Luke 3:7
What does Luke 3:7 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 3:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 3:7 means
John confronts the crowds with a shocking accusation, calling them "offspring of vipers." This harsh imagery likened them to poisonous snakes, implying deceit and a dangerous spiritual condition. He questions their motives for coming to be baptized, suggesting that their outward act might be a superficial attempt to escape God's impending judgment rather than genuine repentance. This challenges them to examine their hearts and not just their public actions.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000He 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?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then 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?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901He 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?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So he said to the people who went out to him for baptism: You offspring of snakes, at whose word are you going in flight from the wrath to come?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Then said he to the multitudes coming forth to be baptised by him, `Brood of vipers! who did prompt you to flee from the coming wrath?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752He said therefore to the multitudes that went forth to be baptized by him: Ye offspring of vipers, who hath shewed you to flee from the wrath to come?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890He said therefore to the crowds which went out to be baptised by him, Offspring of vipers, who has forewarned you to flee from the coming wrath?
Context
Having presented John's divine commission and prophetic role, the narrative now shifts to the content and impact of his preaching on the crowds. This verse introduces John’s direct and confrontational style, setting up his ensuing demands for genuine evidence of repentance. It contextualizes his strong words by showing the initial reaction of the people to his ministry.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 59:5
They hatch adders’ eggs, and weave the spider’s web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth; and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper.
- 1 John 3:8
he that doeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. To this end was the Son of God manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
- Acts 13:10
and said, O full of all guile and all villany, thou son of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
- Matthew 3:7
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said unto them, Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
- John 8:44
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 standeth not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father thereof.
- Matthew 12:34
Ye offspring of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
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