Hypocrisy isn’t all bad. Ancient Greeks used the word for acting. Those who worked in dramas wore masks because they would play several different roles in a single performance. Back then, men alone could be actors, so they’d not only represent various male characters, they’d also don masks of women when the script called for it. In the technical sense, actors were hypocrites; you could see only the masks they happened to be wearing, not their actual faces. You knew their external appearance, but not who they really were.
Within the context of the theater, the term was positive, but in the moral sphere, it adopted a negative connotation. Hypocrisy came to refer to covering up malign motives with a pleasant or respectable exterior. Hypocrites hide their true selves by pretending to feel or think other than who they are.
I was sure that the Bible would have a lot to say about this subject but found out that in general, it doesn’t. The Old Testament contains a single reference (Psalm 26:4). In the New Testament, Paul mentions hypocrisy only three times in two verses (Galatians 2:13, 1 Timothy 4:2). And Peter refers to it once (1 Peter 2:1).
But the gospels tell a different story. Jesus employs the nouns 20 times and Luke adds an additional verse (Luke 20:20). Clearly, the Lord is interested in dealing with hypocrites!
Why the disparity? What made Jesus focus on hypocrisy while the apostles let it slide or concentrated on other matters?
As Son of God and Son of Man, Jesus embodies the fullness of divine holiness and human righteousness. He shows people what God is like.
“No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.” – John 1:18
“Jesus answered: ‘Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”?’” – John 14:9
But He also reveals God’s intention for human beings. Adam and Eve fell into sin, but Jesus didn’t. He was righteous for us.
“For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.” – Hebrews 2:17
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet he did not sin.” – Hebrews 4:15
In every biblical reference, hypocrites and hypocrisy are criticized. People who feign goodness face the judgment of God. Those who judge others while doing the same mischief stand condemned.
Jesus had every right to confront hypocrites. He did so to teach them the truth about themselves and God. Unless they realize their sinful condition, men and women will see little need for a Savior. And unless they encounter the power of God’s purity, people will fail to honor the Lord as He deserves.
So is hypocrisy a big deal? Yes, because at a deep level, it contests the incarnation of Christ. If we’re not all that bad, if God isn’t too concerned about holiness, then we don’t need a Redeemer who’s fully human and fully divine. We can get by with advice, teachings, and suggestions.
But when by the conviction of the Spirit we discover how different we are from God and how we’ve failed to live up to our potential, we realize our need for Jesus. He becomes everything to us because He’s everything we need.
This is the gospel. When Jesus challenged hypocrites, Jesus laid the foundation of the gospel. If the apostles don’t refer too often to hypocrisy, it’s because they’re busy building on Christ’s foundation. They’re preaching the gospel that Jesus forgives and Jesus transforms.
Jesus is the hope of hypocrites!
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