The Meaning of Luke 3:7 Explained

Luke 3:7

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?

YLT: Then said he to the multitudes coming forth to be baptised by him, 'Brood of vipers! who did prompt you to flee from the coming wrath?

Darby: He said therefore to the crowds which went out to be baptised by him, Offspring of vipers, who has forewarned you to flee from the coming wrath?

ASV: He said therefore to the multitudes that went out to be baptized of him, Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Then  said  he to the multitude  that came forth  {5734} to be baptized  of  him,  O generation  of vipers,  who  hath warned  you  to flee  from  the wrath  to come? 

What does Luke 3:7 Mean?

Context Summary

Luke 3:1-14 - A Preacher Of Righteousness
The evangelist sets an emperor, a governor, two high priests, and three tetrarchs in a few lines, as of very subordinate interest, compared with the one man, the child of the desert, whose coming dated a new era and to whom he devotes the remainder of the chapter. After all, it is religious men who really make the history of mankind.
"The word of God came unto John the Baptist"¦ and he came." That is the true order. Get your message and then come. It is often in the wilderness of life that God's words find us. The man who is going to master men must first master the appetites of his own body. If you seek popularity, you will lose it; if you seek to do God's will, men will almost certainly come to find you. Souls require a clear pane of glass, when they look out on the infinite expanse of the sky! Be real! Live at first-hand with eternal truth! Fear not the face of man! [source]

Chapter Summary: Luke 3

1  The preaching and baptism of John;
15  his testimony of Jesus;
19  Herod imprisons John;
21  Jesus, baptized, receives testimony from heaven
23  The age and genealogy of Jesus from Joseph upwards

Greek Commentary for Luke 3:7

To the multitude that went out [τοις εχπορευομενοις οχλοις]
Plural, Multitudes. The present participle also notes the repetition of the crowds as does ελεγεν — elegen (imperfect), he used to say. Matthew 3:7-10 singles out the message of John to the Pharisees and Sadducees, which see notes for discussion of details. Luke gives a summary of his preaching to the crowds with special replies to these inquiries: the multitudes, Luke 3:10, the publicans Luke 3:12, the soldiers Luke 3:14. [source]
To be baptized of him [βαπτιστηναι υπ αυτου]
This is the purpose of their coming. Matthew 3:7 has simply “to his baptism.” John‘s metaphors are from the wilderness (vipers, fruits, axe, slave boy loosing sandals, fire, fan, thrashing-floor, garner, chaff, stones).Who warned you? (τις επεδειχεν υμιν — tis hepedeixen humiṉ). The verb is like our “suggest” by proof to eye, ear, or brain (Luke 6:47; Luke 12:5; Acts 9:16; Acts 20:35; Matthew 3:7). Nowhere else in the N.T. though common ancient word (υποδεικνυμι — hupodeiknumi show under, point out, give a tip or private hint). [source]
Who warned you? [τις επεδειχεν υμιν]
The verb is like our “suggest” by proof to eye, ear, or brain (Luke 6:47; Luke 12:5; Acts 9:16; Acts 20:35; Matthew 3:7). Nowhere else in the N.T. though common ancient word (υποδεικνυμι — hupodeiknumi show under, point out, give a tip or private hint). [source]
He said [ἐκπορευομένοις]
The use of the tenses is graphic. He said, the imperfect, and came forth, the present participle; both denoting action in progress, or customary action; so that the sense is, he kept saying, or he used to say to those who were coming out, to the crowds of people which kept pouring out successively. Compare ἐξεπορεύετο ,went out, also imperfect, Matthew 3:5. Luke gives the substance of the Baptist's preaching summarily. [source]
Generation [γεννήμεατα]
Lit., births. Rev., better, offspring. It has been observed that John's figurative language is altogether the language of the desert. Notice the succession of images: Brood of vipers; fruits (of repentance); the axe at the root of the tree; the slave-boy loosing or bearing the sandals; the baptism of fire; the winnowing-fan, the threshing-floor, the garner, and the burning of the chaff. [source]
Warned [ὑπέδειξεν]
From ὕπο , under, and δείκνυμι ,to shew. Hence, literally, to shew secretly. The word implies a private or confidential hint or reminder. Compare Luke 12:5; Acts 9:16; Acts 20:35. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Luke 3:7

Luke 12:5 I will forewarn [ὑποδείξω]
Rev., warn. See on warned, Luke 3:7. [source]
Luke 3:10 What then must we do? [τι ουν ποιησωμεν]
Deliberative aorist subjunctive. More exactly, What then are we to do, What then shall we do? Same construction in verses Luke 3:12. The ουν — oun refers to the severe things already said by John (Luke 3:7-9). [source]
Luke 3:10 What then are we to do, What then shall we do? []
Same construction in verses Luke 3:12. The ουν — oun refers to the severe things already said by John (Luke 3:7-9). [source]
John 3:36 The wrath of God [ὀργὴ τοῦ Θεοῦ]
Both ὀργὴ and θυμός are used in the New Testament for wrath or anger, and without any commonly observed distinction. Ὁργη denotes a deeper and more permanent sentiment; a settled habit of mind; while θυμός is a more turbulent, but temporary agitation. Both words are used in the phrase wrath of God, which commonly denotes a distinct manifestation of God's judgment (Romans 1:18; Romans 3:5; Romans 9:22; Romans 12:19). Ὁργὴ (not θυμός ) also appears in the phrase the wrath to come (Matthew 3:7; Luke 3:7; 1 Thessalonians 2:16, etc.). Compare wrath of the Lamb (Revelation 6:16). [source]
John 1:19 And this is the witness of John [και αυτη εστιν η μαρτυρια του Ιωανου]
He had twice already alluded to it (John 1:7. and John 1:15) and now he proceeds to give it as the most important item to add after the Prologue. Just as the author assumes the birth narratives of Matthew and Luke, so he assumes the Synoptic accounts of the baptism of Jesus by John, but adds various details of great interest and value between the baptism and the Galilean ministry, filling out thus our knowledge of this first year of the Lord‘s ministry in various parts of Palestine. The story in John proceeds along the same lines as in the Synoptics. There is increasing unfolding of Christ to the disciples with increasing hostility on the part of the Jews till the final consummation in Jerusalem. When the Jews sent unto him John, writing in Ephesus near the close of the first century long after the destruction of Jerusalem, constantly uses the phrase “the Jews” as descriptive of the people as distinct from the Gentile world and from the followers of Christ (at first Jews also). Often he uses it of the Jewish leaders and rulers in particular who soon took a hostile attitude toward both John and Jesus. Here it is the Jews from Jerusalem who sent Priests and Levites Sadducees these were. Down below in John 1:24 the author explains that it was the Pharisees who sent the Sadducees. The Synoptics throw a flood of light on this circumstance, for in Matthew 3:7 we are told that the Baptist called the Pharisees and Sadducees “offspring of vipers” (Luke 3:7). Popular interest in John grew till people were wondering “in their hearts concerning John whether haply he were the Christ” (Luke 3:15). So the Sanhedrin finally sent a committee to John to get his own view of himself, but the Pharisees saw to it that Sadducees were sent. To ask him Final ινα — hina and the first aorist active subjunctive of ερωταω — erōtaō old verb to ask a question as here and often in the Koiné to ask for something (John 14:16) like αιτεω — aiteō Who art thou? Direct question preserved and note proleptic position of συ — su “Thou, who art thou?” The committee from the Sanhedrin put the question sharply up to John to define his claims concerning the Messiah. [source]
John 4:1 When therefore [ως ουν]
Reference to John 3:22. the work of the Baptist and the jealousy of his disciples. Ουν — Oun is very common in John‘s Gospel in such transitions. The Lord So the best manuscripts (Neutral Alexandrian), though the Western class has ο Ιησους — ho Iēsous Mark usually has ο Ιησους — ho Iēsous and Luke often ο Κυριος — ho Kurios In the narrative portion of John we have usually ο Ιησους — ho Iēsous but ο Κυριος — ho Kurios in five passages (John 4:1; John 6:23; John 11:2; John 20:20; John 21:12). There is no reason why John should not apply ο Κυριος — ho Kurios to Jesus in the narrative sections as well as Luke. Bernard argues that these are “explanatory glosses,” not in the first draft of the Gospel. But why? When John wrote his Gospel he certainly held Jesus to be Κυριος — Kurios (Lord) as Luke did earlier when he wrote both Gospel and Acts This is hypercriticism. Knew Second aorist active indicative of γινωσκω — ginōskō The Pharisees knew this obvious fact. It was easy for Jesus to know the attitude of the Pharisees about it (John 2:24). Already the Pharisees are suspicious of Jesus. How that Declarative οτι — hoti (indirect assertion). Was making and baptizing more disciples than John Present active indicative in both verbs retained in indirect discourse. Recall the tremendous success of John‘s early ministry (Mark 1:5; Matthew 3:5; Luke 3:7, Luke 3:15) in order to see the significance of this statement that Jesus had forged ahead of him in popular favour. Already the Pharisees had turned violently against John who had called them broods of vipers. It is most likely that they drew John out about the marriage of Herod Antipas and got him involved directly with the tetrarch so as to have him cast into prison (Luke 3:19.). Josephus (Ant. XVIII. v. 2) gives a public reason for this act of Herod Antipas, the fear that John would “raise a rebellion,” probably the public reason for his private vengeance as given by Luke. Apparently John was cast into prison, though recently still free (John 3:24), before Jesus left for Galilee. The Pharisees, with John out of the way, turn to Jesus with envy and hate. [source]
Acts 28:3 A bundle of sticks [πρυγανων τι πλητος]
“Some multitude (or pile) of dry twigs” Laid (επιτεντος — epithentos). So genitive absolute again with second aorist active participle of επιτιτημι — epitithēmi to place upon. Few things show Paul to better advantage than this incident. By reason of the heat Old word, only here in N.T. Ablative case with απο — apo (from the heat). The viper was in a state of torpor in the bundle of sticks. The heat wakened him. A viper (εχιδνα — echidna). The old word used by the Baptist of the Pharisees (Matthew 3:7; Luke 3:7) and by Jesus also (Matthew 12:34; Matthew 23:33). It is objected that there is little wood in the island today and no vipers, though Lewin as late as 1853 believes that he saw a viper near St. Paul‘s Bay. But the island now has 1, 200 people to the square mile and snakes of any kind have a poor chance. The viper has also disappeared from Arran as the island became more frequented (Knowling). Ramsay thinks that the small constrictor (Coronella Austriaca) which still exists in the island may be the “viper,” though it has no poison fangs, but clings and bites. The natives thought that it was a poisonous viper. Fastened on his hand First aorist active indicative of καταπτω — kathaptō to fasten down on with the genitive case. Old verb, here only in N.T. Cf. Mark 16:18. [source]
Acts 28:3 By reason of the heat [απο της τερμης]
Old word, only here in N.T. Ablative case with απο — apo (from the heat). The viper was in a state of torpor in the bundle of sticks. The heat wakened him. A viper (εχιδνα — echidna). The old word used by the Baptist of the Pharisees (Matthew 3:7; Luke 3:7) and by Jesus also (Matthew 12:34; Matthew 23:33). It is objected that there is little wood in the island today and no vipers, though Lewin as late as 1853 believes that he saw a viper near St. Paul‘s Bay. But the island now has 1, 200 people to the square mile and snakes of any kind have a poor chance. The viper has also disappeared from Arran as the island became more frequented (Knowling). Ramsay thinks that the small constrictor (Coronella Austriaca) which still exists in the island may be the “viper,” though it has no poison fangs, but clings and bites. The natives thought that it was a poisonous viper. Fastened on his hand First aorist active indicative of καταπτω — kathaptō to fasten down on with the genitive case. Old verb, here only in N.T. Cf. Mark 16:18. [source]
Acts 28:3 A viper [εχιδνα]
The old word used by the Baptist of the Pharisees (Matthew 3:7; Luke 3:7) and by Jesus also (Matthew 12:34; Matthew 23:33). It is objected that there is little wood in the island today and no vipers, though Lewin as late as 1853 believes that he saw a viper near St. Paul‘s Bay. But the island now has 1, 200 people to the square mile and snakes of any kind have a poor chance. The viper has also disappeared from Arran as the island became more frequented (Knowling). Ramsay thinks that the small constrictor (Coronella Austriaca) which still exists in the island may be the “viper,” though it has no poison fangs, but clings and bites. The natives thought that it was a poisonous viper. [source]
Acts 9:16 I will shew [υποδειχω]
Beforehand as a warning as in Luke 3:7 and from time to time. [source]
Galatians 3:7 The same are sons of Abraham [ουτοι υιοι εισιν Αβρααμ]
“These are.” This is Paul‘s astounding doctrine to Jews that the real sons of Abraham are those who believe as he did, “they which be of faith” (οι εκ πιστεως — hoi ek pisteōs), a common idiom with Paul for this idea (Galatians 3:9; Romans 3:26; Romans 4:16; Romans 14:23), those whose spiritual sonship springs out of (εκ — ek) faith, not out of blood. John the Baptist denounced the Pharisees and Sadducees as vipers though descendants of Abraham (Matthew 3:7; Luke 3:7) and Jesus termed the Pharisees children of the devil and not spiritual children of Abraham (not children of God) in John 8:37-44. [source]
1 Thessalonians 1:10 The wrath to come [τῆς ὀργῆς τῆς ἐρχομένης]
Lit. the wrath which is coming. The wrath, absolutely, of the wrath of God, as Romans 5:9Romans 7:19; 1 Thessalonians 2:16. Sometimes for the punishment which wrath inflicts, as Romans 12:4; Ephesians 5:6; Colossians 3:6. See on John 3:36. The phrase wrath to come is found in Matthew 3:7; Luke 3:7. Coming does not necessarily imply the thought of speedy or imminent approach, but the general tone of the Epistle points in that direction. [source]

What do the individual words in Luke 3:7 mean?

He was saying therefore to the coming out crowds to be baptized by him Offspring of vipers who forewarned you to flee from the coming wrath
Ἔλεγεν οὖν τοῖς ἐκπορευομένοις ὄχλοις βαπτισθῆναι ὑπ’ αὐτοῦ Γεννήματα ἐχιδνῶν τίς ὑπέδειξεν ὑμῖν φυγεῖν ἀπὸ τῆς μελλούσης ὀργῆς

Ἔλεγεν  He  was  saying 
Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: λέγω  
Sense: to speak, say.
τοῖς  to  the 
Parse: Article, Dative Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἐκπορευομένοις  coming  out 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: ἐκπορεύομαι  
Sense: to go forth, go out, depart.
ὄχλοις  crowds 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: ὄχλος  
Sense: a crowd.
βαπτισθῆναι  to  be  baptized 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Passive
Root: βαπτίζω  
Sense: to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge (of vessels sunk).
Γεννήματα  Offspring 
Parse: Noun, Vocative Neuter Plural
Root: γένημα 
Sense: that which has been born or begotten.
ἐχιδνῶν  of  vipers 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Plural
Root: ἔχιδνα  
Sense: a viper, offspring of vipers.
ὑπέδειξεν  forewarned 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ὑποδείκνυμι 
Sense: to show by placing under (i.
φυγεῖν  to  flee 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Active
Root: φεύγω  
Sense: to flee away, seek safety by flight.
μελλούσης  coming 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: μέλλω  
Sense: to be about.
ὀργῆς  wrath 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: ὀργή  
Sense: anger, the natural disposition, temper, character.