The way I read his statement was as a joke. He wasn't a dumb guy. Surely he would have had the thought that if God is all-knowing, you obviously can't "fool"

The way I read his statement was as a joke. He wasn't a dumb guy. Surely he would have had the thought that if God is all-knowing, you obviously can't "fool" God by simply mouthing the right words right before you die.