{Wisdom is justified by her works} (edikai(9374)h(8820)apo t(936e)
erg(936e) aut(8873)). A timeless aorist passive (Robertson, _Grammar_,
p. 836f.). The word "justified" means "set right" Luke ( Lu
7:35 ) has "by all her children" as some MSS. have here to make
Matthew like Luke. These words are difficult, but understandable.
God's wisdom has planned the different conduct of both John and
Jesus. He does not wish all to be just alike in everything. "This
generation" (verse  16 ) is childish, not childlike, and full of
whimsical inconsistencies in their faultfinding. They exaggerate
in each case. John did not have a demon and Jesus was not a
glutton or a winebibber. "And, worse than either, for philos is
used in a sinister sense and implies that Jesus was the comrade
of the worst characters, and like them in conduct. A malicious
nickname at first, it is now a name of honour: the sinner's
lover" (Bruce). Cf.  Lu 15:2 . The plan of God is justified by
results.