"to bear false witness, give false testimony, Mt. 19:18; Mk. 10:19; 14:56, 57; Lk. 18:20*"
Definition and meaning
to bear false witness, give false testimony, Mt. 19:18; Mk. 10:19; 14:56, 57; Lk. 18:20*
In the original Greek the word is written: ψευδομαρτυρέω
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 pseudomartyreo (G5576) across the King James Bible.
He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.
And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying,
Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.
For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
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Common questions
Strong's G5576 (pseudomartyreo) is a Greek word that means: to bear false witness, give false testimony, Mt. 19:18; Mk. 10:19; 14:56, 57; Lk. 18:20* It appears 6 times in the King James Bible.
The word pseudomartyreo (G5576) appears 6 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G5576 is pseudomartyreo, a Greek word defined as: to bear false witness, give false testimony, Mt. 19:18; Mk. 10:19; 14:56, 57; Lk. 18:20*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
pseudomartyreo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.