Matthew 3:7
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
Original Language Analysis
Ἰδὼν
when he saw
G1492
Ἰδὼν
when he saw
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
1 of 24
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
πολλοὺς
many
G4183
πολλοὺς
many
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
3 of 24
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Φαρισαίων
of the Pharisees
G5330
Φαρισαίων
of the Pharisees
Strong's:
G5330
Word #:
5 of 24
a separatist, i.e., exclusively religious; a pharisean, i.e., jewish sectary
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Σαδδουκαίων
Sadducees
G4523
Σαδδουκαίων
Sadducees
Strong's:
G4523
Word #:
7 of 24
a sadducaean (i.e., tsadokian), or follower of a certain heretical israelite
ἐρχομένους
come
G2064
ἐρχομένους
come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
8 of 24
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
ἐπὶ
to
G1909
ἐπὶ
to
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
9 of 24
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῖς
unto them
G846
αὐτοῖς
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 of 24
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
αὐτοῖς
unto them
G846
αὐτοῖς
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
14 of 24
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 #:
15 of 24
offspring; by analogy, produce (literally or figuratively)
ἐχιδνῶν
of vipers
G2191
ἐχιδνῶν
of vipers
Strong's:
G2191
Word #:
16 of 24
an adder or other poisonous snake (literally or figuratively)
τίς
who
G5101
τίς
who
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
17 of 24
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
ὑπέδειξεν
hath warned
G5263
ὑπέδειξεν
hath warned
Strong's:
G5263
Word #:
18 of 24
to exhibit under the eyes, i.e., (figuratively) to exemplify (instruct, admonish)
φυγεῖν
to flee
G5343
φυγεῖν
to flee
Strong's:
G5343
Word #:
20 of 24
to run away (literally or figuratively); by implication, to shun; by analogy, to vanish
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
21 of 24
"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 #:
22 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
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.Romans 1:18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;Matthew 23:33Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?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.Romans 5:9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.Matthew 16:6Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.Matthew 22:23The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,1 John 3:10In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.Jeremiah 51:6Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD'S vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence.Jeremiah 6:10To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the LORD is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it.
Historical Context
Pharisees were laymen zealous for Torah and oral tradition. Sadducees were priestly aristocrats who denied resurrection and angels. Despite their differences, both groups trusted in ethnic descent and religious performance rather than genuine repentance.
Questions for Reflection
- How does John's harsh rebuke challenge the assumption that religious heritage or position equals right standing with God?
- What is the difference between fleeing wrath out of fear versus repenting from genuine conviction of sin?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
John's denunciation of religious leaders as a 'generation of vipers' strips away their pretense of covenant privilege. The serpent imagery recalls Genesis 3 and Satan's deception, suggesting these leaders were the devil's children despite their religious pedigree (John 8:44). His question about who warned them implies their presence was insincere—fleeing future wrath without true repentance. This demonstrates that religious profession and heritage mean nothing without heart transformation.