Anchor My Faith

You Brood of Vipers

Scripture: Matthew 23:29-33; Luke 11:47-48

In the previous lesson we looked at the eighth woe in which Jesus referred to the scribes as whitewashed tombs; great outside appearance but inside nothing but death and decay. In this lesson we will cover the ninth and last woe and its relationship to the prophets.

^{Mt 23:29} “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous, ^{Lk 11:47} whom your fathers killed. ^{Mt 23:30} saying, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ ³¹ Thus you witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets ^{Lk 11:48} and you consent to the deeds of your fathers, for they killed them, and you build their tombs. ^{Mt 23:32} Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers. ³³ You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell?”

In this section of narrative, Jesus describes these scribes and Pharisees as descendants of those who murdered the prophets of the past. Their scheming to have Jesus executed shows that they are following in the footsteps of their ancestors.

These scribes and Pharisees were rebuilding the tombs of the prophets with more taste, decorating them and keeping them neat and clean. They would show proper honor in memory of the dead by speaking well of them, praying near them, or building synagogues near them in honor of their memory. Jesus did not condemn this showing of respect and honor but is about to show their hypocrisy in this regard; to show their real intent.

Their activity in showing respect in this way and saying, “If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.” was designed to draw attention to themselves. By saying they would not have done what their ancestors did is a claim that they were more wise, humble and godly than they. They were saying if it had been them, they would have received these who were sent from God and obeyed their instruction.

Despite their claims, their actions toward Jesus spoke louder. They say their actions would not have been like their forefathers but by plotting against Jesus, they were showing that they were no different, and as time progresses, they will eventually execute their plans and have Jesus murdered, proving that they were just as guilty as their forefathers. In doing so, they were filling up the measure of their fathers; a prediction of what they were about to do. Jesus has been saying repeatedly that they would put him to death and persecute the apostles.

Using very strong language, Jesus identifies them as serpents, a brood of vipers who have no way to escape being sentenced to hell. By calling them serpents, Jesus was identifying them with the likes of Satan; “more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made” (Genesis 3:1). Like John the Baptist, Jesus calls them a brood of vipers; vipers were known for their subtle movements and lethal strikes.

Jesus asks them a question, “How are you to escape being sentenced to hell?” Beyond any question, Jesus was predicting their future punishment. So great was their wickedness and hypocrisy, that, if they continued with their plans to kill Jesus, it would be impossible to escape the damnation that would come upon them.

The language Jesus used against these scribes and Pharisees was the strongest language that Jesus ever used against wicked people. It was a language too strong for ministers to use today because they do not know people as Jesus did. Ministers today can only address characters while Jesus could address persons. Jesus knew what was true of people; he knew their hearts and he knew who would be lost.

Conclusion

Hearing these nine woes spoken against them, the scribes and Pharisees would take his life on the spot if the power of God had not constrained them. The time will come when they will get their evil way; a time that will be perfectly established to allow Jesus to complete what he was sent to do and say from the cross as he died, “It is finished!”