Matthew 12:34
What does Matthew 12:34 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 12:34 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 12:34 means
Jesus calls the Pharisees offspring of vipers and asks how evil people can speak good things. The strong rebuke exposes their moral condition: their venomous character produces corrupt speech. He then states that the mouth speaks from the heart’s abundance. Thus, their words reveal their inward corruption. The language is harsh but aimed at exposing duplicity. Jesus indicts their hearts—not merely their words—showing that true moral reform requires heart change.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Ye offspring of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
KJV
King James Version · 1611O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Ye offspring of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949You offspring of snakes, how are you, being evil, able to say good things? because out of the heart's store come the words of the mouth.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Brood of vipers! how are ye able to speak good things--being evil? for out of the abundance of the heart doth the mouth speak.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752O generation of vipers, how can you speak good things, whereas you are evil? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Offspring of vipers! how can ye speak good things, being wicked? For of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Context
This verse develops the tree-and-fruit imagery just introduced. After warning about fruit and trees, Jesus targets his critics, showing how their speech betrays inner corruption. It deepens the chapter’s concern for root-level transformation rather than surface compliance with rules.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 12:35
The good man out of his good treasure bringeth forth good things: and the evil man out of his evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
- Psalms 52:2
Thy tongue deviseth very wickedness, Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
- Matthew 15:18
But the things which proceed out of the mouth come forth out of the heart; and they defile the man.
- Psalms 64:5
They encourage themselves in an evil purpose; They commune of laying snares privily; They say, Who will see them?
- Jeremiah 7:2
Stand in the gate of Jehovah’s house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of Jehovah, all ye of Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship Jehovah.
- Romans 3:10
as it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one;
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