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?

Then {G3767} said {G3004} he to the multitude {G3793} that came forth {G1607} to be baptized {G907} of {G5259} him {G846}, O generation {G1081} of vipers {G2191}, who {G5101} hath warned {G5263} you {G5213} to flee {G5343} from {G575} the wrath {G3709} to come {G3195}?

Therefore, Yochanan said to the crowds who came out to be immersed by him, "You snakes! Who warned you to escape the coming punishment?

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?

He said therefore to the multitudes that went out to be baptized of him, Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

Commentary

Context

Luke 3:7 finds John the Baptist at the height of his prophetic ministry, preaching a message of repentance and baptism in the wilderness near the Jordan River. Multitudes from all walks of life, including tax collectors, soldiers, and various religious groups, were coming to him, seeking to be baptized. John's ministry was characterized by directness and an uncompromising call to moral and spiritual transformation, preparing the way for the coming Messiah.

Key Themes

  • Authentic Repentance: John's scathing rebuke challenges the motives of those seeking baptism. He questions whether their desire for the ritual stems from a genuine change of heart or merely a superficial attempt to escape impending judgment. True repentance requires more than just outward observance; it demands inner transformation and corresponding actions.
  • Divine Judgment: The phrase "the wrath to come" refers to God's certain and imminent judgment upon sin and unrighteousness. John's warning serves as a stark reminder that God is not to be trifled with, and His justice will be meted out. This concept is a consistent theme throughout both the Old and New Testaments, underscoring the seriousness of sin and the necessity of seeking God's mercy.
  • Prophetic Rebuke: John, as a prophet, did not shy away from confronting spiritual hypocrisy. His harsh words highlight the danger of religious outwardness without inward sincerity. He called people to account, demanding that their lives reflect their supposed commitment to God.

Linguistic Insights

The powerful phrase, "O generation of vipers," is a highly significant and striking condemnation. A "generation of vipers" (Greek: gennēmata echidnōn) literally means "offspring of vipers." This imagery portrays the people as venomous, dangerous, and inherently corrupt, similar to the serpent that tempted Eve in Genesis 3. It implies a deceptive and destructive nature. John also uses this phrase in Matthew 3:7, where he specifically addresses the Pharisees and Sadducees, suggesting that among the "multitude" in Luke's account, there were likely religious leaders or those with a similar self-righteous attitude.

The "wrath to come" (Greek: tēs mellousēs orgēs) signifies a future, impending divine judgment. This is not merely human anger, but God's settled, holy indignation against sin, which will be fully revealed. It speaks to a coming day of reckoning for those who do not genuinely repent.

Reflection and Application

John's sharp question, "who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?", compels us to examine our own motives for engaging in religious practices or seeking spiritual benefit. Are we genuinely seeking transformation, or are we merely trying to escape consequences without true change? This verse serves as a timeless call to authenticity in faith. John immediately follows this warning by instructing them to "bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance" in the very next verse, emphasizing that true repentance is evidenced by a changed life. For believers today, it is a reminder that salvation is not a mere formality but a profound, life-altering commitment that should produce visible fruit in our actions and character.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 23:33

    [Ye] serpents, [ye] generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

  • 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.

  • 1 Thessalonians 1:10

    And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, [even] Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

  • Isaiah 59:5

    They 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.

  • 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?

  • Matthew 3:10

    And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

  • Psalms 58:4

    Their poison [is] like the poison of a serpent: [they are] like the deaf adder [that] stoppeth her ear;
← Back