ὑποκριτής (hupokritēs)
hupokritēs
hypocrite
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 20 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word hupokritēs literally means an actor or stage player, someone who performs a part rather than revealing their true self. In ancient theater, the performer wore a mask to portray a character distinct from their own identity. This theatrical image provides the foundation for its metaphorical use in Scripture, where it describes a person who pretends to be something they are not.
In the New Testament, Jesus uses this term sharply to describe religious leaders who maintain an outward appearance of piety while hiding inner corruption. He applies it to those who give alms, pray, or fast merely to be seen by others (Matthew 6:2, 5, 16). The word appears in contexts where external ritual masks a lack of genuine heart devotion, as when Jesus challenges the Pharisees for neglecting justice and mercy while meticulously cleaning the outside of their cups (Matthew 23).
Translators consistently render hupokritēs as "hypocrite," preserving the sense of dissembling. The term carries a heavy theological weight because it condemns the gap between public reputation and private reality. It serves as a warning against performing faith for human approval rather than offering authentic worship to God.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word hupokritēs comes from the ancient theater, where it described an actor wearing a mask to play a role. In Scripture, Jesus uses this image to warn against hiding our true selves behind a performance of piety. It is easy to go through the motions of faith—praying in public, giving generously, or following rituals—while keeping our hearts distant from God. This word calls us to honesty before Him.
When we feel the weight of our own inconsistencies, this term can feel harsh, but it is also a gift. It strips away the need to impress others and invites us into genuine relationship with God. He sees past the mask. Instead of striving for a perfect public image, we are invited to bring our real struggles, doubts, and joys to Him. Authentic faith is not about hiding our flaws but about letting God transform them.
This invitation extends to how we treat others. Jesus reminds us that we all have beams in our own eyes before we can help others with their specks. Recognizing our own need for grace creates space for humility and compassion. We do not need to be perfect performers; we only need to be honest children who trust in God’s mercy.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 20 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- hypocrites!6×
- hypocrites6×
- Hypocrites!3×
- hypocrites,2×
- hypocrites?1×
- Hypocrite,1×
- Hypocrite!1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὑποκριταί,11×
- ὑποκριτά,2×
- ὑποκριταὶ2×
- Ὑποκριταί,1×
- ὑποκριτῶν,1×
- ὑποκριτῶν1×
- ὑποκριταί;1×
- ὑποκριταί1×
Key Verses
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Matthew 6:2
Therefore, when you do merciful deeds, don’t sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may get glory from men. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward.
This verse highlights the specific danger of performing acts of mercy solely for human applause, which results in receiving no spiritual reward from God.
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Matthew 7:5
You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye.
Here Jesus uses the term to illustrate the absurdity of judging others while ignoring one's own serious faults, emphasizing self-examination first.
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Matthew 23:27
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitened tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but inwardly are full of dead men’s bones and of all uncleanness.
The metaphor of whitened tombs shows how outward beauty can completely mask inner decay, warning against valuing appearance over moral purity.
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Luke 11:44
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like hidden graves, and the men who walk over them don’t know it.”
This comparison to hidden graves suggests that hypocrisy is not just visible failure but a deceptive presence that contaminates without obvious warning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the original meaning of hupokritēs?
Is being called a hypocrite always an insult in the Bible?
How does this word relate to modern Christian life?
Every Occurrence (20 verses across 3 books)
Matthew 15 verses
Therefore, when you do merciful deeds, don’t sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues…
Matthew 6:5“When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the…
Matthew 6:16“Moreover when you fast, don’t be like the hypocrites, with sad faces. For they disfigure their faces that they may be…
Matthew 7:5You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your…
Matthew 15:7You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying,
Matthew 16:3In the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to…
Matthew 22:18But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test me, you hypocrites?
Matthew 23:13“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and as a pretense you make long prayers.…
Matthew 23:14“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men; for you…
Matthew 23:15Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel around by sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he…
Matthew 23:23“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cumin, and have left undone the weightier…
Matthew 23:25“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within…
Matthew 23:27“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitened tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but…
Matthew 23:29“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the tombs of the…
Matthew 24:51and will cut him in pieces and appoint his portion with the hypocrites. That is where the weeping and grinding of teeth…