A brood implies a family, a domestic unit, certainly that's a civil thought. And as to vipers, well Jesus --as an environmentalist-- was not swayed by the species predjudices of His day. By calling the pharisees vipers He was no doubt commending them on their ability to use their tongues to such great effect. Their eloquence, yeah that's the ticket.
"Brood of Vipers!"... He is commending them as well spoken, family friendly group of guys. Sounds civil to me.
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The question is how should we be civil to one another and when is rebuke appropriate?
Posted by RnMomof7 to Revelation 911 On Religion May 7 10:51 AM #171 of 177 Do you think Jesus was civil?
what I think is unimportant. However, to the believer yes, to the unbeliever, no.
Are you baiting, or are we going to speak to each other with civility?
It's telling to notice exactly for whom Jesus had his harshest words. He was very gentle with the humble / teachable sinners, but he absolutely slammed the legalistic, politically correct, "religious zealot" _sinners_ who presumed to think that they knew better than he did what love is, and how people "should behave" if they want to be "pleasing to God".
If you notice --- Jesus' words and behavior never could measure up to their standards. :D