Matthew 11:18
16 To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:
17 ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’
19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at this glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is vindicated by her actions.”
20 Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles had been performed, because they did not repent.
Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’
- KJV
- For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.
- WEB
- For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’
- ASV
- For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a demon.
- DARBY
- For John has come neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He has a demon.
- BLB
- For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’
- ÅB
- For Johannes kom og hverken spiste eller drakk; og de sier: ‘Han er besatt.’
- OTB
- For Johannes kom verken spisende eller drikkende, og de sier: ‘Han er besatt av en demon.’
- B1930
- For Johannes kom; han hverken åt eller drakk, og de sier: Han er besatt.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Matthew 3:4
John wore a garment of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
Read in contextLuke 1:15
for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He shall never take wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb.
Read in contextJohn 10:20
Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and insane. Why would you listen to Him?”
Read in contextMatthew 10:25
It is enough for a disciple to be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!
Read in contextJohn 8:48
The Jews answered Him, “Are we not right to say that You are a Samaritan and You have a demon?”
Read in contextJeremiah 15:17
I never sat with the band of revelers, nor did I celebrate with them. Because Your hand was on me, I sat alone, for You have filled me with indignation.
Read in contextJohn 7:20
“You have a demon,” the crowd replied. “Who is trying to kill You?”
Read in contextHosea 9:7
The days of punishment have come; the days of retribution have arrived— let Israel know it. The prophet is called a fool, and the inspired man insane, because of the greatness of your iniquity and hostility.
Read in context