Definition: But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Matthew 3:7. It's a really important part of Jesus’ teaching and has a lot of meaning. Here’s what it says in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: Jesus is facing opposition – people are criticizing him and calling him a troublemaker. He’s being baptized, which is a symbolic act of repentance and cleansing. He's noticing that many people are preparing to criticize him and warn people about the coming bad things. Let’s unpack it: “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism…” – This means Jesus was witnessing a gathering of people who were known for being critical of him, often those who were part of the religious leadership (like the Pharisees and Saddusees). They had been warning people about coming troubles. “…he said unto them, O generation of vipers…” – "Vipers" is a tricky word. It means someone who’s trying to deceive or lead others astray. They're not genuine messengers of good. “who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” – This is the core of the verse. Jesus is asking, “Are you really warning people about the coming bad things? Are you telling them to prepare for disaster?” What does this mean in a nutshell? Jesus is saying that some people are trying to create problems and chaos before God’s judgment comes. They're focused on fear and negativity, rather than on trusting in God's plan and preparing for good things. Why is this important? This verse reminds us: Don’t be fooled by negativity: It’s easy to get caught up in worrying about the future, but Jesus urges us to focus on hope and trust in God’s plan. God's timing is wise: Jesus is saying that God’s judgments aren’t random or impulsive; they’re carefully planned and timed for a reason. In short, Jesus is urging people to be cautious and avoid being consumed by fear. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific theme in the Bible (like repentance or hope)?