Word Study for G5576 (ψευδομαρτυρέω)

pseudomartyréō /psyoo-dom-ar-too-reh'-o/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom ψευδομάρτυρ

Meaningto be an untrue testifier, i.e. offer falsehood in evidence

KJV usagebe a false witness.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of pseudomartyréō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word pseudomartyréō, represented by G5576, means to be an untrue testifier. It is derived from ψευδομάρτυρ and signifies offering falsehood in evidence or to be a false witness. This term appears 10 times across 6 unique verses in the Bible, highlighting its specific role in describing deceitful testimony.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G5576 is primarily used in two key contexts. It appears as a direct prohibition within lists of commandments, such as "Thou shalt not bear false witness" (Matthew 19:18, Mark 10:19, Luke 18:20, Romans 13:9). This establishes it as a core ethical command. The term is also used to describe a specific event, where many bare false witness against Jesus G2424 during his trial, although their testimony did not agree (Mark 14:56, Mark 14:57).

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the context in which G5576 is found, often as part of a list of prohibitions.

G1785 entolḗ (commandment): This word sets the framework for the prohibition against false witness, identifying it as an authoritative prescription (Mark 10:19, Luke 18:20).
G3431 moicheúō (commit adultery): This verb is frequently listed alongside the command not to bear false witness, linking it to other serious moral transgressions (Matthew 19:18, Romans 13:9).
G5407 phoneúō (kill): The prohibition against murder is consistently paired with the command against false testimony, underscoring its gravity (Luke 18:20, Romans 13:9).
G2813 kléptō (steal): To filch or steal is another command often found in the same list, placing false witness within the context of foundational social ethics (Mark 10:19, Matthew 19:18).

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G5576 is significant, highlighting key principles of divine law and human sin.

Violation of Divine Command: To bear false witness is explicitly forbidden in lists of core commandments recited by both Jesus G2424 and Paul, placing it alongside prohibitions against murder, adultery, and theft (Matthew 19:18, Romans 13:9).
Injustice Against Christ: The concept is demonstrated in its most severe form during the trial of Jesus, where those who bare false witness G5576 against him were a key part of the effort to condemn him, even though their witness G3141 was contradictory Mark 14:56-57.
Contradiction of Love: The command not to bear false witness G5576 is summarized in Romans 13:9 under the single saying G3056, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself," establishing falsehood as a direct violation of the law of love.

Summary

In summary, G5576 defines the act of being an untrue testifier. It is consistently presented as a foundational moral prohibition within the commandments. Its ultimate significance is shown not only in these legal listings but also in its active use as a weapon against Jesus G2424 by those who sought to condemn him with falsehoods Mark 14:56. Ultimately, to bear false witness G5576 is presented as a failure of the command to love G25 one's neighbour G4139, making it a critical marker of sin and injustice.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 6 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Aorist Active Subjunctive 2nd Singular 2×
Future Active Indicative 2nd Singular 2×
Imperfect Active Indicative 3rd Plural 2×

Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
2nd: Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect: Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Future: Action yet to take place.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Subjunctive: Possibility or purpose — "might", "should".

Related Words

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 6 verses across 4 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Mark (3 verses); never once in the other 23.

Matthew

Mark

Luke

Romans

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.