The concept of "pretended" in the Bible often relates to actions or attitudes that are insincere or deceitful, where individuals present themselves in a manner that is not genuine. This theme is addressed in various contexts throughout Scripture, highlighting the moral and spiritual dangers of hypocrisy and deceit.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the idea of pretending is often associated with falsehood and deceit. For example, in 1 Samuel 21:13, David pretends to be insane before Achish, the king of Gath, to protect himself from harm. While this act of pretense serves a strategic purpose for David, it underscores the broader biblical theme of the complexities and moral challenges associated with deceit.

The prophets frequently condemned the Israelites for their pretended worship and insincere devotion to God. Isaiah 29:13 states, "Therefore the Lord said: 'These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.'" This verse highlights the disconnect between outward religious expressions and the true condition of the heart, a form of pretense that God finds detestable.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, Jesus frequently addresses the issue of pretense, particularly in His interactions with the Pharisees and religious leaders. In Matthew 23:27-28 , Jesus declares, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness." Here, Jesus condemns the pretense of righteousness that lacks genuine inner transformation.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the issue of pretense in his epistles. In Philippians 1:15-18 , Paul acknowledges that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. He writes, "The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed. And in this I rejoice." Paul recognizes that even when the motives are pretended, the proclamation of Christ can still advance the gospel.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

The Bible consistently warns against the dangers of pretense, emphasizing the importance of sincerity and authenticity in one's relationship with God and others. Pretended actions and attitudes are often linked to hypocrisy, which is condemned throughout Scripture. Believers are called to live lives of integrity, where their outward actions align with their inner convictions and faith.

The biblical narrative encourages believers to examine their hearts and motives, ensuring that their worship, service, and interactions with others are genuine and not merely for show. The call to authenticity is a reminder that God desires truth in the innermost being (Psalm 51:6) and that He sees beyond outward appearances to the true intentions of the heart.1. (imp. & p. p.) of Pretend.

2. (a.) Making a false appearance; unreal; false; as, pretended friend.

5570. pseudapostolos -- a false apostle
... Masculine Transliteration: pseudapostolos Phonetic Spelling: (psyoo-dap-os'-tol-
os) Short Definition: a false apostle Definition: a false or pretended apostle. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5570.htm - 6k

5271. hupokrinomai -- to answer, reply, to answer on a stage, to ...
... Word Origin from hupo and krino Definition to answer, reply, to answer on
a stage, to pretend NASB Word Usage pretended (1). feign. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5271.htm - 6k

5580. pseudochristos -- a false Christ or Messiah
... Transliteration: pseudochristos Phonetic Spelling: (psyoo-dokh'-ris-tos) Short
Definition: a false Christ Definition: a false Christ, pretended Messiah. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5580.htm - 6k

5578. pseudoprophetes -- a false prophet
... false prophet. From pseudes and prophetes; a spurious prophet, ie Pretended foreteller
or religious impostor -- false prophet. see GREEK pseudes. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5578.htm - 8k

5569. pseudadelphos -- a false brother
... false brethren. From pseudes and adephos; a spurious brother, ie Pretended associate
-- false brethren. see GREEK pseudes. see GREEK adephos. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5569.htm - 6k

2470a. chalah -- to be weak or sick
... incurable (2), infected (1), lovesick* (2), made himself ill (1), made weak (1),
make you sick (1), makes the sick (1), pretend to be ill (1), pretended to be ...
/hebrew/2470a.htm - 6k

5060. naga -- to touch, reach, strike
... cast (1), casts (1), close (2), come (2), draw near (1), drawn near (1), drew near
(1), follows (1), happened (1), happens (2), plagued (1), pretended to be ...
/hebrew/5060.htm - 6k

The Pretended Relaxation.
... Book IX. Chapter I."The Pretended Relaxation. 1. The imperial edict of
recantation, which has been quoted above, [2710] was posted ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter i the pretended relaxation.htm

Pretended Symbolical Explanations.
... Chapter XXII."Pretended Symbolical Explanations. But perhaps these things
are poetic vagary, and there is some natural explanation ...
/.../a plea for the christians/chapter xxii pretended symbolical explanations.htm

Uselessness of Pretended Miracles.
... Book III. Chapter LX."Uselessness of Pretended Miracles. "For tell me, I
pray you, what is the use of showing statues walking, dogs ...
/.../recognitions of clement /chapter lx uselessness of pretended miracles.htm

The Pelagians Falsely Pretended that the Eastern Churches were on ...
... A work on the proceedings of pelagius, Chapter 25."The Pelagians Falsely
Pretended that the Eastern Churches Were on Their Side. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 25 the pelagians falsely pretended.htm

If any Woman from Pretended Asceticism Shall Cut Off Her Hair...
... Canon XVII. If any woman from pretended asceticism shall cut off her hair?
If any woman from pretended asceticism shall cut off ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xvii if any woman.htm

The True Doctrine of God the Creator the Heretics Pretended to a ...
... Chapter II."The True Doctrine of God the Creator The Heretics Pretended to a Knowledge
of the Divine Being, Opposed to and Subversive of Revelation. ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter ii the true doctrine of.htm

Chapter vi.
... It is also proved that the same persons, in consequence of their persuasion, or
pretended persuasion, of the truth of what they asserted, entered upon a course ...
//christianbookshelf.org/paley/evidences of christianity/chapter vi.htm

But Now, Since My Pleading Has Steered Its Course Out of These ...
... I ask him to name a single person whose reputation I have disparaged, or whom,
according to an art practised by my opponent, I have galled by pretended praise. ...
/.../30 but now since my.htm

Apostles To-Day?
... has also wrought signs that greatly deserve to be noticed; third, that the Roman
Catholic Church sometimes offers signs that are not pretended nor artificial ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxii apostles to-day.htm

Hebrews x. 26, 27
... And their Opinion is pretended to be founded upon some Texts of the New Testament,
which seem to speak of the Irremissibleness of some Sins, which perhaps they ...
/.../sermon viii hebrews x 26.htm

Pretended (9 Occurrences)
... 1. (imp. & pp) of Pretend. 2. (a.) Making a false appearance; unreal; false; as,
pretended friend. Multi-Version Concordance Pretended (9 Occurrences). ...
/p/pretended.htm - 9k

Feigned (8 Occurrences)
... 1. (imp. & pp) of Feign. 2. (a.) Not real or genuine; pretended; counterfeit; insincere;
false. Multi-Version Concordance Feigned (8 Occurrences). ...
/f/feigned.htm - 9k

Persians (6 Occurrences)
... BC). During his absence, a Magian, Gaumata, who pretended to be Smerdis
(Bardiya), Cambyses' murdered brother, seized the throne. ...
/p/persians.htm - 20k

Pretend (9 Occurrences)

/p/pretend.htm - 10k

Verse (5 Occurrences)
... Psalms 34:1 By David; when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove
him away, and he departed.Psalm 34 is an acrostic poem, with each verse ...
/v/verse.htm - 8k

Unsettled (5 Occurrences)
... 2 Thessalonians 2:2 not readily to become unsettled in mind or troubled--either
by any pretended spiritual revelation or by any message or letter claiming to ...
/u/unsettled.htm - 7k

Jurisdiction (4 Occurrences)
... Luke 20:20 They watched him, and sent out spies, who pretended to be righteous,
that they might trap him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the ...
/j/jurisdiction.htm - 9k

Lifetime (28 Occurrences)
... Matthew 27:63 "Sir," they said, "we recollect that during his lifetime that impostor
pretended that after two days he was to rise to life again. (WEY). ...
/l/lifetime.htm - 14k

Watched (50 Occurrences)
... Luke 20:20 They watched him, and sent out spies, who pretended to be righteous,
that they might trap him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the ...
/w/watched.htm - 21k

Insane (10 Occurrences)
... Psalms 34:1 By David; when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove
him away, and he departed.Psalm 34 is an acrostic poem, with each verse ...
/i/insane.htm - 9k

Is it possible for a believer to unbelieve? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about magic, magicians, illusionists? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the seven sons of Sceva? | GotQuestions.org

Pretended: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus