John’s ascetic lifestyle offended people, yet when Jesus eats and drinks freely, they call him a glutton and a drunkard—like a rebellious son (Deuteronomy 21:20; Proverbs 23:20–21), who must be stoned (Deuteronomy 21:21). The Pharisees see Jesus as sinful for drinking with tax collectors and sinners (Luke 5:30;Luke 15:2; Luke 19:7). This generation accepts neither John’s call to repentance or Jesus’ message of joy.
When John the Baptist refrained from ordinary food and drink, the people took offence, and yet when Jesus’ ate and drank freely, they proceeded to call him a glutton and a drunkard. These words recall the behavior of the rebellious son (Deuteronomy 21:20; Proverbs 23:20–21), who had to be stoned (Deuteronomy 21:21). Even by Pharisaic standards Jesus was regarded as an apostate, since he ate and drank with tax collectors and sinners (Luke 5:30;Luke 15:2; Luke 19:7).1
In contrast to John the Baptist, Jesus comes not as an ascetic, but freely shares meals with wealthy tax collectors, and yet now they turn his festive fellowship into grounds for accusation against him, reviling him as a glutton, a drunkard, and a friend of sinners. This generation refuses to accept either John’s call to repentance or Jesus’ message of joy. Instead, they demand that both conform to their own shifting desires.2
19 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.”