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?

MATTHEW 3:7KJV
Know the Bible

Matthew 3:7 (KJV)

What does Matthew 3:7 mean?

Matthew 3:7 shows John the Baptist sharply challenging Pharisees and Sadducees who come to his baptism. His question treats their arrival as a response to coming judgment and confronts them rather than welcoming their presence without question.

The Pharisees and Sadducees were distinct Jewish groups with influence in religious life. John’s image of a brood of vipers is a severe insult: he compares the people before him to a family of dangerous snakes.

The Greek behind Matthew 3:7

  • “generation” — γέννημα (gennēma): The word can mean offspring or brood. Paired with “vipers,” it pictures the people John addresses as the offspring of snakes, rather than simply as people living at the same time.
  • “warned” — ὑποδείκνυμι (hypodeiknymi): The word can carry the sense of pointing something out or giving a warning. John’s question asks who alerted them to the danger ahead.

Why Matthew 3:7 matters

  • John’s challenge leads directly to a demand for changed conduct. In verse 8, he calls for “fruits meet for repentance”: actions that show a genuine change of heart and direction.
  • John’s words also challenge reliance on family descent. In verse 9, he tells his hearers not to rely on saying that Abraham is their father.
  • “Wrath to come” points to judgment ahead. John’s question presents that danger as something from which people would want to flee.

Where else these words appear

“vipers” Greek G2191 · used in 5 verses

  • Matthew 12:34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
  • Matthew 23:33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
  • 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?

“warned” Greek G5263 · used in 6 verses

  • 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?
  • Luke 6:47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:
  • Acts 9:16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

“generation” Greek G1081 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 12:34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
  • Matthew 26:29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
  • Luke 12:18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.

“Sadducees” Greek G4523 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 16:1 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
  • Matthew 22:23 The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,
  • Acts 4:1 And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,