"the giver of an answer or response; a stageplayer, actor; in NT a moral or religious counterfeit, a hypocrite, Mt. 6:2, 5, 16; 7:5"
Definition and meaning
the giver of an answer or response; a stageplayer, actor; in NT a moral or religious counterfeit, a hypocrite, Mt. 6:2, 5, 16; 7:5
In the original Greek the word is written: ὑποκριτής
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 hypokrites (G5273) across the King James Bible.
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 have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Moreover 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. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,
And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
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Common questions
Strong's G5273 (hypokrites) is a Greek word that means: the giver of an answer or response; a stageplayer, actor; in NT a moral or religious counterfeit, a hypocrite, Mt. 6:2, 5, 16; 7:5 It appears 20 times in the King James Bible.
The word hypokrites (G5273) appears 20 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G5273 is hypokrites, a Greek word defined as: the giver of an answer or response; a stageplayer, actor; in NT a moral or religious counterfeit, a hypocrite, Mt. 6:2, 5, 16; 7:5. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
hypokrites is a Greek word found in the New Testament.