Matthew 23:33 kjva — Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

King James Version with Apocrypha

"Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?"

— Matthew 23:33, King James Version with Apocrypha

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Matthew 23:33 in Other Translations

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Matthew 23 — Context

30

And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.

31

Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.

32

Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.

33

Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

34

Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:

35

That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

36

Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.

Matthew 23:33 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Matthew 23:33 say?
Matthew 23:33 in the King James Version with Apocrypha reads: “Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?”
Where is Matthew 23:33 in the Bible?
Matthew 23:33 is found in the New Testament, in the book of Matthew, chapter 23, verse 33.
Who wrote Matthew?
Matthew is traditionally attributed to Matthew (Levi), tax-collector turned apostle. It was written c. AD 50–70.
What is the book of Matthew about?
Matthew presents Jesus as the long-awaited Jewish Messiah — son of David, son of Abraham, fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. Structured around five great teaching blocks including the Sermon on the Mount, it ends with the risen King commissioning his disciples to make disciples of all nations.
What are the major themes of Matthew?
Matthew explores themes including Kingdom of Heaven, Messiah, Fulfillment, Discipleship, Great Commission. These themes shape the meaning and context of Matthew 23:33.
What translation should I read Matthew 23:33 in?
Matthew 23:33 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Matthew 23:33?
Matthew 23:33 reads (KJVA): “Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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