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What the Bible Says About Hypocrisy

Overview

The Bible addresses hypocrisy across 246 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Matthew, Job and Luke. Closely related themes include Satire, Ecclesiasticism, Pharisees, the and Formalism. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Abraham, Jesus, Isaac and Adam.

Key Bible verses about hypocrisy

Old Testament

Job

Job 8:13

So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish:

Job 8:14

Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a spider's web. web: Heb. house

Job 8:15

He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand: he shall hold it fast, but it shall not endure.

Job 15:33

He shall shake off his unripe grape as the vine, and shall cast off his flower as the olive.

Job 15:34

For the congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate, and fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery.

Job 20:4

Knowest thou not this of old, since man was placed upon earth,

Job 20:5

That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment? short: Heb. from near

Job 20:6

Though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds; clouds: Heb. cloud

Job 20:7

Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: they which have seen him shall say, Where is he?

Job 20:8

He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found: yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night.

Job 20:9

The eye also which saw him shall see him no more; neither shall his place any more behold him.

Job 20:10

His children shall seek to please the poor, and his hands shall restore their goods. His children: or, The poor shall oppress his children

Job 20:11

His bones are full of the sin of his youth, which shall lie down with him in the dust.

Job 20:12

Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue;

Job 20:13

Though he spare it, and forsake it not; but keep it still within his mouth: within: Heb. in the midst of his palate

Job 20:14

Yet his meat in his bowels is turned, it is the gall of asps within him.

Job 20:15

He hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again: God shall cast them out of his belly.

Job 20:16

He shall suck the poison of asps: the viper's tongue shall slay him.

Job 20:17

He shall not see the rivers, the floods, the brooks of honey and butter. the floods: or, streaming brooks

Job 20:18

That which he laboured for shall he restore, and shall not swallow it down: according to his substance shall the restitution be, and he shall not rejoice therein. his: Heb. the substance of his exchange

Job 27:8

For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul?

Job 27:9

Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him?

Job 27:10

Will he delight himself in the Almighty? will he always call upon God?

Job 27:13

This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage of oppressors, which they shall receive of the Almighty.

Job 27:14

If his children be multiplied, it is for the sword: and his offspring shall not be satisfied with bread.

Job 27:15

Those that remain of him shall be buried in death: and his widows shall not weep.

Job 27:16

Though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment as the clay;

Job 27:17

He may prepare it, but the just shall put it on, and the innocent shall divide the silver.

Job 27:18

He buildeth his house as a moth, and as a booth that the keeper maketh.

Job 31:33

If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom: as Adam: or, after the manner of men

Job 31:34

Did I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrify me, that I kept silence, and went not out of the door?

Job 36:13

But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them.

Job 36:14

They die in youth, and their life is among the unclean. They: Heb. Their soul dieth unclean: or, sodomites

Psalms

Psalms 50:16

But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?

Psalms 50:17

Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee.

Psalms 55:12

For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:

Psalms 55:13

But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. mine equal: Heb. according to my rank

Psalms 55:14

We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. We: Heb. Who sweetened counsel

Psalms 55:20

He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant. broken: Heb. profaned

Psalms 55:21

The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.

Psalms 78:34

When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and enquired early after God.

Psalms 78:35

And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer.

Psalms 78:36

Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues.

Psalms 78:37

For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.

Proverbs

Proverbs 7:10

And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.

Proverbs 7:11

(She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:

Proverbs 7:12

Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)

Proverbs 7:13

So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him, with: Heb. she strengthened her face and said

Proverbs 7:14

I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows. I have: Heb. Peace offerings are upon me

Proverbs 7:15

Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.

Proverbs 7:16

I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.

Proverbs 7:17

I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

Proverbs 7:18

Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.

Proverbs 7:19

For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:

Proverbs 7:20

He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed. with: Heb. in his hand the day: or, the new moon

Proverbs 7:21

With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.

Proverbs 23:6

Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:

Proverbs 23:7

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

Proverbs 23:8

The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.

Proverbs 26:18

As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, firebrands: Heb. flames, or, sparks

Proverbs 26:19

So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

Proverbs 26:23

Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.

Proverbs 26:24

He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; dissembleth: or, is known

Proverbs 26:25

When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. speaketh: Heb. maketh his voice gracious

Proverbs 26:26

Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation. by: or, in secret

Isaiah

Isaiah 1:11

To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. he goats: Heb. great he goats

Isaiah 1:12

When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? to appear: Heb. to be seen

Isaiah 1:13

Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. iniquity: or, grief

Isaiah 1:14

Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.

Isaiah 1:15

And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. make: Heb. multiply prayer blood: Heb. bloods

Isaiah 29:15

Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?

Isaiah 29:16

Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?

Isaiah 32:5

The vile person shall be no more called liberal, nor the churl said to be bountiful.

Isaiah 32:6

For the vile person will speak villany, and his heart will work iniquity, to practise hypocrisy, and to utter error against the LORD, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail.

Isaiah 48:1

Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, which swear by the name of the LORD, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness.

Isaiah 48:2

For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel; The LORD of hosts is his name.

Isaiah 58:2

Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.

Isaiah 58:3

Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. labours: or, things wherewith ye grieve others: Heb. griefs

Isaiah 58:4

Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. ye shall: or, ye fast not as this day

Isaiah 58:5

Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD? a day: or, to afflict his soul for a day?

Isaiah 66:3

He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. lamb: or, kid burneth: Heb. maketh a memorial of

Isaiah 66:4

I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not. delusions: or, devices

Isaiah 66:5

Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.

Jeremiah

Jeremiah 3:10

And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the LORD. feignedly: Heb. in falsehood

Jeremiah 3:11

And the LORD said unto me, The backsliding Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah.

Jeremiah 7:8

Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit.

Jeremiah 7:9

Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not;

Jeremiah 7:10

And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations? which: Heb. whereupon my name is called

Jeremiah 42:20

For ye dissembled in your hearts, when ye sent me unto the LORD your God, saying, Pray for us unto the LORD our God; and according unto all that the LORD our God shall say, so declare unto us, and we will do it. ye dissembled: or, ye have used deceit against your souls

Jeremiah 42:21

And now I have this day declared it to you; but ye have not obeyed the voice of the LORD your God, nor any thing for the which he hath sent me unto you.

Jeremiah 42:22

Now therefore know certainly that ye shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, in the place whither ye desire to go and to sojourn. to go: or, to go to sojourn

Ezekiel

Ezekiel 14:7

For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to enquire of him concerning me; I the LORD will answer him by myself:

Ezekiel 14:8

And I will set my face against that man, and will make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of my people; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

Ezekiel 33:30

Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the LORD. against thee: of, of thee

Ezekiel 33:31

And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. as the: Heb. according to the coming of the people they sit: or, my people sit before thee they shew: Heb. they make loves, or, jests

Ezekiel 33:32

And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not. a very: Heb. a song of loves

Amos

Amos 5:21

I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. in: or, your holy days

Amos 5:22

Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts. peace: or, thank offerings

Amos 5:23

Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.

Amos 5:24

But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream. run: Heb. roll

Amos 5:25

Have ye offered unto me sacrifices and offerings in the wilderness forty years, O house of Israel?

Amos 5:26

But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves. the tabernacle: or, Siccuth your king

Amos 5:27

Therefore will I cause you to go into captivity beyond Damascus, saith the LORD, whose name is The God of hosts.

Malachi

Malachi 1:6

A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?

Malachi 1:7

Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible. offer: or, bring unto, etc

Malachi 1:8

And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts. for: Heb. to

Malachi 1:9

And now, I pray you, beseech God that he will be gracious unto us: this hath been by your means: will he regard your persons? saith the LORD of hosts. God: Heb. the face of God by: Heb. from your hand

Malachi 1:10

Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.

Malachi 1:11

For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.

Malachi 1:12

But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the LORD is polluted; and the fruit thereof, even his meat, is contemptible.

Malachi 1:13

Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD. and ye have: or, whereas ye might have blown it away

Malachi 1:14

But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen. which: Heb. in whose flock is

New Testament

Matthew

Matthew 3:7

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

Matthew 3:8

Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: meet: or, answerable to amendment of life

Matthew 6:1

Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. alms: or, righteousness of your: or, with your

Matthew 6:2

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. do not: or, cause not a trumpet to be sounded

Matthew 7:21

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 7:22

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

Matthew 15:7

Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

Matthew 15:8

This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

Matthew 15:9

But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Matthew 21:28

But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.

Matthew 21:29

He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.

Matthew 21:30

And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.

Matthew 21:31

Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.

Matthew 21:32

For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.

Matthew 22:12

And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.

Matthew 22:13

Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 23:2

Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:

Matthew 23:3

All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

Matthew 23:4

For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

Matthew 23:5

But all their works they do for to be seen of men they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, phylacteries: pieces of parchment containing sentences of the law

Matthew 23:6

And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,

Matthew 23:7

And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.

Matthew 23:8

But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.

Matthew 23:9

And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

Matthew 23:10

Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.

Matthew 23:11

But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

Matthew 23:12

And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Matthew 23:13

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.

Matthew 23:14

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.

Matthew 23:15

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.

Matthew 23:16

Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!

Matthew 23:17

Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?

Matthew 23:18

And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. guilty: or, debtor, or, bound

Matthew 23:19

Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?

Matthew 23:20

Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.

Matthew 23:21

And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.

Matthew 23:22

And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.

Matthew 23:23

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. anise: Gr. dill

Matthew 23:24

Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

Matthew 23:25

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.

Matthew 23:26

Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

Matthew 23:27

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.

Matthew 23:28

Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

Matthew 23:29

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,

Matthew 23:30

And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.

Matthew 23:31

Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.

Matthew 23:32

Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.

Matthew 23:33

Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

Matthew 24:50

The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,

Matthew 24:51

And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. cut: or, cut him off

Matthew 25:41

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

Matthew 25:42

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

Matthew 25:43

I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

Matthew 25:44

Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

Matthew 25:45

Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

Luke

Luke 11:39

And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.

Luke 11:40

Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?

Luke 11:41

But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you. of: or, as you are able

Luke 11:42

But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Luke 11:43

Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.

Luke 11:44

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.

Luke 11:45

Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also.

Luke 11:46

And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.

Luke 11:47

Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.

Luke 11:48

Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres.

Luke 11:49

Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:

Luke 11:50

That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;

Luke 11:51

From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.

Luke 11:52

Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered. hindered: or, forbad

Luke 12:1

In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

Luke 12:2

For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.

Luke 12:54

And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is.

Luke 12:55

And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say There will be heat; and it cometh to pass.

Luke 12:56

Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?

Luke 13:13

And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

Luke 13:14

And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.

Luke 13:15

The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?

Luke 13:16

And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?

Luke 13:17

And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.

Luke 13:26

Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.

Luke 13:27

But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.

Luke 14:34

Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?

Luke 14:35

It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Luke 18:11

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

Luke 18:12

I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

Luke 20:46

Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;

Luke 20:47

Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.

Romans

Romans 2:17

Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,

Romans 2:18

And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; approvest: or, triest the things that differ

Romans 2:19

And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,

Romans 2:20

An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.

Romans 2:21

Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?

Romans 2:22

Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?

Romans 2:23

Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?

Romans 2:24

For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.

Romans 2:25

For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.

Romans 2:26

Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?

Romans 2:27

And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?

Romans 2:28

For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:

Romans 2:29

But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

Romans 9:6

Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:

Romans 9:7

Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.

James

James 1:22

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

James 1:23

For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

James 1:24

For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

James 2:14

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

James 2:15

If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

James 2:16

And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

James 2:17

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. alone: Gr. by itself

James 2:18

Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. without: some copies read, by

James 2:19

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

James 2:20

But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

James 2:21

Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

James 2:22

Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? Seest: or, Thou seest

James 2:23

And the scripture was fulfilled which saith Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

James 2:24

Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

James 2:25

Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

James 2:26

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. spirit: or, breath

People in the Bible and hypocrisy

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

Studying hypocrisy for yourself

  • Begin with Job 8:13, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how Matthew, Job and Luke each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of Abraham, Jesus and Isaac and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Satire, Ecclesiasticism, Pharisees, the and Formalism.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about hypocrisy?

The Bible addresses hypocrisy across 246 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Matthew, Job and Luke. Closely related themes include Satire, Ecclesiasticism, Pharisees, the and Formalism. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Abraham, Jesus, Isaac and Adam.

How many Bible verses are about hypocrisy?

The Bible references hypocrisy in 246 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention hypocrisy?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is Job 8:13: “So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish:”

Which people in the Bible are associated with hypocrisy?

Abraham, Jesus, Isaac, Adam and Moses.

Preach & teach

Outline a sermon or build a study series on hypocrisy.

Preach a series on Hypocrisy