"a false prophet, one who falsely claims to speak by divine inspiration, whether as a foreteller of future events, or as a teacher of doctrines, Mt. 7:15; 24:24; Mk. 13:22; Acts 13:6; 1 Jn. 4:1; Rev. 16:13"
Definition and meaning
a false prophet, one who falsely claims to speak by divine inspiration, whether as a foreteller of future events, or as a teacher of doctrines, Mt. 7:15; 24:24; Mk. 13:22; Acts 13:6; 1 Jn. 4:1; Rev. 16:13
In the original Greek the word is written: ψευδοπροφήτης
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 pseudoprophetes (G5578) across the King James Bible.
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
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Common questions
Strong's G5578 (pseudoprophetes) is a Greek word that means: a false prophet, one who falsely claims to speak by divine inspiration, whether as a foreteller of future events, or as a teacher of doctrines, Mt. 7:15; 24:24; Mk. 13:22; Acts 13:6; 1 Jn. 4:1; Rev. 1... It appears 11 times in the King James Bible.
The word pseudoprophetes (G5578) appears 11 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G5578 is pseudoprophetes, a Greek word defined as: a false prophet, one who falsely claims to speak by divine inspiration, whether as a foreteller of future events, or as a teacher of doctrines, Mt. 7:. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
pseudoprophetes is a Greek word found in the New Testament.