A.T. Robertson Commentary Matthew 23:33

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

Ye serpents, ye offspring of vipers (οφεις γεννηματα εχιδνων). These blistering words come as a climax and remind one of the Baptist (3:17) and of the time when the Pharisees accused Jesus of being in league with Beelzebub (12:34). They cut to the bone like whipcords.

How shall ye escape (πως φυγητε). Deliberate subjunctive. There is a curse in the Talmud somewhat like this: "Woe to the house of Annas! Woe to their serpent-like hissings."