In the context of the Bible, "jeered" refers to mocking, ridiculing, or taunting someone, often in a scornful or contemptuous manner. This behavior is depicted in various narratives throughout the Scriptures, highlighting the sinful nature of mockery and the suffering it can cause to the righteous.

Old Testament Instances

One of the most notable instances of jeering in the Old Testament is found in the account of Elisha. After Elijah was taken up to heaven, Elisha became his prophetic successor. As Elisha traveled to Bethel, a group of youths came out and jeered at him, saying, "Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!" (2 Kings 2:23). This incident underscores the disrespect and irreverence shown towards God's prophets, which was met with divine judgment as two bears came out of the forest and mauled forty-two of the youths (2 Kings 2:24).

The Psalms also reflect the experience of being jeered, often in the context of the righteous suffering at the hands of the wicked. Psalm 22, a messianic psalm, vividly describes the suffering of the psalmist, who is scorned and despised by the people. "All who see me mock me; they sneer and shake their heads" (Psalm 22:7). This psalm prophetically points to the suffering of Christ, who endured similar mockery during His crucifixion.

New Testament Instances

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ Himself was subjected to jeering, particularly during His passion. The Gospels recount how the Roman soldiers mocked Him, placing a crown of thorns on His head and a purple robe on His shoulders, hailing Him in derision as "King of the Jews" (John 19:2-3). As He hung on the cross, passersby, chief priests, and scribes also jeered at Him, challenging Him to save Himself if He truly was the Son of God (Matthew 27:39-43).

The Apostle Paul, in his letters, also alludes to the experience of being mocked for the sake of the Gospel. In 1 Corinthians 4:10, he writes, "We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored" . This reflects the early Christians' experience of being ridiculed for their faith, yet remaining steadfast in their commitment to Christ.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, jeering is seen as an expression of human sinfulness and rebellion against God. It often targets those who are righteous or who represent God's truth, as seen in the experiences of the prophets, Jesus, and the apostles. The Bible consistently portrays mockery as a behavior that is contrary to the character of God, who calls His people to love, respect, and honor one another.

Moreover, the endurance of jeering by the righteous is often depicted as a test of faith and character. It serves as a reminder of the suffering that comes with standing for God's truth in a fallen world. Believers are encouraged to respond to mockery with patience and love, following the example of Christ, who "when He was reviled, did not revile in return" (1 Peter 2:23).

In summary, the concept of jeering in the Bible highlights the tension between the righteous and the wicked, the suffering of God's people, and the call to respond to mockery with Christ-like humility and perseverance.(imp. & p. p.) of Jeer.

The Penitent Thief
... Let us look at Christ hanging on the cross between the two thieves. The Scribes
and Pharisees wagged their heads, and jeered at Him. His disciples had fled. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/men of the bible/vii the penitent thief.htm

Encouragement for the Depressed
... strength, to carry out the enterprise. It was the day of small things. Friends
trembled; foes jeered. But the prophet rebuked them both ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/encouragement for the depressed.htm

Appendix. Detached Account of Longinus.
... impetuous in all that he did, and anxious to be thought a person of great importance,
and as he squinted and had weak eyes, he was often jeered at and made the ...
/.../appendix detached account of longinus.htm

John Chapter xix. 1-16.
... hate your king, spare him now when you see him sunk so low; he has been scourged,
crowned with thorns, clothed with the garments of derision, jeered at with ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate cxvi john chapter xix.htm

"Assuredly," Continues Postumianus, "I Shall Take Care in Future ...
... for we were seven days with him"or some of the subsequent feasts; but these things
had better be passed over, lest the Gaul should think that he was jeered at ...
/.../chapter v assuredly continues postumianus.htm

The Martyrs in Alexandria.
... them were pale and trembled as if they were not about to sacrifice, but to be
themselves sacrifices and offerings to the idols; so that they were jeered at by ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xli the martyrs in alexandria.htm

Excursus on the Word Theotokos .
... been some who have tried to reduce all the great theological controversies on the
Trinity and on the Incarnation to mere logomachies, and have jeered at those ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/excursus on the word theotokos.htm

The Shame and Spitting
... scorned. Cruelty smote His back and plucked off the hair from His face,
while derision jeered at Him and cast its spittle upon Him. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 25 1879/the shame and spitting.htm

Epistle iii. --To Fabius, Bishop of Antioch.
... pale and trembling, as if they were not to offer sacrifice, but to be themselves
the sacrifices and victims for the idols, so that they were jeered by the ...
/.../dionysius/the works of dionysius/epistle iii to fabius bishop of.htm

The Folly and Danger of Parting with Christ for the Pleasures and ...
... Doubtless they were pointed at, jeered, scoffed, and esteemed madmen, enthusiasts,
and a parcel of rabble; but still they followed the Lord Jesus Christ, they ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the folly and danger of 2.htm

Jeered (2 Occurrences)
... (imp. & pp) of Jeer. Multi-Version Concordance Jeered (2 Occurrences). Luke
8:53 And they jeered at Him, knowing that she was dead. (WEY). ...
/j/jeered.htm - 7k

Jeering (2 Occurrences)

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Jeer (2 Occurrences)

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Why did Jesus say “Father, forgive them” on the cross? | GotQuestions.org

Why did the Prophet Elisha curse the “youths” for making fun of his baldness (2 Kings 2:23-24)? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Elisha in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Jeered: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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