Luke 7:34Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He partook of food and drink, while John abstained. As it is written, ‘John the Baptist is come, neither eateth bread, neither drinketh wine: and ye say, There is a demon in him. The Son of man came: he eats and drinks; and you say, Behold a man that loveth to eat and drink wine, a friend of publicans and sinners.’ Despite their contrasting actions, both shared one ultimate goal: the redemption of those who were lost.

When Mary and Martha welcomed Him in Bethany, one of them becoming overwhelmed with service, Christ did not encourage unnecessary excess but rather advocated for a simple approach. He said, 'Martha, Martha, thou art anxious and hasty about many things; but few things, or one thing, are required.' Such was His constant demeanor. Yet, you criticize Him for associating with publicans and sinners. Is this what offends you? What harm can possibly arise from Christ desiring to be with sinners? He was unaffected by their shortcomings, entirely beyond their grasp. One day He stated, 'Will the prince of this world come and find nothing in Me?' On another occasion, He asked, 'Which of you reproaches Me for sin?' Thus, He could not be tainted by the company of sinners.

You claim the Mosaic law forbids interaction with the unrighteous. However, let us explore the reasoning behind this command: it was meant to prevent the Israelites from mingling with the wicked and the deceitful. The reality is that Moses's law was instituted not to elevate oneself above others or to create a ground for boasting, but to protect those of weak minds prone to folly and susceptible to indulging in sinful pleasures. It aimed to shield you from the temptation to bond with those whose lives are marred by sin, so as to prevent you from mirroring their mindset and falling into their traps. 'For bad company corrupts good morals.' Therefore, this command serves as a safeguard against your vulnerabilities. Had you been firmly rooted in virtue, with a steadfast mind in reverence to God, the law would not have hindered you from engaging meaningfully with the weak, encouraging them to follow your example of righteousness, and guiding them toward greater excellence.

Do not entertain any lofty notions, as even the commandment of Moses exposes your frailty. You accuse Christ of mingling with sinners and tax collectors, fearing that He may succumb to their influence. Do you think He shares in your weaknesses? Are you not aware of the divine mysteries surrounding Him? The Word, who is God, became incarnate for our sake. The Father sent Him 'not to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.' Those who condemn must avoid the company of the sinful; yet those who seek salvation must engage with them, guiding and encouraging them to abandon their disgraceful ways in favor of the path that leads to everlasting life. 'He came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.' As He Himself expressed, 'The whole have no need of a physician, but the sick.'

Why then do you fault Him for His love toward all and criticize His divine compassion? Why reproach Him for healing our afflictions? All commend physicians, not for shunning the sick but for dedicating themselves to their recovery. Why, then, do you denounce Jesus, the Healer of souls, for rescuing the sinful? The sun shines upon all creation, illuminating the earth and occasionally revealing impurities, yet the source of its light remains uncontaminated even in the presence of such darkness. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Sun of righteousness; thus, the wicked do not defile Him, even when they are near Him.

We have discussed much regarding Christ, our Savior. However, some might argue, 'Does not the new and saving preaching of the gospel instruct us to avoid fellowship with the unclean? For the wise Paul wrote to some: ‘I wrote unto you in an epistle, that ye should not associate with fornicators: If any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or a drunkard, or covetous, or an extortioner, or an idolater, with such shall ye not eat.’ Therefore, it seems fitting for Christ to exemplify this behavior.' You have misjudged, my beloved! You seek to attain the sovereign grace of your Master, aspiring to that which exceeds your capacity. Consider the frailty of your own understanding. Christ was God, while you are merely a man susceptible to base desires, easily led astray into sin.

However, if you believe you can steadfastly uphold a blameless life and instruct others, nothing prevents you from choosing to associate with the immoral. Oftentimes, the presence of spiritually-minded individuals can aid those ensnared by sin. On the other hand, if you find it difficult to remain steadfast even when avoiding the company of the wicked, exercise caution. Recall the words of the Proverbs: 'He who walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.' Blessed David also reminds us: 'With the saints, you will become holy; and with the pure, you will become pure; with the elect, you will become elect; and with the crooked, you will become crooked.' To be rescued from such snares, flee from those who embrace evil; keep your distance from those who cannot escape defilement, and implore Christ to cleanse your shortcomings, or rather, all your human frailties. For the Word, who came from God, remains God, even as He became flesh, to whom and with whom be glory and power, with the Holy Spirit, forever and ever, Amen.

Isaiah also composed a song about his cherished vineyard, symbolizing the rebellious nation that would later fall from grace, even though it had once been fruitful with virtues. The Jews sang while their feet were touched by the flames, which did not burn them but rather purified them. Moreover, the wise Habakkuk, through song, uplifted the prevailing despondency and foretold the suffering of the Lord, which would bring sweetness to the faithful. Thus, the prophets offered spiritual songs to herald the promises of universal redemption. With their heartfelt lamentations, they softened the hardened hearts of the people of Israel.

It resembles children seated in the marketplaces, calling to their companions, saying, “Weep for you, and do not dance; weep for you, and do not weep.” The Lord Himself elucidated the significance of this metaphor: John arrived, neither eating nor drinking, living as a strict ascetic and Nazarene, and they labeled him as possessed by demons; the Son of Man came, partaking in meals and drinking, enjoying fellowship with others, yet they proclaimed, “Behold a man, a glutton and a wine drinker, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” The wisdom of God, manifested through diverse means, vindicated itself through its children—simple and faithful souls who embraced John's austere message of repentance alongside the uplifting good news of the Lord about the arrival of the gracious kingdom for their salvation.