Mat 23:33 | RWP | e4.org | Ye serpents, ye offspring of vipers ( οφεις γεννηματα εχιδνων ). These blistering words come as a climax and remind one of the Baptist ( ) and of the time when the Pharisees accused Jesus of being in league with Beelzebub ( ). They cut to the bone like whip-cords. How shall ye escape ( πως φυγητε ). Deliberate subjunctive. There is a curse in the Talmud somewhat like this: "Woe to the house of Annas! Woe to their serpent-like hissings."

‏ Matthew 23:33

Ye serpents, ye offspring of vipers ( οφεις γεννηματα εχιδνων ). These blistering words come as a climax and remind one of the Baptist (3:17) and of the time when the Pharisees accused Jesus of being in league with Beelzebub (12:34). They cut to the bone like whip-cords.

How shall ye escape ( πως φυγητε ). Deliberate subjunctive. There is a curse in the Talmud somewhat like this: "Woe to the house of Annas! Woe to their serpent-like hissings."