What Jesus Did! 'You Snakes!' — Matthew 23:33-36

Tuesday, November 4, 2025

[To the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, Jesus continued:] "Snakes! Sons of vipers! How will you escape the judgment of hell?

"Therefore, I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers of religious law. But you will kill some by crucifixion, and you will flog others with whips in your synagogues, chasing them from city to city. As a result, you will be held responsible for the murder of all godly people of all time — from the murder of righteous Abel to the murder of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you killed in the Temple between the sanctuary and the altar. I tell you the truth, this judgment will fall on this very generation."

— Matthew 23:33-36 NLT

Key Thought

The Israel of Jesus' day is about to bring down judgment against itself, and especially against Jerusalem. This judgment is because they are about to reject Jesus, God's Son. What's more, they do not just reject him; they scorn him, they brutalize him, and they have him put to death on a Roman cross.

But it isn't Jesus alone who is rejected. Israel had gotten in the habit of ignoring, bullying, and even murdering those prophets who did not give them what they wanted. Jesus' death is not just another transgression; it is the ultimate transgression by the people in a long line of transgressions where prophets were mistreated, abused, and murdered for speaking God's unadulterated truth.

But surely we can do more than honor the prophets of old in our day in some arcane and outdated ritual that "frees" us from having to deal seriously with their teachings. Surely, we can seek to live by the prophets' teachings and have those values built into the fabric of God's family.

Today's Prayer

Father, may I honor the words and the spirit of your will that has been delivered by the prophets. Give me strength and courage, please, dear Lord, so I can be a living example of your truth in my world. In Jesus' name, I ask it fervently. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Matthew 3:7-8
  • Luke 11:45-54
  • Acts 7:51-52

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Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 23:33-36 NLT — "Snakes! Sons of vipers! How will you escape the judgment of hell? "

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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