Luke 3:7
Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
Original Language Analysis
Ἔλεγεν
said
G3004
Ἔλεγεν
said
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
1 of 18
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐκπορευομένοις
that came forth
G1607
ἐκπορευομένοις
that came forth
Strong's:
G1607
Word #:
4 of 18
to depart, be discharged, proceed, project
ὄχλοις
he to the multitude
G3793
ὄχλοις
he to the multitude
Strong's:
G3793
Word #:
5 of 18
a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot
βαπτισθῆναι
to be baptized
G907
βαπτισθῆναι
to be baptized
Strong's:
G907
Word #:
6 of 18
to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e., fully wet); used only (in the new testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordi
ὑπ'
of
G5259
ὑπ'
of
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
7 of 18
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 18
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Γεννήματα
O generation
G1081
Γεννήματα
O generation
Strong's:
G1081
Word #:
9 of 18
offspring; by analogy, produce (literally or figuratively)
ἐχιδνῶν
of vipers
G2191
ἐχιδνῶν
of vipers
Strong's:
G2191
Word #:
10 of 18
an adder or other poisonous snake (literally or figuratively)
τίς
who
G5101
τίς
who
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
11 of 18
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
ὑπέδειξεν
hath warned
G5263
ὑπέδειξεν
hath warned
Strong's:
G5263
Word #:
12 of 18
to exhibit under the eyes, i.e., (figuratively) to exemplify (instruct, admonish)
φυγεῖν
to flee
G5343
φυγεῖν
to flee
Strong's:
G5343
Word #:
14 of 18
to run away (literally or figuratively); by implication, to shun; by analogy, to vanish
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
15 of 18
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Matthew 23:33Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?Matthew 12:34O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.1 Thessalonians 1:10And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.Isaiah 59:5They hatch cockatrice' eggs, and weave the spider's web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper.Genesis 3:15And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.Hebrews 6:18That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:Acts 13:10And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?1 John 3:8He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.John 8:44Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Historical Context
Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism likely sought to investigate John's movement or gain popular support without genuine repentance. John's harsh language exposed their spiritual pride and false confidence in Abrahamic descent. His confrontation cost him his life but prepared hearts for Jesus's similar confrontations.
Questions for Reflection
- Why is warning of God's wrath essential to faithful gospel proclamation?
- How can we discern between genuine repentance and mere religious performance?
- What does John's boldness in confronting religious leaders teach about prophetic ministry?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
John's harsh address—'O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?'—demonstrates uncompromising confrontation of spiritual pride. 'Generation of vipers' (serpent's brood) echoes Genesis 3:15, identifying them with Satan's spiritual offspring. The rhetorical question 'who hath warned you?' implies skepticism about their motives—were they truly repentant or merely seeking fire insurance? John's reference to 'wrath to come' emphasizes eschatological judgment, making repentance urgent. This bold denunciation, particularly of religious leaders (Matt 3:7 specifies Pharisees and Sadducees), demonstrates that true prophetic ministry confronts sin even in the religious. John's language teaches that genuine gospel ministry includes warning of judgment.