ψευδομαρτυρία

false testimony

Definition

ψευδομαρτυρία (pseudomartyria) specifically means 'false testimony' or 'false witness'—the act of giving untrue evidence, especially in a legal or formal setting. In the New Testament, it consistently refers to bearing false witness against someone, a serious moral and legal offense. This concept is directly tied to the Ninth Commandment (Exodus 20:16), which prohibits false testimony against a neighbor. In Matthew 15:19, Jesus lists it among the evils that proceed from the heart and defile a person, while in Matthew 26:59, it describes the false accusations sought by the chief priests and council to condemn Jesus.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only twice in the New Testament, both times in the Gospel of Matthew. It appears in ethical teaching (Matthew 15:19) as part of a vice list originating from the human heart, and in a narrative of Jesus's trial (Matthew 26:59) where the religious leaders seek false testimony to put him to death. This dual usage shows the word's application to both general moral corruption and specific, malicious legal accusation.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek adjective ψευδής (pseudēs, G5571), meaning 'false' or 'lying,' and the noun μαρτυρία (martyria, G3141), meaning 'testimony' or 'witness.' Thus, it literally means 'false-witnessing.' The root concept of μαρτυρία is central, as it involves a formal declaration, making the falsity a particularly grievous breach of truth and justice.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it connects directly to the Decalogue, highlighting the importance of truthfulness in human relationships and before God. Jesus's inclusion of it among heart-sourced evils (Matthew 15:19) underscores that bearing false witness is not merely an external legal crime but a symptom of internal sinfulness. Its use in his trial (Matthew 26:59) reveals the profound injustice of the crucifixion, as the Messiah, who is Truth itself (John 14:6), is condemned by falsehood. Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by emphasizing the gravity of truth-telling in biblical ethics and the contrast between human deceit and divine truth.

In the first-century Jewish and Greco-Roman world, giving testimony in legal proceedings was a solemn act with serious consequences. False testimony could lead to wrongful punishment or death, as seen in Jesus's trial. Culturally, it was viewed as a severe social and religious transgression, violating both communal trust and divine law (the Ninth Commandment). The modern understanding of 'lying' may be more generalized, but ψευδομαρτυρία specifically connotes a formal, damaging falsehood with legal or public ramifications.

ψεῦδος (pseudos, G5579) — a more general term for 'a lie' or 'falsehood,' not necessarily in a legal context. διάβολος (diabolos, G1228) — meaning 'slanderer' or 'accuser,' focusing on the malicious intent behind false speech.

Word Details

Scripture References