. », (Matthew 11:6). On the other hand, Jesus chastised those who had made arrogant and wrongful judgments against John and Jesus. This is an important reminder that God is patient with His children even when they are doubting, but God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble «But He gives more grace. Wherefore He says, God resists the proud, but gives grace unto the humble. », James 4:6. We should never be arrogant in our judgments but should develop our conclusions humbly and by seeking God’s wisdom revealed in His Word, just as Jesus was encouraging John to do.