The Son of Man came, eating and drinking, and they say, “Look, a man who eats and drinks, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” But the wisdom of God was recognized by her children.”
In this saying, Jesus points out the critical attitude that people were showing toward Him. If John the Baptist was criticized for his strict and restrained way of life, with the claim that “he has a demon in him,” then Jesus, who was social, took part in feasts, and ate and drank with people, was accused of drunkenness and of making friends with sinners. By calling Him a “friend of tax collectors and sinners,” people were trying to diminish Jesus’ authority, because He was not afraid to associate with those who were considered unclean and sinful. Yet at the end of all this Jesus says, “But the wisdom of God was understood by her children,” which means that God’s wisdom is recognized and confirmed through children by the results of His works. Jesus’ actions—His love toward sinners, His call to forgiveness, the miracles of healing—testify that His way is divine and is justified precisely by the life of His followers, the children of God, who have been changed and are being changed through His teaching.