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ὑπόκρισις

hypókrisis

G5272 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Pretending, giving a false impression, or acting a part; the act of concealing one's genuine motives, intentions, or identity under a pretense. Primarily denotes outward performance meant to mask true feelings or intentions, especially in public, social, or religious contexts. Also includes the sense of simulation, dissembling, or adopting a persona for effect.

Semantic Range

acting, performing in a play, pretending, feigning, simulation, pretense, dissembling, hypocrisy

Root / Etymology

Derived from ὑποκρίνομαι ('to answer, interpret, play a part'), which in turn is from the prefix ὑπό- ('under') and κρίνω ('to judge, to separate'). Originally referred to answering or reciting on stage, then moved to the sense of 'acting' or 'role-playing,' and finally to the abstract sense of pretending or feigning.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical Greek, ὑπόκρισις primarily indicated 'acting' as in the dramatic arts, a public performance or stage role. In Hellenistic and Koine contexts—including the Septuagint and especially the New Testament—the meaning shifted to 'pretense' or 'duplicity,' focusing on the discrepancy between outward appearance and inner reality, especially in moral or religious spheres. New Testament usage (e.g., Mark 12:15, Galatians 2:13) typically conveys a negative judgment about insincerity or duplicity, often associated with feigned piety or righteousness. English translations commonly render the word as 'hypocrisy,' though this covers primarily its later, negative, moral sense and overlooks its earlier, theatrical association of role-playing. The transition from neutral 'acting' to negative moral judgment parallels developments in the broader use of the term in Hellenistic rhetoric and ethics.

Translation Consistency

primary "hypocrisy" 4 occurrences

ὑπόκρισις most commonly and naturally translates as 'hypocrisy' in English. It captures the primary sense of public pretense, dissembling, and playing a part to conceal true motives, and it is the standard, idiomatic rendering in most English Bibles.

Alternatives (2 occurrences):
"pretense" (1x) "hypocrisies" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ὑποκρίνομαι; acting under a feigned part, i.e. (figuratively) deceit ("hypocrisy"):--condemnation, dissimulation, hypocrisy.

Root Family

ὑπόκρισις (hypokrisis) — acting, pretending, feigning, dissembling, role-playing

Root ὑποκρι- to answer, to interpret, to play a part, to pretend

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G5272-01 ὑποκρίσει upokrisei N DAT F SG hypocrisy by pretense by hypocrisy 2
G5272-02 ὑποκρίσεις upokriseis N ACC F PL hypocrisies feigned performances hypocrisies 1
G5272-05 ὑπόκρισις upokrisis N NOM F SG hypocrisy feigned role-playing hypocrisy 1
G5272-03 ὑποκρίσεως upokriseos N GEN F SG of hypocrisy of pretense of pretense 1
G5272-04 ὑπόκρισιν upokrisin N ACC F SG hypocrisy feigned performance hypocrisy 1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G5272-03 Matthew 23:28 ὑποκρίσεως upokriseos N GEN F SG of hypocrisy of pretense of pretense
G5272-04 Mark 12:15 ὑπόκρισιν upokrisin N ACC F SG hypocrisy feigned performance hypocrisy
G5272-05 Luke 12:1 ὑπόκρισις upokrisis N NOM F SG hypocrisy feigned role-playing hypocrisy
G5272-01 Galatians 2:13 ὑποκρίσει upokrisei N DAT F SG hypocrisy by pretense by hypocrisy
G5272-01 1 Timothy 4:2 ὑποκρίσει upokrisei N DAT F SG hypocrisy by pretense by hypocrisy
G5272-02 1 Peter 2:1 ὑποκρίσεις upokriseis N ACC F PL hypocrisies feigned performances hypocrisies
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