Wisdom
is justified by all her children.
Luke 7:35
Luke 7 [31.] “To what then will I liken the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children who sit in the marketplace, and call to one another, saying, ‘We piped to you, and you didn’t dance. We mourned, and you didn’t weep.’ For John the Baptizer came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man, and a drunkard; a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Wisdom is justified by all her children.”
Luke 7 [36.] One of the Pharisees invited him to eat with him. He entered into the Pharisee’s house, and sat at the table. Behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that he was reclining in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of ointment. Standing behind at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head, kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “This man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and what kind of woman this is who touches him, that she is a sinner.”
Meaning:
This brief but profound statement by Jesus comes at the end of a discourse where He contrasts the reactions of the people to both His ministry and that of John the Baptist.
- Contrast with John the Baptist:
Luke 7:31-34: In the preceding verses, Jesus addresses the inconsistency of the people’s reactions to Him and John. John came living a life of severe asceticism, and people said he had a demon. Jesus came eating and drinking, and people called Him a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.
- Jesus’ Point:
Inconsistent Criticism: Jesus points out that no matter what approach was taken—John’s austere lifestyle or Jesus’ more inclusive one—the people found a way to criticize and reject them. This reveals a deeper issue of resistance to the message rather than legitimate concerns about the messengers.
Wisdom’s Vindication: By stating, "Wisdom is justified by all her children," Jesus asserts that true wisdom will be demonstrated and vindicated by its results, or "children," meaning the outcomes or followers of wisdom.
- Justification of Wisdom:
Vindication by Results: The phrase implies that true wisdom is validated by its outcomes. The lives transformed, the fruits borne, and the genuine changes brought about by following wisdom will demonstrate its validity.
Contrast with Superficial Judgments: People often judge based on superficial appearances or preconceived notions. Jesus emphasizes that the true measure of wisdom is in its tangible, positive effects.
- Children of Wisdom:
Followers and Outcomes: The "children" of wisdom can be understood as both the followers of wise teachings and the outcomes of living wisely. Those who live according to God’s wisdom will demonstrate through their lives the correctness of their choices.
Fruit of the Spirit: This concept aligns with the idea that the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and the visible impact of living according to God’s will serve as evidence of genuine faith and wisdom.
Theological Significance
- Jesus and John’s Ministries:
Complementary Approaches: Both John the Baptist’s call to repentance and Jesus’ message of grace and inclusion are part of God’s wisdom. They address different aspects of the same divine plan for humanity’s salvation.
Resistance to Truth: The criticism and rejection faced by both John and Jesus illustrate a broader human tendency to resist uncomfortable truths, regardless of the form in which they are presented.
- Divine Wisdom:
God’s Wisdom in Salvation: The verse highlights that God’s wisdom in the plan of salvation will ultimately be justified. Despite initial misunderstandings or rejection, the transformative power of the gospel will prove its divine origin and effectiveness.
Practical Applications
- Evaluating True Wisdom:
Look at the Fruits: In our own lives, we should evaluate teachings, practices, and beliefs by their fruits. Do they lead to love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control? (Galatians 5:22-23). This is how we can discern genuine wisdom.
Avoid Superficial Judgments: We must be cautious of making snap judgments based on appearances or societal expectations. True wisdom may sometimes challenge our preconceptions and require deeper understanding and reflection.
- Living Wisely:
Follow God’s Teachings: Living according to God’s wisdom means aligning our lives with His teachings. This involves daily commitment to prayer, study of Scripture, and practical application of biblical principles.
Be Witnesses to Wisdom: Our lives should testify to the wisdom of following Christ. The transformation in our character and actions should serve as a witness to others of the validity of God’s wisdom.
- Responding to Criticism:
Stay Focused on God’s Will: Like Jesus and John, we may face criticism for our faith and practices. Instead of being disheartened, we should remain focused on living out God’s will, knowing that the outcomes will ultimately vindicate our faith. Patience and Perseverance: Understand that the justification of wisdom may not always be immediate. Sometimes the fruits of wise living take time to manifest, requiring patience and perseverance.
Cross-References:
Matthew 11:19: "The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' But wisdom is justified by her children." This parallel passage in Matthew reinforces the same point about the validation of wisdom through its outcomes.
James 3:13: "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom." James emphasizes that true wisdom is demonstrated through good conduct and gentleness, aligning with the idea that wisdom is justified by its outcomes.
Proverbs 8:32-36: "Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise. Don’t refuse it. Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my doorposts. For whoever finds me, finds life, and will obtain favor from Yahweh. But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death." This passage from Proverbs personifies Wisdom, highlighting the blessings of following wise instruction and the consequences of rejecting it, resonating with Jesus’ teachings on wisdom.
Conclusion: Luke 7:35 encapsulates a powerful truth about the nature of wisdom: it is ultimately vindicated by its results. Jesus uses this statement to address the inconsistency and superficiality of the people’s judgments about His and John the Baptist’s ministries. By pointing out that wisdom is justified by her children, Jesus emphasizes that the true measure of wisdom is seen in the lives it transforms and the outcomes it produces.
For us today, this means we should seek to live wisely, following God’s teachings and allowing the fruits of our actions to demonstrate the validity of our faith. We should avoid superficial judgments and be patient, knowing that true wisdom will be vindicated in due time. This approach not only aligns us with divine principles but also serves as a powerful witness to the transformative power of God’s wisdom in our lives.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible