Mat 3:7 | PNT | STEP | When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees . The two principal religious sects. (1) The first originated in the time of the Maccabees, and were a kind of Jewish Puritans, but had in the Savior's time degenerated into a set of formalists, who paid far more attention to outward forms than to inner life. They were scrupulous in observing ceremonies, very orthodox, but were filled with spiritual pride. From an early period of Christ's ministry they opposed him. (2) The other principal sect of the Jews, the Sadducees, derived their name from Sadduc, the founder of the sect; were irreligious, sensual and skeptical. They were materialists, and denied "angel, spirit, or the resurrection of the dead" ( ). Annas and Caiaphas, the high priests, were Sadducees. Generation of vipers . The guilty corrupted race had become a generation of vipers; not only poisonous, hateful to God, hating one another. The viper is hateful, full of hate, and dangerous. Who hath warned you ? Malachi ( ) had predicted the wrath to come. John's question expresses doubt of their sincerity.

‏ Matthew 3:7

When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees. The two principal religious sects. (1) The first originated in the time of the Maccabees, and were a kind of Jewish Puritans, but had in the Savior's time degenerated into a set of formalists, who paid far more attention to outward forms than to inner life. They were scrupulous in observing ceremonies, very orthodox, but were filled with spiritual pride. From an early period of Christ's ministry they opposed him. (2) The other principal sect of the Jews, the Sadducees, derived their name from Sadduc, the founder of the sect; were irreligious, sensual and skeptical. They were materialists, and denied "angel, spirit, or the resurrection of the dead" (Ac 23:8). Annas and Caiaphas, the high priests, were Sadducees.

Generation of vipers. The guilty corrupted race had become a generation of vipers; not only poisonous, hateful to God, hating one another. The viper is hateful, full of hate, and dangerous.

Who hath warned you? Malachi (Mal 3:2 4:5) had predicted the wrath to come. John's question expresses doubt of their sincerity.