Topical Bible: Hypocrisy: Johanan

◄ Hypocrisy: Johanan ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Introduction

Hypocrisy, a term denoting the act of pretending to have beliefs, virtues, or feelings that one does not truly possess, is a recurring theme in the Bible. It is often condemned as a sin that leads to spiritual and moral decay. The Bible provides numerous examples of hypocrisy, both in the Old and New Testaments, serving as a warning to believers to maintain sincerity and integrity in their faith. One such example is found in the actions of Johanan, a leader during the tumultuous period following the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians.

Johanan in Context

Johanan, the son of Kareah, was a military leader during the time of the prophet Jeremiah. After the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC, the remnant of Judah was left in a state of chaos and fear. Gedaliah, appointed by the Babylonians as governor over the land, was assassinated by Ishmael, a member of the royal family. Johanan, who had previously warned Gedaliah of the assassination plot, pursued Ishmael and rescued the captives he had taken (Jeremiah 41:11-16).

The Hypocrisy of Johanan

Despite his initial appearance as a defender of the people, Johanan's subsequent actions reveal a deeper hypocrisy. After rescuing the captives, Johanan and the other leaders approached Jeremiah, asking him to seek God's guidance for their next steps. They promised to obey whatever the Lord commanded through the prophet, saying, "Whether it is favorable or unfavorable, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God to whom we are sending you, so that it may go well with us, for we will obey the voice of the LORD our God!" (Jeremiah 42:6).

However, when Jeremiah delivered God's message, instructing them to remain in the land and not flee to Egypt, Johanan and the leaders rejected the divine counsel. They accused Jeremiah of lying and decided to lead the remnant to Egypt, directly contradicting their earlier vow to obey God's word (Jeremiah 43:2-7). This act of disobedience, despite their professed commitment to follow God's will, exemplifies the essence of hypocrisy.

Biblical Perspective on Hypocrisy

The Bible consistently condemns hypocrisy, emphasizing the importance of genuine faith and obedience. Jesus Christ, in the New Testament, frequently rebuked the Pharisees for their hypocritical behavior, highlighting the danger of outward religiosity without inward transformation. In Matthew 23:27-28 , Jesus declares, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear 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."

Johanan's account serves as a cautionary tale, illustrating how easily one can fall into the trap of hypocrisy. His failure to align his actions with his professed beliefs led to dire consequences for himself and the people he led. The Bible calls believers to a life of authenticity, where one's actions consistently reflect their faith and commitment to God's will.

Nave's Topical Index

Jeremiah 42:1-12,20,22
Then all the captains of the forces, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least even to the greatest, came near,
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The First Sayings of Jesus --His Ideas of a Divine Father and of a ...
... [Footnote 2: For example, "Rabbi Johanan, the shoemaker ... Even tradition, a thing so
sacred to the Jews, is nothing compared to sincerity.[3] The hypocrisy of the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/renan/the life of jesus/chapter v the first sayings.htm

Machinations of the Enemies of Jesus.
... under the portico, he denounced the official classes, who covered their hypocrisy
or their ... It is thus that the Hebrew name Johanan became in Greek Joannes or ...
/.../renan/the life of jesus/chapter xxii machinations of the.htm