In biblical literature, serpents often symbolize deceit, cunning, and malevolence. This imagery is particularly potent when applied to hypocrites, who are depicted as individuals whose outward appearance of righteousness masks their inner corruption and deceit.

The metaphor of serpents to describe hypocrites is most prominently found in the New Testament, where Jesus Christ uses this imagery to condemn the religious leaders of His time. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus addresses the Pharisees and scribes with scathing rebuke, highlighting their duplicity and moral bankruptcy. He declares, "You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape the sentence of hell?" (Matthew 23:33). This denunciation underscores the severity of their hypocrisy, as they are likened to serpents—creatures traditionally associated with danger and treachery.

The use of serpents as a metaphor for hypocrites is rooted in the broader biblical narrative, where serpents are first introduced in the Garden of Eden. The serpent in Genesis 3 is a cunning creature that deceives Eve, leading to the fall of humanity. This association with deception and sin carries through to the New Testament, where serpents become emblematic of those who lead others astray through false appearances and deceitful practices.

In Matthew 12:34, Jesus again uses the serpent imagery when addressing the Pharisees: "You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks" . Here, the serpent metaphor emphasizes the incongruity between the Pharisees' outward expressions and their inner moral state. Their words, though seemingly righteous, betray the evil that resides within their hearts.

The Apostle Paul also alludes to the serpent imagery in his epistles, warning against those who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ but are, in reality, deceitful workers. In 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, Paul writes, "For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness" . The serpent-like deception of these false apostles mirrors the hypocrisy condemned by Jesus, as they present a façade of piety while serving the purposes of evil.

The imagery of serpents as hypocrites serves as a powerful warning against duplicity and the dangers of false righteousness. It calls believers to genuine faith and integrity, urging them to align their outward actions with their inner convictions. The biblical portrayal of serpents as symbols of hypocrisy underscores the importance of sincerity and truthfulness in the life of faith, reminding Christians to guard against the subtle deceptions that can lead them away from the path of righteousness.Matthew 23:33
You serpents, you generation of vipers, how can you escape the damnation of hell?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Discourse of Jesus against the Scribes and Pharisees.
... "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! ... Ye serpents, ye offspring
of vipers, how shall ye escape the judgment of hell? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/discourse of jesus against the.htm

The King's Farewell
... Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! ... Ye serpents, ye generation
of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell! 34. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the kings farewell.htm

And when Jesus Entered the Temple, they Brought unto Him Blind And ...
... [61] [2795] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! ... [2800] Ye serpents,
ye children of vipers, where shall ye flee from the judgement of Gehenna? ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section xl and when jesus.htm

Jesus' Last Public Discourse. Denunciation of Scribes and ...
... that men are deceived into thinking that the inside is harmless.] 29 Woe unto you,
scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! ... [See p.314.] 33 Ye serpents, ye offspring ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cx jesus last public discourse.htm

The Third Part of the Articles.
... And you hypocrites, who do not need repentance, you serpents' brood, who has assured
you that you will escape the wrath to come? etc. Matt.3, 7; Luke 3, 7. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the smalcald articles/the third part of the.htm

Of Evil-Speaking in General.
... Saviour speaketh of them in the same terms; calleth them an "evil and adulterous
generation, serpents, and children of vipers. Hypocrites, painted sepulchres ...
/.../barrow/sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/of evil-speaking in general.htm

Jesus About his Father's Business
... Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! ... Ye serpents, ye generation
of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/jesus about his fathers business.htm

Psalm LVIII.
... But now because in one way ye speak, in another way judge, hypocrites ye are: "Why
tempt ye Me, ye hypocrites?" Now I ... [2190] Asps they were, serpents they were ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lviii.htm

The Law of the Lord.
... from shewing to men the awful side of His character; did not shrink from saying,
"Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites. Ye serpents, ye generation ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon x the law of.htm

The God of the Old Testament is the God of the New
... Passion Week, there went forth the most awful threats which ever were uttered,
'Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites. Ye serpents, ye generation of ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon xi the god of.htm

What does it mean to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves (Matthew 10:16)? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about snakes? Are snakes evil? | GotQuestions.org

Why did John the Baptist refer to the Pharisees as a brood of vipers? | GotQuestions.org

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