γεννήματα ἐχιδνῶν. Cp. ch. Matthew 3:7. Here the argument is turned round against the Pharisees: ‘your words and works are evil, and spring from an evil source.’

The burst of indignation after an argument calmly stated resembles the turn in St Stephen’s speech (Acts 7:51) σκληροτράχηλοι, καὶ�.τ.λ.

πῶς δύνασθε�.τ.λ. Closely connected with the preceding thought, but further illustrated by two figures—the overflow as of a cistern, and the abundance of a treasury.

περίσσευμα. Cp. περισσεύματα κλασαάτων. Mark 8:8. Here words are regarded as the overflow of the heart.

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Old Testament