1 Machabæorum 23:33

Nova Vulgata

Serpentes, genimina viperarum, quomodo fugietis a iudicio gehennae?

Parallel Translations

Clementine Latin Vulgate (1592)
Serpentes genimina viperarum, quomodo fugietis a judicio gehenn� ?

Jerome's Latin Vulgate (405)
Serpentes, genimina viperarum, quomodo fugietis a judicio gehenn�?

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

serpents: Matthew 3:7, Matthew 12:34, Matthew 21:34, Matthew 21:35, Genesis 3:15, Psalms 58:3-5, Isaiah 57:3, Isaiah 57:4, Luke 3:7, John 8:44, 2 Corinthians 11:3, Revelation 12:9

how: Matthew 23:14, Hebrews 2:3, Hebrews 10:29, Hebrews 12:25

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 32:22 - lowest Psalms 2:5 - Then Psalms 58:4 - serpent Isaiah 1:4 - a seed Isaiah 20:6 - and how Isaiah 59:12 - our transgressions Jeremiah 44:14 - shall escape Lamentations 4:13 - that Ezekiel 17:15 - shall he escape Ezekiel 22:4 - and thou hast Matthew 26:4 - by Mark 12:40 - long Luke 6:39 - shall Luke 16:23 - in hell Acts 2:40 - untoward Acts 28:3 - came Romans 2:3 - that thou shalt 1 Corinthians 6:10 - thieves Galatians 5:9 - General 1 Thessalonians 5:3 - and they

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Ye servants, ye generation of vipers,.... The latter of these names, John the Baptist calls the Sadducees and Pharisees by, in Matthew 3:7 and Christ, in Matthew 12:34 both express their craft and subtlety, their inward poison, and venomous nature; their fair outside, and specious pretences; their hypocrisy, malice, and wickedness; in which they were like to the old serpent, their father the devil, and to their ancestors, that murdered the prophets; nor could any good thing be expected, from such a viperous generation:

how can ye escape the damnation of hell? signifying, that it was impossible that they should; nor could they surely expect it themselves, who must be conscious to themselves of their wickedness, malice, and deceit. The Persic version reads it, "where can ye escape?" c. and so Beza says it was read, in one ancient copy of his and the sense is, whither can ye flee? to whom, or what can you have recourse to, to screen you from the wrath to come? Rocks and mountains, caves and dens, will be of no service. The phrase,

דינה של גיהנם, "the judgment, or damnation of hell", is a phrase often used in the Talmud p, and Midrashes q of the Jews; and intends future torment, and the everlasting vengeance and wrath of God, the unquenchable fire prepared for the devil and his angels, and which impenitent unbelieving sinners cannot escape.

p T. Bab. Berncot, fol. 61. 1. Erubin, fol. 18. 2. Yebamot, fol. 102. 2. Sota, fol. 4. 2. & 5. 1. & Bava Bathra, fol. 10. 1. q Bemidbar Rabba, fol. 203. 1. Shirhashirim Rabba, fol. 14. 2. & Midrash Kohelet, fol. 76. 1.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Ye serpents - This name is given to them on account of their pretending to be pious, and very much devoted to God, but being secretly evil, At the heart, with all their pretensions, they were filled with evil designs, as the serpent was, Genesis 3:1-5

Generation of vipers - See the notes at Matthew 12:34.

Damnation of hell - This refers, beyond all question, to future punishment. So great was their wickedness and hypocrisy, that, if they persevered in this course, it was impossible to escape the damnation that should come on the guilty. This is the sternest language that Jesus ever used to wicked people. But it by no means authorizes ministers to use such language to sinners now. Christ knew that this was true of them. He had an authority which none now have. It is not the province of ministers to denounce judgment, or to use severe names, least of all to do it on pretence of imitating Christ. He knew the hearts of people. We know them not. He had authority to declare certainly that those whom he addressed would be lost. We have no such authority. He addressed persons; we address characters.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 33. Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers — What a terrible stroke! - Ye are serpents, and the offspring of serpents. This refers to Matthew 23:31: they confessed that they were the children of those who murdered the prophets; and they are now going to murder Christ and his followers, to show that they have not degenerated - an accursed seed, of an accursed breed. My old MS. translates this passage oddly - Gee serpentis, fruytis of burrownyngis of eddris that sleen her modris. There seems to be here an allusion to a common opinion, that the young of the adder or viper which are brought forth alive eat their way through the womb of their mothers. Hence that ancient enigma attributed to LACTANTIUS: -

Non possum nasci, si non occidero matrem.

Occidi matrem: sed me manet exitus idem.

Id mea mors faciet, quod jam mea fecit origo.

Cael. Firm. Symposium, N. xv.

I never can be born, nor see the day,

Till through my parent's womb I eat my way.

Her I have slain; like her must yield my breath;

For that which gave me life, shall cause my death.

Every person must see with what propriety this was applied to the Jews, who were about to murder the very person who gave them their being and all their blessings.