Luke 3:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

NIV: 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?

NASB: So he was saying to the crowds who were going out to be baptized by him, 'You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

CSB: He then said to the crowds who came out to be baptized by him, "Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

NLT: When the crowds came to John for baptism, he said, 'You brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee the coming wrath?

KJV: 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?

NKJV: Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

John the Baptist was many things: eccentric (Mark 1:6), Spirit-filled (John 1:32–34), and committed to God's will (John 3:30). He was apparently not subtle, nor the type to hold back from speaking truth. His death will come after rightly accusing the local king of having an illegitimate marriage (Luke 3:19–20; Matthew 14:6–10). The people coming to hear him seek to be "baptized," a term transliterated from the Greek word baptizō. This literally means "immersion or submersion," usually with an emphasis on cleaning. Those who made major spiritual decisions or who joined religious groups would often be publicly baptized to demonstrate their commitment.

Here, John speaks directly and clearly to the people who have come to hear his message. The reason for his harsh words was probably the attitude of the people. Some might have come expecting that baptism—the physical act—would somehow make them right with God. John's ministry is about repentance, however. As he explains himself, John will indicate that a person who performs a ritual, without sincere repentance, is subject to God's wrath (Luke 3:8–9). That warning includes encouraging people to live godly, moral lives (Luke 3:10–14).

It's also possible John's rough words are meant to confront local religious leaders and their ardent followers (John 1:19). Matthew's account of John's ministry has these same words being delivered to those men, specifically (Matthew 3:7–12).

Luke 3:7–22 is a relatively brief explanation of John the Baptist's ministry. John's preaching calls on people to repent and turn from their sins. At the same time, he is careful to declare that he is not Christ—John is only a herald of the Messiah. Luke's account quickly summarizes this message, John's conflict with Herod the Tetrarch, and the baptism of Jesus. Parallel accounts are found in Matthew 3, Mark 1:1–11, and John 1:19–34.

The early part of Luke's gospel shifts back and forth between the histories of Jesus and John the Baptist. Chapter 3 starts with historical and prophetic context about John. It then depicts some of John's interactions with local religious leaders. Luke gives only a brief description of Jesus' baptism. He also touches on John's criticism of Herod the Tetrarch, which would eventually result in John's execution (Matthew 14:10–12). The chapter ends with a genealogy of Christ.

Chapters 1 and 2 provided early history for both John the Baptist and Jesus. Chapter 3 establishes John's preaching ministry and its connection to Jesus Christ. The chapter ends with a genealogy which some believe runs through Mary's side of the family. Chapter 4 transitions from Jesus' baptism into His public ministry, by describing His fasting in the wilderness and temptation by Satan.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.