Mat 3:7-10 | RWP | e4.org | The Pharisees and Sadducees ( των Φαρισαιων κα Σαδδουκαιων ). These two rival parties do not often unite in common action, but do again in . "Here a strong attraction, there a strong repulsion, made them for the moment forget their differences" (McNeile). John saw these rival ecclesiastics "coming for baptism" ( ερχομενους επ το βαπτισμα ). Alford speaks of "the Pharisees representing hypocritical superstition; the Sadducees carnal unbelief." One cannot properly understand the theological atmosphere of Palestine at this time without an adequate knowledge of both Pharisees and Sadducees. The books are numerous besides articles in the Bible dictionaries. I have pictured the Pharisees in my first (1916) Stone Lectures, The Pharisees and Jesus . John clearly grasped the significance of this movement on the part of the Pharisees and Sadducees who had followed the crowds to the Jordan. He had welcomed the multitudes, but right in the presence of the crowds he exposes the hypocrisy of the ecclesiastics. Ye offspring of vipers ( γεννηματα εχιδνων ). Jesus ( ; ) will use the same language to the Pharisees. Broods of snakes were often seen by John in the rocks and when a fire broke out they would scurry ( φυγειν ) to their holes for safety. "The coming wrath" was not just for Gentiles as the Jews supposed, but for all who were not prepared for the kingdom of heaven ( ). No doubt the Pharisees and Sadducees winced under the sting of this powerful indictment.

‏ Matthew 3:7-10

The Pharisees and Sadducees ( των Φαρισαιων κα Σαδδουκαιων ). These two rival parties do not often unite in common action, but do again in Mt 16:1. "Here a strong attraction, there a strong repulsion, made them for the moment forget their differences" (McNeile). John saw these rival ecclesiastics "coming for baptism" ( ερχομενους επ το βαπτισμα ). Alford speaks of "the Pharisees representing hypocritical superstition; the Sadducees carnal unbelief." One cannot properly understand the theological atmosphere of Palestine at this time without an adequate knowledge of both Pharisees and Sadducees. The books are numerous besides articles in the Bible dictionaries. I have pictured the Pharisees in my first (1916) Stone Lectures, The Pharisees and Jesus. John clearly grasped the significance of this movement on the part of the Pharisees and Sadducees who had followed the crowds to the Jordan. He had welcomed the multitudes, but right in the presence of the crowds he exposes the hypocrisy of the ecclesiastics.

Ye offspring of vipers ( γεννηματα εχιδνων ). Jesus (Mt 12:34; 23:33) will use the same language to the Pharisees. Broods of snakes were often seen by John in the rocks and when a fire broke out they would scurry ( φυγειν ) to their holes for safety. "The coming wrath" was not just for Gentiles as the Jews supposed, but for all who were not prepared for the kingdom of heaven (1Th 1:10). No doubt the Pharisees and Sadducees winced under the sting of this powerful indictment.

Fruit worthy of repentance ( Καρπον αξιον της μετανοιας ). John demands proof from these men of the new life before he administers baptism to them. "The fruit is not the change of heart, but the acts which result from it" (McNeile). It was a bold deed for John thus to challenge as unworthy the very ones who posed as lights and leaders of the Jewish people. "Any one can do ( ποιησατε, ςιδε Ge 1:11) acts externally good but only a good man can grow a crop of right acts and habits" (Bruce).

And think not to say within yourselves ( κα μη δοξητε λεγειν εν εαυτοις ). John touched the tender spot, their ecclesiastical pride. They felt that the "merits of the fathers," especially of Abraham, were enough for all Israelites. At once John made clear that, reformer as he was, a breach existed between him and the religious leaders of the time.

Of these stones ( εκ των λιθων τουτων ). "Pointing, as he spoke to the pebbles on the beach of the Jordan" (Vincent).

Is the axe laid ( η αξινη κειτα ). This verb κειτα is used as the perfect passive of τιθημ. But the idea really is, "the axe lies at ( προς, before) the root of the trees." It is there ready for business. The prophetic present occurs also with "is hewn down" and "cast."