Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 23:33

"Ye serpents, ye offspring of vipers, how shall ye escape the judgment of hell?" — Matthew 23:33 (ASV)

You serpents. This name is given to them because they pretended to be pious and very devoted to God, but were secretly evil. In their hearts, despite all their pretenses, they were filled with evil designs, as the serpent was (Genesis 3:1–5).

Generation of vipers. See the notes on Matthew 12:34.

Damnation of hell. This refers, undoubtedly, to future punishment. So great was their wickedness and hypocrisy that if they persisted in this course, it was impossible for them to escape the damnation that would come upon the guilty.

This is the sternest language that Jesus ever used to wicked men. However, it by no means authorizes ministers to use such language to sinners today.

Christ knew that this was true of them. He had an authority which no one now has. It is not the role of ministers to denounce judgment or to use severe names, least of all to do it on the pretense of imitating Christ.

He knew the hearts of men; we do not know them. He had authority to declare with certainty that those whom He addressed would be lost; we have no such authority. He addressed persons; we address characters.