Matthew 23:33 — Meaning and Application

King James Version

“{Ye} serpents, {ye} generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?”

Matthew 23:33

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Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:

Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.

Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.

{Ye} serpents, {ye} generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and {some} of them ye shall kill and crucify; and {some} of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute {them} from city to city:

That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

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Matthew 23:1

"Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,"

Matthew 23:2

"Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:"

Matthew 23:3

"All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, {that} observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not."

Matthew 23:4

"For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay {them} on men's shoulders; but they {themselves} will not move them with one of their fingers."

Matthew 23:5

"But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, {phylacteries: pieces of parchment containing sentences of the law}"

Matthew 23:6

"And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,"

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