"a response, answer; an over-acting personification, acting; hypocrisy, simulation, Mt. 23:28; Mk. 12:15; Lk. 12:1; Gal. 2:13; 1 Tim. 4:2; 1 Pet. 2:1*"
Definition and meaning
a response, answer; an over-acting personification, acting; hypocrisy, simulation, Mt. 23:28; Mk. 12:15; Lk. 12:1; Gal. 2:13; 1 Tim. 4:2; 1 Pet. 2:1*
In the original Greek the word is written: ὑπόκρισις
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of hypokrisis (G5272) across the King James Bible.
Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it.
In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
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Common questions
Strong's G5272 (hypokrisis) is a Greek word that means: a response, answer; an over-acting personification, acting; hypocrisy, simulation, Mt. 23:28; Mk. 12:15; Lk. 12:1; Gal. 2:13; 1 Tim. 4:2; 1 Pet. 2:1* It appears 7 times in the King James Bible.
The word hypokrisis (G5272) appears 7 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G5272 is hypokrisis, a Greek word defined as: a response, answer; an over-acting personification, acting; hypocrisy, simulation, Mt. 23:28; Mk. 12:15; Lk. 12:1; Gal. 2:13; 1 Tim. 4:2; 1 Pet. 2:1*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
hypokrisis is a Greek word found in the New Testament.