Matthew 12:34

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

You children of snakes! Since you are evil, how do you expect to speak good things? For the mouth speaks what the heart is filled with.

Cross References

Matthew 12:35

The good person produces good things from his storehouse of goodness. But the evil person produces bad things from his storehouse of evil.

Matthew 15:18

But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from his heart. These are what [spiritually] corrupt a person.

Matthew 23:33

You snakes! You children of snakes! How do you expect to escape being judged [and condemned] in hell?

Matthew 3:7

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to be immersed, John said to them, “You children of snakes, who warned you to run away from the coming wrath [of God]?

Luke 3:7

He said to the crowds of people that went out [to the desert] to be immersed by him, “You children of snakes, who warned you to run away from the coming wrath [of God]?

Luke 6:45

The good person produces good things from the goodness stored up in his heart. And the evil person produces bad things from the evil [stored up in his heart]. For his mouth speaks what his heart is filled with.

John 8:44

You belong to your father the devil, and you are [always] wanting to do what your father desires. He was a murderer from the [very] beginning [Note: This is probably a reference to Satan’s influence on Adam, Eve and Cain in the Garden of Eden] and does not stand for the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he only speaks what is part of his nature, because he is a liar and the father of [all] liars.

Ephesians 4:29

Do not allow unwholesome [Note: The Greek word for “unwholesome” is “rotten, diseased”] language to come from your mouth, but only what is helpful for building up those who need it, so that you can impart favor [i.e., benefit] to those who listen [to you].

Ephesians 5:4

Nor should obscenity, silly chatter or double-meaning jokes be used, because they are not proper either. But instead, [you should express] thanksgiving.

James 3:2

For we all make mistakes in many areas [of life]. If anyone does not make a mistake in what he says, he is a perfect person, capable of keeping a tight rein on his whole life also.

1 John 3:10

Here is how the children of God and the children of the devil can be recognized: All those who do not continue to do what is right do not belong to God. Also, the person who does not continue to love his brother [or sister does not belong to God].