Topical Bible: Hypocrites

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Definition and Origin
The term "hypocrite" originates from the Greek word "hypokrites," which means an actor or a stage player. In the biblical context, a hypocrite is someone who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that they do not actually possess. This pretense is often for the purpose of deceiving others or gaining some form of advantage.

Biblical References
The Bible frequently addresses the issue of hypocrisy, particularly in the teachings of Jesus Christ. Hypocrisy is condemned as a serious moral failing, as it involves deceit and a lack of genuine faith or righteousness.

1. Old Testament: Although the term "hypocrite" is not explicitly used in the Old Testament, the concept is present. The prophets often rebuked the Israelites for their insincere worship and failure to live according to God's commandments. For example, Isaiah 29:13 states, "Therefore the Lord said: 'These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.'"

2. New Testament: The New Testament, particularly the Gospels, contains numerous references to hypocrisy. Jesus frequently criticized the Pharisees and scribes for their hypocritical behavior. In Matthew 23:27-28 , Jesus declares, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness."

3. Parables and Teachings: Jesus used parables to illustrate the dangers of hypocrisy. In the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14), Jesus contrasts the self-righteous Pharisee, who boasts of his own piety, with the humble tax collector, who acknowledges his sinfulness. The parable concludes with the tax collector being justified before God, highlighting the importance of genuine repentance over outward appearances.

Characteristics of Hypocrites
Hypocrites are often characterized by their focus on external appearances rather than internal righteousness. They may adhere strictly to religious rituals and laws while neglecting the weightier matters of justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23). Hypocrites are also known for their tendency to judge others harshly while failing to recognize their own faults, as illustrated in Jesus' teaching about the speck and the plank (Matthew 7:3-5).

Consequences of Hypocrisy
The Bible warns of severe consequences for those who engage in hypocrisy. Hypocrites are often depicted as being subject to God's judgment and wrath. In Matthew 24:51 , Jesus warns that the hypocrite will be "cut to pieces and assigned a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." This imagery underscores the seriousness with which God views hypocrisy.

Exhortations to Avoid Hypocrisy
Believers are exhorted to live lives of sincerity and truth, avoiding the pitfalls of hypocrisy. The Apostle Paul encourages Christians to "love without hypocrisy" (Romans 12:9) and to live in a manner that is consistent with their professed faith. James 1:22 further admonishes believers to "be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."

Conclusion
While the Bible provides numerous examples and warnings against hypocrisy, it also offers a path to genuine faith and righteousness through repentance, humility, and a sincere commitment to God's commandments.

Greek

5273. hupokrites -- one who answers, an actor, a hypocrite
... Word Origin from hupokrinomai Definition one who answers, an actor, a hypocrite
NASB Word Usage hypocrite (2), hypocrites (16). hypocrite. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5273.htm - 7k

Library

Psalm 50 Part 3 the Judgment of Hypocrites.
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 50 PART 3 The judgment of hypocrites. v.1,5,8,16,21,22
CM. The judgment of hypocrites. When Christ to judgment shall descend,. ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/psalm 50 part 3 the.htm

"Those Hypocrites. "
... "Those Hypocrites.". "I won't accept this invitation because of those hypocrites
in the churches." My friend, you will find very few there if you get to heaven. ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/those hypocrites.htm

Psalm 50:3. 1 5 8 16 21 22. 3D Part. CM The Judgement of ...
... Psalm 50:3. 1 5 8 16 21 22. 3d Part. CM The judgement of hypocrites. ... 3
"And what have hypocrites to do "To bring their sacrifice? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/the psalms of david/psalm 50 3 0 1 5 8.htm

That God's Lover Forsakes the World, Idleness and Irksomeness: and ...
... THE FIRE OF LOVE. BOOK I CHAPTER X THAT GOD'S LOVER FORSAKES THE WORLD, IDLENESS
AND IRKSOMENESS: AND OF HYPOCRITES AND COVETOUS MEN. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter x that gods lover.htm

Matt. vi. 16
... VI. 16. Matt. VI.16. "And when ye fast, be not as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance.
For they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast.". ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xx matt vi 16.htm

Discourse of Jesus against the Scribes and Pharisees.
... exalted. "But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ... enter.
"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/discourse of jesus against the.htm

Whether Hypocrisy is the Same as Dissimulation?
... showing outwardly what one does inwardly, according to Mat.6:2, "When thou dost
an alms-deed sound not a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do." Therefore ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether hypocrisy is the same.htm

Jesus Condemns those who Pretend to be Good
... your fingers. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You shut ... come
in. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/jesus condemns those who pretend.htm

And when Jesus Entered the Temple, they Brought unto Him Blind And ...
... [42] [2766] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ... [43] [2768]
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section xl and when jesus.htm

Chapter ii.
... 5. "Therefore, when thou doest thine alms," says He, "do not sound a trumpet before
thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter ii 2.htm

Thesaurus

Hypocrites (22 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Hypocrites (22 Occurrences). ... Matthew 6:16 "Moreover
when you fast, don't be like the hypocrites, with sad faces. ...
/h/hypocrites.htm - 13k

Woe (102 Occurrences)
... Matthew 23:13 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! ... Matthew
23:14 "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! ...
/w/woe.htm - 37k

Wo (92 Occurrences)
... Matthew 23:13 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! ... Matthew
23:14 "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! ...
/w/wo.htm - 33k

Teachers (87 Occurrences)
... Matthew 23:13 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! ... (See NIV). Matthew
23:15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! ...
/t/teachers.htm - 31k

Full (1047 Occurrences)
... Matthew 6:2 Therefore when you do merciful deeds, don't sound a trumpet before yourself,
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they ...
/f/full.htm - 36k

Appear (111 Occurrences)
... Matthew 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites; for they
love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets so ...
/a/appear.htm - 39k

Yourselves (530 Occurrences)
... (ASV DBY). Matthew 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! ... Matthew
23:14 "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! ...
/y/yourselves.htm - 36k

Verily (146 Occurrences)
... Matthew 6:2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before
thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may ...
/v/verily.htm - 39k

Whenever (123 Occurrences)
... Matthew 6:2 whenever, therefore, thou mayest do kindness, thou mayest not sound
a trumpet before thee as the hypocrites do, in the synagogues, and in the ...
/w/whenever.htm - 36k

Received (312 Occurrences)
... Matthew 6:2 Therefore when you do merciful deeds, don't sound a trumpet before yourself,
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they ...
/r/received.htm - 35k

Resources

Why are all Christians hypocrites? Are all Christians hypocrites? | GotQuestions.org

Why did Jesus refer to the Pharisees as a “child of hell” in Matthew 23:15? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that we should not let our left hand know what our right hand is doing (Matthew 6:3 4)? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Hypocrites (22 Occurrences)

Matthew 6:2
Therefore when you do merciful deeds, don't sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may get glory from men. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 6:5
"When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Most certainly, I tell you, they have received their reward.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 6:16
"Moreover when you fast, don't be like the hypocrites, with sad faces. For they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen by men to be fasting. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 15:7
You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying,
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 16:3
In the morning,'It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.' Hypocrites! You know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but you can't discern the signs of the times!
(WEB KJV WBS YLT)

Matthew 22:18
But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, "Why do you test me, you hypocrites?
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 23:13
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows' houses, and as a pretense you make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 23:14
"But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men; for you don't enter in yourselves, neither do you allow those who are entering in to enter.
(WEB KJV WEY BBE DBY WBS)

Matthew 23:15
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel around by sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much of a son of Gehenna as yourselves.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 23:23
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cumin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faith. But you ought to have done these, and not to have left the other undone.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 23:25
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and unrighteousness.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 23:27
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitened tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but inwardly are full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 23:29
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and decorate the tombs of the righteous,
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 24:51
and will cut him in pieces, and appoint his portion with the hypocrites. There is where the weeping and grinding of teeth will be.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Mark 7:6
He answered them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written,'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 11:44
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like hidden graves, and the men who walk over them don't know it."
(WEB KJV WBS YLT)

Luke 12:56
You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, but how is it that you don't interpret this time?
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 13:15
Therefore the Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Doesn't each one of you free his ox or his donkey from the stall on the Sabbath, and lead him away to water?
(WEB WEY ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Job 15:34
For the congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate, and fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery.
(KJV WBS)

Job 36:13
But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them.
(KJV WBS)

Psalms 26:4
I have not sat with deceitful men, neither will I go in with hypocrites.
(WEB NIV)

Isaiah 33:14
The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?
(KJV DBY WBS)

Subtopics

Hypocrites

Hypocrites in Power, are a Snare

Hypocrites: Absalom

Hypocrites: Ananias

Hypocrites: Apparently Zealous in the Things of God

Hypocrites: Beware the Principles of

Hypocrites: Cain

Hypocrites: Censorious

Hypocrites: Christ Knew and Detected

Hypocrites: Covetous

Hypocrites: Destroy Others by Slander