προσποιέω (prospoieō)
prospoieō
to pretend
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb prospoieō describes the act of pretending or affecting a certain demeanor. It conveys making a show of something that may not reflect one’s true inner state. In the New Testament, it appears only twice, both in the Gospel of Luke.
Its most notable use occurs in Luke 24:28, where the disciples walking to Emmaus seem eager to continue on their journey to Jerusalem. The text says Jesus “made as if” he would go further, a subtle gesture that reveals his intention to stay with them longer. This usage highlights how the word captures a deliberate performance of intent or action.
While rare in Scripture, the term offers insight into human behavior — showing how people sometimes mask their real purposes behind outward appearances. It reminds readers that not all actions reveal genuine motives, and that discernment is often needed to understand what lies beneath.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word προσποιέω appears only twice in the New Testament, yet it carries a quiet weight about how we present ourselves to others. In Luke 24:28, Jesus uses this gentle pretense on the road to Emmaus. He makes as if he is going further, not to deceive, but to create space for his friends to open their hearts and stay with him longer. This shows that human actions can sometimes mask deeper intentions, whether for kindness or for concealment.
For your daily life, this word invites honesty. We often wear masks to protect ourselves or to manage how others see us. But God sees the heart beneath the performance. When you feel pressured to act a certain way, remember that true peace comes from being known fully by Him, without the need for pretense. He meets us in our realness, not just in our polished appearances.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- pretending1×
- appeared1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- προσποιούμενος1×
- προσεποιήσατο1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 24:28
They came near to the village where they were going, and he acted like he would go further.
Jesus uses this action to extend hospitality and encourage his disciples to stay with him longer.