CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 23:33 You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape the sentence of hell?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/23-33.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/40_Mat_23_33.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 23:33 - Woes to Scribes and Pharisees" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape the sentence of hell?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/matthew/23-33.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/matthew/23-33.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/matthew/">Matthew</a> > <a href="/matthew/23.htm">Chapter 23</a> > Verse 33</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad13.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/23-32.htm" title="Matthew 23:32">◄</a> Matthew 23:33 <a href="/matthew/23-34.htm" title="Matthew 23:34">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/matthew/23.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/23.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/matthew/23.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Snakes! Sons of vipers! How will you escape the judgment of hell?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/matthew/23.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/matthew/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape the sentence of hell?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/23.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Serpents! Offspring of vipers! How shall you escape from the sentence of Gehenna?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/23.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br /><i>Ye</i> serpents, <i>ye</i> generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />You snakes, you offspring of vipers, how will you escape the sentence of hell?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220You serpents, you brood of vipers, how will you escape the sentence of hell?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“You serpents, you brood of vipers, how shall you escape the sentence of hell?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />You serpents, you brood of vipers, how will you escape the sentence of hell?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />You serpents, you spawn of vipers, how can you escape the penalty of hell?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Snakes! Brood of vipers! How can you escape being condemned to hell?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />&#8220Snakes! Brood of vipers! How can you escape being condemned to hell? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Ye serpents, ye offspring of vipers, how shall ye escape the judgment of hell?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You are nothing but snakes and the children of snakes! How can you escape going to hell? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Ye serpents, ye offspring of vipers, how shall ye escape the judgment of hell?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"You snakes! You poisonous snakes! How can you escape being condemned to hell?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />You snakes and children of snakes! How do you expect to escape from being condemned to hell? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />You snakes, you children of serpents! How can you escape being condemned to hell? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />You snakes, you offspring of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/matthew/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />You serpents, you offspring of vipers, how will you escape the judgment of hell?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/23.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />O serpents, O vipers' brood, how are you to escape condemnation to Gehenna?<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape the sentence of hell?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />You serpents, you offspring of vipers, how will you escape the judgment of Gehenna? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Serpents! Brood of vipers! How may you escape from the judgment of Gehenna?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/23.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Serpents! Offspring of vipers! How shall you escape from the sentence of Gehenna?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'Serpents! brood of vipers! how may ye escape from the judgment of the gehenna?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Serpents, generations of vipers, how would ye flee from the judgment of hell?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />You serpents, generation of vipers, how will you flee from the judgment of hell? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />You serpents, you brood of vipers! How will you escape from the judgment of Hell?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />You serpents, you brood of vipers, how can you flee from the judgment of Gehenna?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />You snakes, you brood of vipers! How can you escape being sentenced to hell?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />O you serpents, and seed of scorpions! how can you flee from the judgment of hell?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/23.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />Snakes! Offspring of vipers! How will you escape from the judgment of Gehenna?<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/23.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />Serpents, generation of vipers, how can you escape the condemnation of hell?<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/23.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>Ye serpents, generations of vipers, how can you escape from the judgment of hell?<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/23.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Ye serpents, ye broods of vipers! how can ye escape from the damnation of hell?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/23.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />ye serpents, ye brood of vipers, how can ye escape the punishment of Gehenna?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/23.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />O serpents, O vipers' brood, how are you to escape condemnation to Gehenna?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/23.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>Serpents! broods of vipers! How can ye escape the judgment of Hell?<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/23.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>how can ye escape the damnation of hell?<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/23-33.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=6972" 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/23.htm">Woes to Scribes and Pharisees</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">32</span>Fill up, then, the measure of the sin of your fathers. <span class="reftext">33</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/3789.htm" title="3789: opheis (N-VMP) -- Probably from optanomai; a snake, figuratively, an artful malicious person, especially Satan.">You snakes!</a> <a href="/greek/1081.htm" title="1081: gennēmata (N-VNP) -- Offspring, child, fruit. From gennao; offspring; by analogy, produce.">You brood</a> <a href="/greek/2191.htm" title="2191: echidnōn (N-GFP) -- A serpent, snake, viper. Of uncertain origin; an adder or other poisonous snake.">of vipers!</a> <a href="/greek/4459.htm" title="4459: pōs (Adv) -- Adverb from the base of pou; an interrogative particle of manner; in what way?; also as exclamation, how much!">How</a> <a href="/greek/5343.htm" title="5343: phygēte (V-ASA-2P) -- To flee, escape, shun. Apparently a primary verb; to run away; by implication, to shun; by analogy, to vanish.">will you escape</a> <a href="/greek/575.htm" title="575: apo (Prep) -- From, away from. A primary particle; off, i.e. Away, in various senses."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/2920.htm" title="2920: kriseōs (N-GFS) -- Decision; by extension, a tribunal; by implication, justice.">sentence</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1067.htm" title="1067: geennēs (N-GFS) -- Of Hebrew origin; valley of Hinnom; ge-henna, a valley of Jerusalem, used as a name for the place of everlasting punishment.">of hell?</a> </span> <span class="reftext">34</span>Because of this, I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify, and others you will flog in your synagogues and persecute in town after town.…<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="/john/8-44.htm">John 8:44</a></span><br />You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/3-7.htm">Matthew 3:7</a></span><br />But when John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his place of baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/3-7.htm">Luke 3:7</a></span><br />Then John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/11-39.htm">Luke 11:39-52</a></span><br />Then the Lord said, “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. / You fools! Did not the One who made the outside make the inside as well? / But give as alms the things that are within you, and behold, everything will be clean for you. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-37.htm">John 8:37-47</a></span><br />I know you are Abraham’s descendants, but you are trying to kill Me because My word has no place within you. / I speak of what I have seen in the presence of the Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.” / “Abraham is our father,” they replied. “If you were children of Abraham,” said Jesus, “you would do the works of Abraham. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/2-5.htm">Romans 2:5</a></span><br />But because of your hard and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/12-9.htm">Revelation 12:9</a></span><br />And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/20-2.htm">Revelation 20:2</a></span><br />He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/59-5.htm">Isaiah 59:5</a></span><br />They hatch the eggs of vipers and weave a spider’s web. Whoever eats their eggs will die; crack one open, and a viper is hatched.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/14-29.htm">Isaiah 14:29</a></span><br />Do not rejoice, all you Philistines, that the rod that struck you is broken. For a viper will spring from the root of the snake, and a flying serpent from its egg.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/3-15.htm">Genesis 3:15</a></span><br />And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/58-3.htm">Psalm 58:3-5</a></span><br />The wicked are estranged from the womb; the liars go astray from birth. / Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like a cobra that shuts its ears, / refusing to hear the tune of the charmer who skillfully weaves his spell.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/8-17.htm">Jeremiah 8:17</a></span><br />“For behold, I will send snakes among you, vipers that cannot be charmed, and they will bite you,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/2-6.htm">Ezekiel 2:6</a></span><br />But you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns surround you, and you dwell among scorpions. Do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their presence, though they are a rebellious house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/3-18.htm">Ezekiel 3:18-19</a></span><br />If I say to the wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ but you do not warn him or speak out to warn him from his wicked way to save his life, that wicked man will die in his iniquity, and I will hold you responsible for his blood. / But if you warn a wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness and his wicked way, he will die in his iniquity, but you will have saved yourself.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">You serpents, you generation of vipers, how can you escape the damnation of hell?</p><p class="hdg">serpents.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/3-7.htm">Matthew 3:7</a></b></br> 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?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/12-34.htm">Matthew 12:34</a></b></br> O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/21-34.htm">Matthew 21:34,35</a></b></br> And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it… </p><p class="hdg">how.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/23-14.htm">Matthew 23:14</a></b></br> Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hebrews/2-3.htm">Hebrews 2:3</a></b></br> How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard <i>him</i>;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hebrews/10-29.htm">Hebrews 10:29</a></b></br> Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/12-34.htm">Brood</a> <a href="/matthew/23-14.htm">Condemnation</a> <a href="/matthew/12-37.htm">Condemned</a> <a href="/matthew/23-14.htm">Damnation</a> <a href="/matthew/10-23.htm">Escape</a> <a href="/matthew/23-15.htm">Gehenna</a> <a href="/matthew/17-17.htm">Generation</a> <a href="/matthew/23-15.htm">Hell</a> <a href="/matthew/23-23.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/matthew/21-9.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/matthew/12-34.htm">Offspring</a> <a href="/matthew/18-34.htm">Punishment</a> <a href="/amos/2-6.htm">Sentence</a> <a href="/jeremiah/49-12.htm">Sentenced</a> <a href="/matthew/10-16.htm">Serpents</a> <a href="/matthew/12-34.htm">Snakes</a> <a href="/matthew/12-34.htm">Vipers</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/23-37.htm">Brood</a> <a href="/mark/12-40.htm">Condemnation</a> <a href="/matthew/27-3.htm">Condemned</a> <a href="/mark/3-29.htm">Damnation</a> <a href="/matthew/24-16.htm">Escape</a> <a href="/mark/9-43.htm">Gehenna</a> <a href="/matthew/23-36.htm">Generation</a> <a href="/mark/9-43.htm">Hell</a> <a href="/matthew/26-66.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/matthew/24-43.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/mark/12-19.htm">Offspring</a> <a href="/matthew/24-9.htm">Punishment</a> <a href="/luke/23-24.htm">Sentence</a> <a href="/luke/24-20.htm">Sentenced</a> <a href="/mark/16-18.htm">Serpents</a> <a href="/mark/16-18.htm">Snakes</a> <a href="/luke/3-7.htm">Vipers</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 23</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/23-1.htm">Jesus admonishes the people to follow good doctrine, not bad examples</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/23-5.htm">His disciples must beware of their ambition.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/23-13.htm">He denounces eight woes against their hypocrisy and blindness,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">34. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/23-34.htm">and prophesies of the destruction of Jerusalem.</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/23.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/23.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>You snakes!</b><br>In this phrase, Jesus uses the metaphor of snakes to describe the Pharisees and teachers of the law. Snakes are often associated with deceit and danger in biblical literature, harking back to the serpent in the Garden of Eden (<a href="/genesis/3.htm">Genesis 3:1-5</a>). This imagery underscores the deceptive and harmful nature of the religious leaders' actions. In the cultural context of the time, snakes were seen as cunning and treacherous, which aligns with Jesus' condemnation of the leaders' hypocrisy and manipulation of religious laws for personal gain.<p><b>You brood of vipers!</b><br>The term "brood of vipers" intensifies the accusation, suggesting not only individual deceit but a collective, generational corruption. Vipers are known for their venom, symbolizing the destructive influence the leaders have on the people they are supposed to guide. This phrase echoes John the Baptist's earlier rebuke in <a href="/matthew/3-7.htm">Matthew 3:7</a>, where he also calls the Pharisees and Sadducees a "brood of vipers," highlighting a consistent theme of prophetic denunciation against religious hypocrisy. The use of "brood" implies that this is a deep-seated issue, passed down and perpetuated among the leaders.<p><b>How will you escape the sentence of hell?</b><br>This rhetorical question emphasizes the severity of the leaders' spiritual condition and the impending judgment they face. The "sentence of hell" refers to divine judgment and eternal separation from God, a concept rooted in Jewish eschatology and further developed in Christian theology. The Greek word for "hell" here is "Gehenna," a term derived from the Valley of Hinnom, a place outside Jerusalem associated with idolatry and child sacrifice (<a href="/2_kings/23-10.htm">2 Kings 23:10</a>, <a href="/jeremiah/7-31.htm">Jeremiah 7:31</a>). By invoking Gehenna, Jesus warns of the ultimate consequence of their actions. This phrase challenges the leaders to recognize their need for repentance and transformation, aligning with the broader biblical narrative of redemption and the call to genuine faith.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>The speaker of this verse, Jesus is addressing the religious leaders of His time, specifically the Pharisees and scribes, in a series of woes pronounced against them for their hypocrisy and spiritual blindness.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/pharisees_and_scribes.htm">Pharisees and Scribes</a></b><br>The primary audience of Jesus' rebuke. They were religious leaders known for their strict adherence to the Law and traditions, yet often criticized by Jesus for their hypocrisy and lack of true righteousness.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city where Jesus is delivering this message. It is significant as the religious and cultural center of Jewish life and the location of the Temple.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/h/hell.htm">Hell (Gehenna)</a></b><br>The term used by Jesus to describe the final place of punishment for the wicked. It is derived from the Hebrew "Ge-Hinnom," a valley outside Jerusalem associated with idolatry and child sacrifice, later symbolizing eternal damnation.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_woes.htm">The Woes</a></b><br>A series of pronouncements by Jesus in <a href="/bsb/matthew/23.htm">Matthew 23</a>, where He condemns the religious leaders for their hypocrisy, legalism, and failure to understand the heart of God's law.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/h/hypocrisy_and_accountability.htm">Hypocrisy and Accountability</a></b><br>Jesus' harsh words remind us that religious leaders and believers are held to a high standard of integrity and authenticity. We must examine our lives for hypocrisy and seek genuine transformation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_legalism.htm">The Danger of Legalism</a></b><br>The Pharisees' focus on external adherence to the law without understanding its spirit serves as a warning against legalism. True righteousness involves a heart aligned with God's will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_redemption.htm">Repentance and Redemption</a></b><br>Despite the severity of Jesus' rebuke, the call to repentance is implicit. No one is beyond redemption if they turn to God with a sincere heart.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_judgment.htm">The Reality of Judgment</a></b><br>Jesus' reference to hell underscores the reality of divine judgment. It is a call to take seriously the consequences of our spiritual state and to seek God's grace.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_spiritual_leaders.htm">The Role of Spiritual Leaders</a></b><br>Those in positions of spiritual authority must lead by example, prioritizing humility, justice, and mercy over self-righteousness and pride.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 23</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_bible's_view_on_snakes.htm">What is the biblical perspective on snakes?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_can_your_joy_be_made_complete.htm">Did Jesus mention Hell more often than Heaven?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_snakes_venom_align_with_science.htm">How can the imagery of snakes and venom (verses 4-5) be reconciled with modern scientific understanding of reptile behavior?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/did_jesus_mention_hell_more_than_heaven.htm">Did Jesus mention Hell more often than Heaven?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(33) <span class= "bld">Ye generation of vipers.</span>--Better, as in <a href="/matthew/3-7.htm" title="But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said to them, O generation of vipers, who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come?">Matthew 3:7</a>, <span class= "ital">brood,</span> or <span class= "ital">progeny of vipers.</span> The word of rebuke which had come before from the lips of the Baptist, comes now, with even more intense keenness, from those of the Christ.<p><span class= "bld">How can ye escape?</span>--Better--to maintain the parallelism with the Baptist's words, which was, we can hardly doubt, designed--<span class= "ital">How should ye flee from?</span><p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 33-39.</span> - <span class="accented">Declaration of the sentence on these Pharisees and their generation.</span> <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 33.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers;</span> <span class="greek">γεννήματα ἐχιδνῶν</span>: <span class="accented">offspring of vipers.</span> Our Lord repeats the Baptist's denunciation (<a href="/matthew/3-7.htm">Matthew 3:7</a>). They were of devilish nature, inherited from their very birth the disposition and character of Satan. So Christ said on another occasion, "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father it is your will to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and stood not in the truth" (<a href="/john/8-44.htm">John 8:44</a>). <span class="cmt_word">How can</span> <span class="cmt_word">ye escape?</span> <span class="greek">Πῶς φύγητε</span>; the deliberative conjunctive, <span class="accented">How shall ye escape? Quo mode fugietis?</span> (Vulgate). There is no emphasis on "can" in the Authorized Version. What hope is there now of your repentance? Can anything soften the hardness of your hearts? The Baptist had spoken more hopefully, "Who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" But now the day of grace is past; the sin against the Holy Ghost is committed; there remaineth only the fearful looking for of judgment. <span class="cmt_word">The damnation of hell;</span> literally, <span class="accented">the judgment of Gehenna</span>; <span class="accented">judicio Gehennae</span> (Vulgate); <span class="accented">i.e.</span> the sentence that condemns to eternal death (<a href="/matthew/5-22.htm">Matthew 5:22</a>). The phrase is common in the rabbinical writings (see Lightfoot). "Before sinning, we ought to fear lest it be the <span class="accented">filling up</span>; after sinning, we should trust in a truly Christian hope that it is not, and repent. This is the only means to escape the <span class="accented">damnation of hell</span>; but how rare is this grace after a pharisaical life!" (Quesnel). Hypocrisy is a bar to repentance. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/23-33.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">You snakes!</span><br /><span class="grk">ὄφεις</span> <span class="translit">(opheis)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Vocative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3789.htm">Strong's 3789: </a> </span><span class="str2">Probably from optanomai; a snake, figuratively, an artful malicious person, especially Satan.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">You brood</span><br /><span class="grk">γεννήματα</span> <span class="translit">(gennēmata)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Vocative Neuter Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1081.htm">Strong's 1081: </a> </span><span class="str2">Offspring, child, fruit. From gennao; offspring; by analogy, produce.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of vipers!</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐχιδνῶν</span> <span class="translit">(echidnōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2191.htm">Strong's 2191: </a> </span><span class="str2">A serpent, snake, viper. Of uncertain origin; an adder or other poisonous snake.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">How</span><br /><span class="grk">πῶς</span> <span class="translit">(pōs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4459.htm">Strong's 4459: </a> </span><span class="str2">Adverb from the base of pou; an interrogative particle of manner; in what way?; also as exclamation, how much!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will you escape</span><br /><span class="grk">φύγητε</span> <span class="translit">(phygēte)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5343.htm">Strong's 5343: </a> </span><span class="str2">To flee, escape, shun. Apparently a primary verb; to run away; by implication, to shun; by analogy, to vanish.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">τῆς</span> <span class="translit">(tēs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Genitive Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sentence</span><br /><span class="grk">κρίσεως</span> <span class="translit">(kriseōs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2920.htm">Strong's 2920: </a> </span><span class="str2">Decision; by extension, a tribunal; by implication, justice.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of hell?</span><br /><span class="grk">γεέννης</span> <span class="translit">(geennēs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1067.htm">Strong's 1067: </a> </span><span class="str2">Of Hebrew origin; valley of Hinnom; ge-henna, a valley of Jerusalem, used as a name for the place of everlasting punishment.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/23-33.htm">Matthew 23:33 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/23-33.htm">Matthew 23:33 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/23-33.htm">Matthew 23:33 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/23-33.htm">Matthew 23:33 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/23-33.htm">Matthew 23:33 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/23-33.htm">Matthew 23:33 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/23-33.htm">Matthew 23:33 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/23-33.htm">Matthew 23:33 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/23-33.htm">Matthew 23:33 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/23-33.htm">Matthew 23:33 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/23-33.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 23:33 You serpents you offspring of vipers how (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/23-32.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 23:32"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 23:32" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/23-34.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 23:34"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 23:34" /></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>