Articles
You Brood of Vipers!
In the days of John the Baptist, many were coming to be baptized by him in river of Jordan (cf. Matt. 3:5-6). To be sure, the scriptures tell us John’s baptism was one of repentance (cf. Matt. 3:11). That is, people were being baptized with the mindset of turning away from sin and following God’s laws. As Matthew tells the story, many were coming to John from all over Judea. However, a unique group of people whom John saw and recognized, were rebuked for being there. The Pharisees and Sadducees had arrived on the scene and immediately when John saw them he rebuked them rather harshly: “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” (Matt. 3:7).
Let’s first note who these people were. The Pharisees were a sect of the Jews that were utterly devoted to the details in the Law of Moses and they were known for their “see me” attitude. The Sadducees, also a sect of the Jews, were a political group from which the priestly and temple hierarchy were drawn. Undoubtedly to the mind of any reader, these people don’t necessarily sound like the folks for which a description of snakes would befit. John however was around long enough, and like anyone who is completely devoted to God and His ways, he was able to see them for who they really were: Brood of Vipers. The description John uses is not one of mere coincidence, but purposeful and striking. Vipers are among the world’s most poisonous snakes. One bite from the creature and one would be dead in minutes. Yet snakes in general are among the wisest animals in the wild and even Jesus used such a description for them (cf. Matt. 10:16).
John description of these so-called model citizens of Jewish society is two-fold in nature. They were a poisonous people (metaphorically speaking) who were very crafty in terms of speaking to the crowds and they would often display a show to convince the crowds they were who they said they were (cf. Matt. 6:1-7, 16; 23:1-33). John knew better. He knew that their intentions weren’t sincere in keeping with repentance and thus he admonished them to bear fruits worthy of penitence (cf. Matt. 3:8). They fed poison to many of the Jews of the day and unfortunately it was received widely, and they were blind just like these leaders. (cf. Matt. 15:14). Does that sound at all familiar to the religious culture we live in today? It is important to note, however, that John was not the only one who called them offspring of snakes. In a similar manner to John, Jesus rebuked them harshly for their hypocrisy and lawlessness (cf. Matt. 23:33).
Let’s consider the big picture. In Gospel of John, Jesus criticizes the scribes and the Pharisees calling them sons of the devil (cf. John 8:44). Consider how important that is since we know the serpent in the garden of Eden was the devil (cf. Rev. 20:2). Harmonizing what Jesus said here in John 8 and what John the Baptist says in Matthew 3, we are made aware that these men were clearly followers of the devil. He was their father, not God. It’s amazing how the scriptures draw examples from other places to demonstrate a sobering point. It does not matter how religiously inclined we think we are and how much things we do for others to see and praise us. When all said and done, God’s approval is what we all should seek and that does not come by seeking public attention nor by being hypocrites. Don’t underestimate the quality of humility. God is pleased with those who seek to put Him at the forefront of everything they do and not themselves. He is delighted when we look out for our neighbor and not just ourselves. Let’s be careful not to get sucked into the devil’s way but may we bear fruits in keeping with repentance and God’s love. May God shine forth in us.
