What does the Bible say about hypocrisy in the church?

Hypocrisy is a recurring theme in scripture, particularly in the New Testament, where Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for their self-righteousness and blindness to their own sin. In John 8, the story of the woman caught in adultery serves as a profound illustration. The Pharisees sought to trap Jesus while simultaneously disregarding their own moral failures. The Lord's assertion that 'he that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone' highlights both the danger of hypocrisy and the truth that all are in need of grace. Jesus exposes their duplicity, guiding believers to seek humility and self-examination instead of self-righteous judgment.