Mockery, in the biblical context, refers to the act of ridiculing, deriding, or making fun of someone or something, often with the intent to belittle or scorn. It is a behavior that is frequently condemned in Scripture, as it reflects a heart that is not aligned with the virtues of humility, love, and respect that are central to Christian teaching.

Old Testament Instances

Mockery is evident throughout the Old Testament, often directed towards God's prophets and His chosen people. In 2 Kings 2:23-24, we see an instance where the prophet Elisha is mocked by a group of youths: "From there, Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some boys came out of the town and jeered at him, saying, 'Go on up, you baldhead! Go on up, you baldhead!' He turned around, looked at them, and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys." This passage illustrates the seriousness with which God views mockery, especially when directed at His servants.

The Psalms also address the theme of mockery, often in the context of the righteous being scorned by the wicked. Psalm 1:1 states, "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers." Here, mockery is associated with a lifestyle that is contrary to the ways of God, and the psalmist warns against associating with those who engage in such behavior.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, mockery is most poignantly seen in the events surrounding the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The Gospels record how Jesus was mocked by soldiers, religious leaders, and even those crucified alongside Him. Matthew 27:29-31 describes how the soldiers mocked Jesus: "And they twisted together a crown of thorns, set it on His head, and put a staff in His right hand. They knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, 'Hail, King of the Jews!' Then they spit on Him and took the staff and struck Him on the head repeatedly. After they had mocked Him, they removed the robe and put His own clothes back on Him. Then they led Him away to crucify Him."

The Apostle Paul also addresses the issue of mockery in his epistles. In Galatians 6:7, he warns, "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return." This verse underscores the principle that mockery, especially towards God, is not without consequence.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

Mockery is often rooted in pride and a lack of empathy, and it can be a tool used by the enemy to sow discord and division. Proverbs 21:24 describes the mocker as "Proud, Arrogant, and Mocker are his names, one who acts with excessive pride." This highlights the connection between mockery and a heart that is not submitted to God.

Christians are called to a higher standard of conduct, one that reflects the love and humility of Christ. Ephesians 4:29 advises, "Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen." This instruction serves as a reminder to avoid mockery and instead use words to edify and encourage others.

Conclusion

While mockery is a behavior that is prevalent in human interactions, Scripture consistently portrays it as contrary to the character of God and the teachings of Christ. Believers are encouraged to guard their hearts and tongues, choosing instead to speak words that reflect the love and grace of the Gospel.1. (n.) Ridicule, deriding, exposure to contempt, by mimicry or insincere imitation, or by a false show of earnestness; a counterfeit appearance.

2. (n.) Insulting or contemptuous action or speech; contemptuous merriment; derision; ridicule.

3. (n.) Subject of laughter, derision, or sport.

1701. empaigmos -- mockery
... mockery. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: empaigmos Phonetic Spelling:
(emp-aheeg-mos') Short Definition: mockery Definition: mockery, scoffing ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1701.htm - 6k

1701a. empaigmone -- mockery
... empaigmone. 1701b . mockery. Transliteration: empaigmone Short Definition: mocking.
Word Origin from empaizo Definition mockery NASB Word Usage mocking (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1701a.htm - 5k

420. anexikakos -- enduring evil
... injury. [420 () shows "the quality of patiently affirming a belief in face
of mockery (Wis 2:19)" (Nigel Turner, , 321).]. Word Origin ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/420.htm - 7k

8595. tatuim -- mockery
... mockery. Transliteration: tatuim Phonetic Spelling: (tah-too'-ah) Short Definition:
mockery. Word Origin from taa Definition mockery NASB Word Usage mockery (2) ...
/hebrew/8595.htm - 6k

5607. sepheq -- handclapping, mockery
... 5606, 5607. sepheq or sepheq. 5608 . handclapping, mockery. Transliteration:
sepheq or sepheq Phonetic Spelling: (say'-fek) Short Definition: scoffing. ...
/hebrew/5607.htm - 6k

2049. hathulim -- mockery
... 2048, 2049. hathulim. 2050 . mockery. Transliteration: hathulim Phonetic
Spelling: (haw-thole') Short Definition: mockers. Word ...
/hebrew/2049.htm - 6k

7335. razam -- to wink, flash
... root Definition to wink, flash NASB Word Usage flash (1). to twinkle the eye in
mockery: wink. A primitive root; to twinkle the eye (in mockery): wink. ...
/hebrew/7335.htm - 5k

5953a. alal -- to act severely
... root Definition to act severely NASB Word Usage abuse (2), abused (1), bring pain
(1), deal (1), dealt (2), made a mockery (2), make sport (1), practice deeds ...
/hebrew/5953a.htm - 5k

3917b. lits -- to scorn
... root Definition to scorn NASB Word Usage carry on as scoffers (1), deride (1), envoys
(1), interpreter (1), makes a mockery (1), mediator (1), mock (1), mocker ...
/hebrew/3917b.htm - 5k

4426. melitsah -- satire, a mocking poem
... figure. Word Origin from lits Definition satire, a mocking poem NASB Word
Usage figure (1), mockery (1). interpretation, taunting. ...
/hebrew/4426.htm - 6k

Of Derision [*Or Mockery] (Two Articles)
... OF DERISION [*Or mockery] (TWO ARTICLES). We must now speak of derision, under
which head there are two points of inquiry: (1) Whether ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/of derision or mockery two.htm

But as it is in Mockery that Celsus Says we Speak of "God Coming ...
... Chapter XIII. But as it is in mockery that Celsus says we speak of "God
coming down? But as it is in mockery that Celsus says ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen against celsus/chapter xiii but as it.htm

Of the Mockery which He Sustained at the Hands of Pilate's Cohort ...
... Chapter IX."Of the Mockery Which He Sustained at the Hands of Pilate's Cohort, and
of the Harmony Subsisting Among the Three Evangelists Who Report that Scene ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter ix of the mockery which.htm

But this Low Jester Celsus, Omitting no Species of Mockery and ...
... Chapter XXII. But this low jester Celsus, omitting no species of mockery
and ridicule which can be? But this low jester [3493] Celsus ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxii but this low.htm

The Gospel Further Relates that the Soldiers Parted the Garments ...
... my vesture they did cast lots." Nor were the Prophets silent even as to the robe,
the scarlet robe, which the soldiers are said to have put upon Him in mockery ...
/.../25 the gospel further relates.htm

Whether Reviling or Railing is a Mortal Sin?
... Reply to Objection 1: It belongs to wittiness to utter some slight mockery, not
with intent to dishonor or pain the person who is the object of the mockery ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether reviling or railing is.htm

Christ Crucified.
... Sentence of crucifixion (Mark 15:15; Luke 23:24, 25).15. Scourging and mockery
(Matt.27:26-30; Mark 15:16-19; John 19:1-3).16. Further ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/christ crucified.htm

Galatians v. 16, 17
... let us speak the same language to the sick man: tell him, "Follow thy healthy nature,
and them shalt not be sick," what would the words be but a bitter mockery ...
/.../arnold/the christian life/lecture viii galatians v 16.htm

Sin the Mocker
... Or if these consequences are in any measure silenced and stifled, a still more
melancholy mockery betrays him, in the continuance of the illusion that he is ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/sin the mocker.htm

Pilate
... Mark dismisses in a single verse. It was indeed a disgraceful mockery. ... It may have
been this mockery which suggested to Pilate the inscription for the cross. ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 15 1-20 pilate.htm

Mockery (12 Occurrences)
...Mockery (12 Occurrences). ... Hebrews 11:36 Others again were tested by cruel mockery
and by scourging; yes, and by chains and imprisonment. (WEY). ...
/m/mockery.htm - 9k

Scoff (18 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Derision; ridicule; mockery; derisive or mocking expression of scorn, contempt,
or reproach. 2. (n.) An object of scorn, mockery, or derision. ...
/s/scoff.htm - 12k

Mockers (14 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 1:22 "How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? How long will
mockers delight themselves in mockery, and fools hate knowledge? (WEB NIV). ...
/m/mockers.htm - 9k

Jeer (2 Occurrences)
... 3. (v.) To utter sarcastic or scoffing reflections; to speak with mockery or derision;
to use taunting language; to scoff; as, to jeer at a speaker. ...
/j/jeer.htm - 7k

Thorns (56 Occurrences)
... speak of the akanthine (Acanthus) crown, but there is no certainty about the peculiar
plant, from the branches of which this crown of cruel mockery was plaited ...
/t/thorns.htm - 25k

Michal (18 Occurrences)
... after David's enthusiastic joy and ecstatic dancing before the newly restored Ark
of the Covenant, she received him with bitter and scornful mockery (2 Samuel 6 ...
/m/michal.htm - 16k

Mocker (11 Occurrences)
... of qallacah "mocking," "derision" (Ezekiel 22:4); of empaigmos the Septuagint for
qallacah) (Hebrews 11:36; Wis 12:25; Ecclesiasticus 27:28, "mockery"; 2Ma 7:7 ...
/m/mocker.htm - 14k

Mocking (25 Occurrences)
... of qallacah "mocking," "derision" (Ezekiel 22:4); of empaigmos the Septuagint for
qallacah) (Hebrews 11:36; Wis 12:25; Ecclesiasticus 27:28, "mockery"; 2Ma 7:7 ...
/m/mocking.htm - 18k

Mock (43 Occurrences)
... of qallacah "mocking," "derision" (Ezekiel 22:4); of empaigmos the Septuagint for
qallacah) (Hebrews 11:36; Wis 12:25; Ecclesiasticus 27:28, "mockery"; 2Ma 7:7 ...
/m/mock.htm - 23k

Sport (99 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) That which diverts, and makes mirth; pastime;
amusement. 2. (n.) Mock; mockery; contemptuous mirth; derision. ...
/s/sport.htm - 35k

What does it mean that God is not mocked? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning and significance of the crown of thorns? | GotQuestions.org

How can I tap into the wisdom of God? | GotQuestions.org

Mockery: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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