The answer is: Pharisees and Sadducees

Matt 3:7

In the fascinating world of ancient Judea, John the Baptist was quite a character—a fiery prophet emerging from the wilderness, thronging with followers eager for his message of repentance. When he calls the Pharisees and Sadducees a "brood of vipers" (Matthew 3:7), he wasn’t just throwing out random insults. This sharp comment reflects his view of their spiritual authority, which he believed was as dangerous and venomous as the snakes for which they were compared.

The Pharisees were known for their strict adherence to the Law and for often placing heavy burdens on people, while the Sadducees, a more aristocratic group, denied much of traditional Jewish belief, including the resurrection. By addressing them in such a dramatic fashion, John was essentially railing against those who held power yet lacked true humility and authentic righteousness.

Interestingly, the imagery of snakes trails back through biblical text, as serpents often represent cunning and deception, tracing its roots to the serpent in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). It's pretty intriguing to note that this wasn't just an idle comment; it was a clear call to recognize moral integrity over mere religious appearance.

As listeners today, we can glean an important lesson from John's spirit. He wasn't merely criticizing; he challenged the status quo, encouraging genuine transformation rather than adherence to empty rituals. In the prophetic tales of our past, such directness invites us to rethink our own lives and the true meaning of faith!