---
title: Matthew 11:19
url: https://jw-apologetics.app/verses/matthew-11-19/
markdown: https://jw-apologetics.app/verses/matthew-11-19.md
type: verse
perspective: Protestant (historic Nicene) response to Jehovah's Witness teaching
reference: Matthew 11:19
testament: NT
section: Gospels
index: https://jw-apologetics.app/llms.txt
---

# Matthew 11:19

## Text (Berean Standard Bible)

> 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.”

## JW Usage

JWs acknowledge that Jesus associated with sinners to preach to them but argue this was temporary, purpose-driven engagement rather than ongoing social fellowship. The Watchtower maintains that regular social contact with disfellowshipped persons — even family members — undermines congregational purity and risks spiritual contamination. Jesus' practice is framed as exceptional apostolic authority, not a model for ordinary Witnesses.

## Protestant Usage

Jesus was called "a friend of tax collectors and sinners" (Matthew 11:19) — and he did not deny it. He attended their dinners (Matthew 9:10), called them to discipleship (Matthew 9:9), and defended his practice against Pharisaic critics who insisted on separation. When challenged, Jesus quoted Hosea 6:6: "I want mercy, not sacrifice" (Matthew 9:13). Paul's instruction in 2 Thessalonians 3:15 — "continue admonishing him as a brother" — presupposes ongoing contact, not total severance. The verb "admonish" requires a relationship. The Watchtower's shunning policy more closely resembles the Pharisees' separationist instinct than Jesus' own practice of pursuing the marginalised with compassion and shared meals.

## Arguments Using This Verse

- [Admonish Him as a Brother — The Verse That Undoes Shunning](https://jw-apologetics.app/arguments/shunning-admonish-as-brother.md) — 2 Thessalonians 3:14–15 / 2 Corinthians 2:6–8 / Matthew 18:17 [Practice]
- [No Biblical Warrant for Family Shunning](https://jw-apologetics.app/arguments/shunning-family-no-biblical-warrant.md) — 1 Timothy 5:8 / Luke 15:4–7 / Matthew 9:10–13 [Practice]
- [James 2:22-24 — 'Not by Faith Alone'](https://jw-apologetics.app/arguments/james2-22-completed-by-works.md) — eteleiōthē, pistei monon, and the vindication reading [Salvation]
- [When 'Bad Associations' Becomes a Categorical Ban](https://jw-apologetics.app/arguments/worldly-association-1cor15-categorical.md) — 1 Corinthians 15:33 — A Greek Proverb About Resurrection Deniers, Not All Outsiders [Practice]