John Calvin Commentary Luke 3:7

"He said therefore to the multitudes that went out to be baptized of him, Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" — Luke 3:7 (ASV)

Regarding the loud and open rebuke, which was administered to them before everyone, it was for the benefit of others; and that is the reason why Luke mentions that it was addressed to multitudes, (Luke 3:7). Although the persons whom John reproved were few in number, his design was to strike terror into all; as Paul instructs us to regard it as the advantage of public rebukes, that others also may fear (1 Timothy 5:20). He addresses the Pharisees and Sadducees directly, and at the same time, addresses through them a warning to all, not to present a hypocritical appearance of repentance instead of a true feeling of the heart. Besides, it was very important for the whole nation to know²⁶³ what kind of people the Pharisees and Sadducees were, who had miserably corrupted the worship of God, devastated the church, and overturned all of religion—in a word, who had extinguished the light of God by their corruptions and infected everything with their crimes.

It is probable, therefore, that John publicly attacked the Pharisees for the benefit of the whole church of God, so that they might no longer dazzle the eyes of simple people with empty show, or hold the populace in oppression through wicked tyranny. In this respect, it was a remarkable display of his firmness that those who were highly esteemed by others were not spared on account of their reputation but were sternly reduced, as they deserved, to their proper rank. And thus all godly instructors ought to be zealous, not to fear any human power, but boldly strive to cast down every high thing that exalteth itself against Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).

If John, the instrument of the Holy Spirit, used such severe language in his opening address to those who voluntarily came to be baptized and to make a public profession of the gospel, how then should we act toward the avowed enemies of Christ? These enemies not only obstinately reject all that belongs to sound doctrine, but their efforts to extinguish the name of Christ are violently pursued with fire and sword. Most certainly, if you compare the Pope and his abominable clergy with the Pharisees and Sadducees, the mildest possible way of dealing with them will be to throw them all into one bundle. Those whose ears are so delicate that they cannot bear to hear anything harsh said against the Pope must argue not with us, but with the Spirit of God.

Yet godly teachers should beware that, while they are influenced by holy zeal against the tyrants of the Church, they do not mingle with it carnal affections. And since no vehemence that is not regulated by the wisdom of the Spirit can obtain divine approval, let them not only restrain their feelings but also surrender themselves to the Holy Spirit and implore His guidance, so that nothing may escape them through oversight.²⁶⁴

Offspring of vipers. He gives them this name, instead of simply calling them vipers, in order to expose the poisonous malice of the whole class. For he intended to condemn not merely those few persons who were present, but the entire group, and to charge both sects with producing nothing but serpents. They had vehement disputes with each other, no doubt, but all were agreed in despising God, in a wicked desire to rule, in hatred of sound doctrine, and in a disgusting mass of numerous crimes.

Who warned you? Because he suspected their repentance, he asks the question with doubt and wonder, whether it is possible that they repent sincerely. In this way, he summons them to the inner court of conscience, so that they may thoroughly examine themselves and, laying aside all flattery, may conduct a severe investigation into their crimes.

Wrath is used here, as in many other places, for the judgment of God, as when Paul says, The law worketh wrath (Romans 4:15), and Give place to wraths²⁶⁵ (Romans 12:19). He calls it the wrath to come, which hangs over their heads, so that they may not indulge in their usual carelessness. For, though the wrath of God overflows and His chastisements strike the whole world, hypocrites always entertain the hope that they will escape.

To flee from the wrath of God is used here in a good sense; that is, to seek ways to appease God, so that He may no longer be angry with us. For many people, in order to escape the wrath of God, withdraw themselves from His guidance and authority. But all that the sinner gains by fleeing from God is to provoke God's wrath against him more and more.

²⁶³ “Davantage, tout le peuple avoit grand interest d'estre advertis quelles gens estoyent les Sadduciens et Pharisiens.” — “Besides, all the people had a deep interest in being warned what sort of people the Sadducees and Pharisees were.”.” — “Besides, all the people had a deep interest in being warned what sort of people the Sadducees and Pharisees were.”

²⁶⁴ “Afin qu'il ne leur eschappe aucun mot inconsiderement, et a la volee;” — “that no word may escape them inconsiderately, and at random.”;” — “that no word may escape them inconsiderately, and at random.”

²⁶⁵ “Il fait mention du temps avenir, parce que les hypocrites, tandis que Dieu les espargne, desprisent hardiment toutes ses menaces, et ne se resveillent jamais, sinon qu’il frappe dessus a grands coups.” — “He mentions the future, because hypocrites, so long as God spares them, despise boldly all his threatenings, and never awake, till he strikes them with heavy strokes.”.” — “He mentions the future, because hypocrites, so long as God spares them, despise boldly all his threatenings, and never awake, till he strikes them with heavy strokes.”