Matthew 12:34

KJV

O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

KJV (with Strong's)

O generation {G1081} of vipers {G2191}, how {G4459} can ye {G1410}, being {G5607} evil {G4190}, speak {G2980} good things {G18}? for {G1063} out of {G1537} the abundance {G4051} of the heart {G2588} the mouth {G4750} speaketh {G2980}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You snakes! How can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what overflows from the heart.

Berean Standard Bible

You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.

American Standard Version

Ye offspring of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 12:34 delivers a searing indictment from Jesus Christ to the hypocritical Pharisees, profoundly asserting the inseparable link between one's inner spiritual condition and their outward expressions, particularly their words. This verse serves as a foundational principle, revealing that speech is not merely an external act but an overflow of the heart's true nature, exposing whether it harbors good or evil.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a climactic moment within a tense confrontation between Jesus and the religious establishment, specifically the Pharisees, following Jesus' miraculous healing of a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute [Matthew 12:22](/matthew/12-22 "Matthew 12:22 - Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Man"). Unable to refute the undeniable miracle, the Pharisees resort to a desperate and blasphemous accusation, claiming Jesus casts out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons [Matthew 12:24](/matthew/12-24 "Matthew 12:24 - Pharisees Accuse Jesus of Beelzebul"). Jesus systematically dismantles their illogical argument by explaining that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand [Matthew 12:25-26](/matthew/12-25-26 "Matthew 12:25-26 - A House Divided"), and then issues a grave warning about the unforgivable sin of [blasphemy against the Holy Spirit](/matthew/12-31-32 "Matthew 12:31-32 - The Unforgivable Sin"). Matthew 12:34, therefore, functions as a direct and piercing explanation for why the Pharisees' words are so damning: their evil accusations stem from an evil heart, demonstrating their spiritual corruption.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Pharisees were a prominent Jewish religious sect known for their strict adherence to the Mosaic Law and their oral traditions. They held significant influence among the people, often presenting themselves as paragons of piety. However, Jesus frequently exposed their hypocrisy, emphasizing their outward show of righteousness while their hearts were far from God. The term "generation of vipers" was a scathing prophetic indictment, previously used by [John the Baptist](/matthew/3-7 "Matthew 3:7 - John the Baptist's Rebuke") to describe those who merely feigned repentance without genuine inner transformation. In the Jewish worldview, the "heart" (Hebrew: *lev*, Greek: *kardia*) was not merely the seat of emotions but the core of one's being—the center of intellect, will, and moral character. Thus, Jesus' statement about the heart's abundance speaking through the mouth would have resonated deeply, highlighting that true righteousness or wickedness originates from this inner core.

* **Key Themes:** Matthew 12:34 powerfully articulates several crucial themes present throughout the Gospels. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **inner spiritual reality versus outward appearance**. Jesus consistently challenged the superficial religiosity of the Pharisees, insisting that true righteousness stems from a transformed heart, not mere external observance (as seen in [Matthew 23](/matthew/23 "Matthew 23 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees")). Secondly, the verse highlights the **power and significance of speech**. Words are not neutral; they are potent indicators of one's spiritual condition and have the power to build up or tear down, to bless or curse. This aligns with broader biblical teachings on the tongue's influence (e.g., [James 3](/james/3 "James 3 - Taming the Tongue")). Thirdly, it reinforces the theme of **judgment based on fruit**. Just as a good tree bears good fruit and a bad tree bears bad fruit [Matthew 7:17-20](/matthew/7-17-20 "Matthew 7:17-20 - By Their Fruit You Will Know Them"), so too do a person's words reveal the true nature of their heart, providing evidence for their spiritual state and ultimate judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **generation (Greek, _génnēma'_):** From G1081 (γεννάω), meaning "offspring" or, by analogy, "produce." Here, it signifies not merely a biological lineage but a spiritual or moral progeny. Jesus is calling them "offspring of vipers," implying that their very nature and character are derived from the venomous, deceitful essence of vipers. It's a statement about their inherent spiritual identity, not just their physical ancestry.
* **vipers (Greek, _échidna'_):** From G2191, referring to an "adder or other poisonous snake." Figuratively, it denotes someone treacherous, malicious, and dangerous. The imagery evokes the insidious, deadly nature of their accusations and their spiritual venom, which seeks to poison truth and destroy good. This term underscores the lethal spiritual danger posed by the Pharisees' words and their corrupt hearts.
* **abundance (Greek, _perísseuma'_):** From G4051, meaning "a surplus, or superabundance; that which is left over and above." This word is crucial, indicating that the mouth speaks not just what is present in the heart, but what *overflows* from it. It implies a full reservoir of thoughts, intentions, and character that cannot be contained and inevitably spills out through speech. Whatever fills the heart to overflowing will inevitably manifest in one's words.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"O generation of vipers":** This is a direct, confrontational, and highly condemnatory address. Jesus uses a term previously employed by John the Baptist, linking the Pharisees to a lineage of spiritual corruption and treachery. It signifies that their very nature is venomous and deceitful, like poisonous snakes, rather than being true children of Abraham or God.
* **"how can ye, being evil, speak good things?":** This rhetorical question highlights the inherent contradiction and impossibility of their actions. Jesus asserts that it is fundamentally illogical and spiritually impossible for those whose core being is evil (ponērós – morally culpable, vicious) to produce truly good words (agathós – inherently good, beneficial). Their evil nature precludes the possibility of genuine good speech; any outward "good" would be a facade.
* **"for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.":** This is the foundational principle explaining the preceding rhetorical question. The conjunction "for" (gár) introduces the reason. The mouth is merely an instrument that gives voice to what is already overflowing in the heart. If the heart is filled with malice, deceit, and wickedness, then only such things can truly emerge from the mouth. Conversely, if the heart is filled with goodness, truth, and love, then those qualities will naturally manifest in speech.

#### Literary Devices
Jesus employs several potent **Literary Devices** in this verse to convey His message with maximum impact. The most striking is **Metaphor**, specifically the phrase "generation of vipers." By likening the Pharisees to the offspring of poisonous snakes, Jesus vividly portrays their inherent malice, deceit, and the destructive nature of their words and intentions. This metaphor is not merely an insult but a profound spiritual assessment. He also uses a **Rhetorical Question** ("how can ye, being evil, speak good things?"), which is designed not to elicit an answer but to emphasize the absurdity and impossibility of their claim to speak truth or good while harboring such evil within. Finally, the latter part of the verse functions as an **Aphorism** or **Proverbial Statement**: "for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." This concise, memorable declaration encapsulates a universal truth about human nature and serves as a foundational principle for understanding the relationship between inner character and outward expression.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 12:34 is a cornerstone verse for understanding the biblical emphasis on the heart as the wellspring of all human action and expression. It teaches that true spiritual transformation must begin internally; outward conformity without inner change is hypocrisy. The words we speak are not incidental but are direct evidence of our spiritual health and the true nature of our character. This principle underscores God's concern with genuine righteousness that flows from a pure heart, rather than mere external performance. It also highlights the seriousness of speech, reminding us that our words carry moral weight and will be accounted for in judgment.

* [Proverbs 4:23](/proverbs/4-23 "Guard Your Heart")
* [Luke 6:45](/luke/6-45 "Good and Evil Treasures of the Heart")
* [James 3:8-10](/james/3-8-10 "Taming the Tongue")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 12:34 serves as a profound call to introspection for every believer. It challenges us to move beyond superficial self-assessment and delve into the true condition of our hearts, recognizing that our words are an infallible barometer of our inner spiritual state. If our speech is characterized by negativity, criticism, gossip, anger, or deceit, this verse urgently compels us to address the root issues within our hearts, rather than merely attempting to control our tongues. It reminds us that cultivating godly speech is not just about choosing the right words, but about cultivating a heart transformed by the Holy Spirit, filled with love, truth, and grace. By allowing God's Word to dwell richly within us and by yielding to the Spirit's sanctifying work, our hearts can become reservoirs of goodness, from which words of life, encouragement, and blessing will naturally flow, honoring God and edifying others.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What do my consistent patterns of speech reveal about the true condition of my heart?**
* **In what areas of my life might my words be contradicting the "good things" I claim to believe or desire?**
* **What steps can I take to cultivate a heart that is so abundant with God's truth and love that only good things flow from my mouth?**
* **How does this verse challenge my understanding of hypocrisy in my own life?**

### FAQ
**Why does Jesus call them "vipers"?**

Answer: Jesus calls the Pharisees "vipers" (Greek: *échidna*) as a severe prophetic and spiritual indictment, not merely an insult. This term, also used by [John the Baptist in Matthew 3:7](/matthew/3-7 "John the Baptist's Rebuke to the Pharisees and Sadducees"), signifies that the Pharisees, despite their outward religious piety, harbored a venomous, deceptive, and destructive nature within their hearts. Like poisonous snakes, their words and intentions were lethal, seeking to undermine truth, oppose God's work, and spiritually harm others. It highlighted their inherent corruption and their spiritual lineage, which was not of God but of evil, making them children of the devil rather than children of God.

**How does the heart's abundance relate to our words?**

Answer: The phrase "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" means that our words are a direct, inevitable overflow of what truly fills and dominates our inner being. The "abundance" (Greek: *perísseuma*) refers to a surplus or overflow. Whatever is in plentiful supply within our hearts—whether it be love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (the fruit of the Spirit, as described in [Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22-23 "The Fruit of the Spirit")), or conversely, malice, anger, deceit, bitterness, and envy—will eventually and naturally spill out through our speech. Our words are not accidental; they are a clear manifestation of our deepest thoughts, desires, beliefs, and character. This principle is further reinforced by [Luke 6:45](/luke/6-45 "Good and Evil Treasures of the Heart"), which states that "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 12:34, while a scathing rebuke, ultimately points to Christ as the perfect embodiment of a heart from which only good things flow. Unlike the "generation of vipers" whose words were poisoned by an evil heart, Jesus' every word and action perfectly reflected the pure, holy, and loving heart of God. His speech was always life-giving, truthful, and authoritative, because His heart was perfectly aligned with the Father's will. He spoke [words of eternal life](/john/6-68 "Words of Eternal Life"), healed with a command, and taught with unparalleled wisdom, all stemming from His sinless nature and divine love. For believers, this verse finds its fulfillment in the transformative power of Christ. Through faith in Him, our "evil" hearts are not merely cleaned up but are given new life, a new heart and a new spirit, as promised in [Ezekiel 36:26](/ezekiel/36-26 "A New Heart and Spirit"). As we are united with Christ and indwelt by His Holy Spirit, His character begins to form within us, enabling us to progressively, though imperfectly, speak good things from a heart that is being renewed day by day [2 Corinthians 4:16](/2_corinthians/4-16 "Renewal Day by Day"). Our ultimate hope is to become more like Him, whose mouth always spoke from the abundance of a perfectly righteous and loving heart, reflecting the glory of God [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "The Word Became Flesh").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 6:45

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

Matthew 15:18

But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

Ephesians 4:29

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

1 Samuel 24:13

As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.

James 3:5

Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

James 3:8

But the tongue can no man tame; [it is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

1 John 3:10

In 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.