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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/matthew/11.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/matthew/11.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, &#8216He has a demon.&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/matthew/11.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />For John didn’t spend his time eating and drinking, and you say, ‘He’s possessed by a demon.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/matthew/11.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/matthew/11.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon!'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/11.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/11.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/11.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/11.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, &#8216He has a demon!&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/11.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/11.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/11.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For John came neither eating nor drinking [with others], and they say, ‘He has a demon!’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/11.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon! ’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/11.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For John did not come eating or drinking, and they say, He has a demon!&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/11.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a demon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/11.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />John the Baptist did not go around eating and drinking, and you said, "That man has a demon in him!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/11.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/11.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"John came neither eating nor drinking, and people say, 'There's a demon in him!'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/11.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />When John came, he fasted and drank no wine, and everyone said, 'He has a demon in him!' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/11.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Because John didn't come eating or drinking, yet people say, 'He has a demon!' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/11.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ?He has a demon!?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/11.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon!'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/matthew/11.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/11.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a demon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/11.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/11.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He has a demon;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon!'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/11.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a demon;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/11.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He has an evil spirit.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/11.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For John came neither eating nor drinking; and they say: He hath a devil. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/11.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For John came neither eating nor drinking; and they say, ‘He has a demon.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/11.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/11.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/11.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For John came, neither eating nor drinking, and they said he is crazy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/11.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />For Yohannan came who ate nothing and drank nothing, and they said: 'He has a demon.'<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/11.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />For John came, neither eating nor drinking, and they say: He has a demon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/11.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He has a demon.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/11.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/11.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />so John came with fasting and abstinence, and they say, he is mad.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/11.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.'<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/11.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>for John came neither eating nor drinking <Fr><i>as others do,</i><FR> and they say, He is beside himself:<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/11-18.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=2869" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/matthew/11.htm">Jesus Testifies about John</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">17</span>‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ <span class="reftext">18</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">For</a> <a href="/greek/2491.htm" title="2491: Iōannēs (N-NMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Joannes, the name of four Israelites.">John</a> <a href="/greek/2064.htm" title="2064: Ēlthen (V-AIA-3S) -- To come, go. ">came</a> <a href="/greek/3383.htm" title="3383: mēte (Conj) -- Nor, neither, not even, neither?nor. From me and te; not too, i.e. neither or nor; also, not even.">neither</a> <a href="/greek/2068.htm" title="2068: esthiōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- Strengthened for a primary edo; used only in certain tenses, the rest being supplied by phago; to eat.">eating</a> <a href="/greek/3383.htm" title="3383: mēte (Conj) -- Nor, neither, not even, neither?nor. From me and te; not too, i.e. neither or nor; also, not even.">nor</a> <a href="/greek/4095.htm" title="4095: pinōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- To drink, imbibe. A prolonged form of pio, which poo occurs only as an alternate in certain tenses; to imbibe.">drinking,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legousin (V-PIA-3P) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">they say,</a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: echei (V-PIA-3S) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">‘He has</a> <a href="/greek/1140.htm" title="1140: Daimonion (N-ANS) -- An evil-spirit, demon; a heathen deity. Neuter of a derivative of daimon; a d?Monic being; by extension a deity.">a demon!’</a> </span> <span class="reftext">19</span>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.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/7-33.htm">Luke 7:33</a></span><br />For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon!’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/1-6.htm">Mark 1:6</a></span><br />John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-6.htm">John 1:6-8</a></span><br />There came a man who was sent from God. His name was John. / He came as a witness to testify about the Light, so that through him everyone might believe. / He himself was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/5-35.htm">John 5:35</a></span><br />John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you were willing for a season to bask in his light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/3-4.htm">Matthew 3:4</a></span><br />John wore a garment of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/1-15.htm">Luke 1:15</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/1-8.htm">2 Kings 1:8</a></span><br />“He was a hairy man,” they answered, “with a leather belt around his waist.” “It was Elijah the Tishbite,” said the king.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/4-5.htm">Malachi 4:5</a></span><br />Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-3.htm">Isaiah 40:3</a></span><br />A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/13-4.htm">Zechariah 13:4</a></span><br />And on that day every prophet who prophesies will be ashamed of his vision, and he will not put on a hairy cloak in order to deceive.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/19-4.htm">1 Kings 19:4</a></span><br />while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/16-8.htm">Jeremiah 16:8</a></span><br />You must not enter a house where there is feasting and sit down with them to eat and drink.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/3-2.htm">Luke 3:2-3</a></span><br />during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. / He went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/3-28.htm">John 3:28</a></span><br />You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but am sent ahead of Him.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/17-12.htm">Matthew 17:12-13</a></span><br />But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him whatever they wished. In the same way, the Son of Man will suffer at their hands.” / Then the disciples understood that He was speaking to them about John the Baptist.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He has a devil.</p><p class="hdg">John.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/3-4.htm">Matthew 3:4</a></b></br> And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/15-17.htm">Jeremiah 15:17</a></b></br> I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with indignation.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/16-8.htm">Jeremiah 16:8,9</a></b></br> Thou shalt not also go into the house of feasting, to sit with them to eat and to drink… </p><p class="hdg">He.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/10-25.htm">Matthew 10:25</a></b></br> It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more <i>shall they call</i> them of his household?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/9-11.htm">2 Kings 9:11</a></b></br> Then Jehu came forth to the servants of his lord: and <i>one</i> said unto him, <i>Is</i> all well? wherefore came this mad <i>fellow</i> to thee? And he said unto them, Ye know the man, and his communication.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/29-26.htm">Jeremiah 29:26</a></b></br> The LORD hath made thee priest in the stead of Jehoiada the priest, that ye should be officers in the house of the LORD, for every man <i>that is</i> mad, and maketh himself a prophet, that thou shouldest put him in prison, and in the stocks.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/9-33.htm">Demon</a> <a href="/matthew/9-33.htm">Devil</a> <a href="/matthew/10-42.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-6.htm">Drinking</a> <a href="/matthew/9-11.htm">Eating</a> <a href="/matthew/10-8.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/matthew/10-10.htm">Food</a> <a href="/matthew/11-14.htm">John</a> <a href="/matthew/10-20.htm">Spirit</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/12-22.htm">Demon</a> <a href="/matthew/12-22.htm">Devil</a> <a href="/matthew/20-22.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/matthew/11-19.htm">Drinking</a> <a href="/matthew/11-19.htm">Eating</a> <a href="/matthew/12-22.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/matthew/11-19.htm">Food</a> <a href="/matthew/14-2.htm">John</a> <a href="/matthew/12-18.htm">Spirit</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 11</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/11-1.htm">John sends his disciples to Jesus.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/11-7.htm">Jesus' testimony concerning John.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/11-16.htm">The perverse judgment of the people concerning the Son.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/11-20.htm">Jesus upbraids Korazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/11-25.htm">and praising his Father's wisdom in revealing the Gospel to the simple,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/11-28.htm">he calls to him those who are weary and burdened.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/11.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/11.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>For John came neither eating nor drinking</b><br>John the Baptist's lifestyle was one of asceticism, which means he lived a life of strict self-denial and discipline. This is evident in his diet of locusts and wild honey and his clothing made of camel's hair, as described in <a href="/matthew/3-4.htm">Matthew 3:4</a>. His lifestyle was a deliberate contrast to the indulgence and excess often seen in the society around him. This ascetic approach was meant to symbolize repentance and a focus on spiritual matters over physical ones. John's lifestyle also fulfilled the prophecy of <a href="/isaiah/40-3.htm">Isaiah 40:3</a>, which speaks of a voice crying in the wilderness, preparing the way for the Lord. His abstinence from wine and strong drink aligns with the Nazirite vow described in <a href="/numbers/6.htm">Numbers 6:1-4</a>, which was a sign of dedication to God.<p><b>and they say, ‘He has a demon!’</b><br>Despite John's pious lifestyle, the people accused him of being possessed by a demon. This accusation reflects the spiritual blindness and hardness of heart prevalent among many of the religious leaders and people of that time. In Jewish culture, demon possession was often associated with madness or erratic behavior, and John's unconventional lifestyle may have seemed extreme to some. This accusation also highlights the rejection of God's messengers by those who were unwilling to accept their message. The rejection of John parallels the rejection of Jesus, as seen in <a href="/john/1-11.htm">John 1:11</a>, where it states that Jesus came to His own, but His own did not receive Him. This phrase underscores the theme of misunderstanding and rejection that both John the Baptist and Jesus faced during their ministries.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/john_the_baptist.htm">John the Baptist</a></b><br>A prophet and forerunner of Jesus Christ, known for his ascetic lifestyle and call to repentance. He is a central figure in this verse, as his lifestyle choices are being criticized.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>Although not directly mentioned in this verse, Jesus is the speaker and is contrasting His own reception with that of John the Baptist.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_people_of_israel.htm">The People of Israel</a></b><br>The audience to whom Jesus is speaking, particularly the religious leaders and those who rejected both John and Jesus.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wilderness.htm">The Wilderness</a></b><br>The place where John the Baptist conducted his ministry, symbolizing his separation from worldly indulgences.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/r/religious_leaders.htm">Religious Leaders</a></b><br>The Pharisees and Sadducees, who were often critical of both John and Jesus, representing the opposition to their ministries.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_misunderstanding_of_righteousness.htm">The Misunderstanding of Righteousness</a></b><br>People often misjudge true righteousness, as seen in their criticism of John’s ascetic lifestyle. We must be careful not to judge others based on superficial standards.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_inconsistency_of_human_judgment.htm">The Inconsistency of Human Judgment</a></b><br>The same people who criticized John for his abstinence also criticized Jesus for His engagement with sinners. This highlights the fickle nature of human judgment and the importance of seeking God's perspective.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_cost_of_prophetic_ministry.htm">The Cost of Prophetic Ministry</a></b><br>Like John, those who speak God's truth may face misunderstanding and opposition. Believers should be prepared for this and remain steadfast in their calling.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_discernment.htm">The Importance of Discernment</a></b><br>Believers must develop discernment to recognize God's work and His messengers, rather than relying on societal or cultural norms.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/living_a_life_set_apart.htm">Living a Life Set Apart</a></b><br>John’s lifestyle was a testament to his dedication to God. Christians are called to live lives that are distinct and reflective of their commitment to Christ.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_11.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 11</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_spirit_guides.htm">What are spirit guides?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_power_of_the_holy_spirit.htm">What is the power of the Holy Spirit?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_jesus_dismissive_to_the_woman.htm">Why does Jesus initially seem dismissive of the Syrophoenician woman, implying exclusion of Gentiles (Mark 7:24-30)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_christian_demonology.htm">What defines Christian demonology?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/11.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(18) <span class= "bld">He hath a devil.</span>--The phrase was a common one, asserting at once the fact of insanity, and ascribing it to demoniacal possession as its cause. (Comp. <a href="/john/7-20.htm" title="The people answered and said, You have a devil: who goes about to kill you?">John 7:20</a>; <a href="/john/8-48.htm" title="Then answered the Jews, and said to him, Say we not well that you are a Samaritan, and have a devil?">John 8:48</a>.) This was the explanation which the scribes gave of John's austerities. The locusts and wild honey were to them the diet of a madman.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/11.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 18.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For John came neither eating</span> (<a href="/matthew/3-4.htm">Matthew 3:4</a>) <span class="cmt_word">nor drinking</span> (<a href="/luke/1-15.htm">Luke 1:15</a>), <span class="cmt_word">and they say, He hath a devil</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> he is possessed of strange and melancholy fancies (see Bishop Westcott on <a href="/john/7-20.htm">John 7:20</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/11-18.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">For</span><br /><span class="grk">γὰρ</span> <span class="translit">(gar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> </span><span class="str2">For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">John</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἰωάννης</span> <span class="translit">(Iōannēs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2491.htm">Strong's 2491: </a> </span><span class="str2">Of Hebrew origin; Joannes, the name of four Israelites.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">came</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἦλθεν</span> <span class="translit">(Ēlthen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2064.htm">Strong's 2064: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come, go. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">neither</span><br /><span class="grk">μήτε</span> <span class="translit">(mēte)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3383.htm">Strong's 3383: </a> </span><span class="str2">Nor, neither, not even, neither?nor. From me and te; not too, i.e. neither or nor; also, not even.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">eating</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐσθίων</span> <span class="translit">(esthiōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2068.htm">Strong's 2068: </a> </span><span class="str2">Strengthened for a primary edo; used only in certain tenses, the rest being supplied by phago; to eat.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">nor</span><br /><span class="grk">μήτε</span> <span class="translit">(mēte)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3383.htm">Strong's 3383: </a> </span><span class="str2">Nor, neither, not even, neither?nor. From me and te; not too, i.e. neither or nor; also, not even.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">drinking,</span><br /><span class="grk">πίνων</span> <span class="translit">(pinōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4095.htm">Strong's 4095: </a> </span><span class="str2">To drink, imbibe. A prolonged form of pio, which poo occurs only as an alternate in certain tenses; to imbibe.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">they say,</span><br /><span class="grk">λέγουσιν</span> <span class="translit">(legousin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">‘He has</span><br /><span class="grk">ἔχει</span> <span class="translit">(echei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> </span><span class="str2">To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a demon!’</span><br /><span class="grk">Δαιμόνιον</span> <span class="translit">(Daimonion)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1140.htm">Strong's 1140: </a> </span><span class="str2">An evil-spirit, demon; a heathen deity. Neuter of a derivative of daimon; a d?Monic being; by extension a deity.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/11-18.htm">Matthew 11:18 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/11-18.htm">Matthew 11:18 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/11-18.htm">Matthew 11:18 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/11-18.htm">Matthew 11:18 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/11-18.htm">Matthew 11:18 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/11-18.htm">Matthew 11:18 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/11-18.htm">Matthew 11:18 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/11-18.htm">Matthew 11:18 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/11-18.htm">Matthew 11:18 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/11-18.htm">Matthew 11:18 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/11-18.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 11:18 For John came neither eating nor drinking (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/11-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 11:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 11:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/11-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 11:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 11:19" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>