The Proof is in the Pudding...

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.” (Matthew 11:19 ESV) This is one of those "What does that mean?" verse in the Bible. Jesus has been explaining how the ministries He and John the Baptizer had were not as different as they might appear; they were on the same page. Both called for repentance and changed lives. Both were ridiculed by many observers. The last statement seals the deal: The wisdom of their words would be proven by the results; people would be changed. To add to the confusion of this verse, the last word, in other translations, is "children", following some of the other texts and historical translations. But that too is no problem, because the meaning is the same. The results of Jesus' ministry would prove the truth of the gospel, both by the things He did, and the spiritual Children that resulted - the changed lives He would leave behind.