{Ye serpents, ye offspring of vipers} (opheis genn(886d)ata
echidn(936e)). 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 whip-cords. {How shall ye escape} (p(9373)
phug(8874)e). Deliberate subjunctive. There is a curse in the Talmud
somewhat like this: "Woe to the house of Annas! Woe to their
serpent-like hissings."