A verbal expression of blame. Scripture gives examples of both divine and human rebuke. Sometimes God issues rebukes directly but more commonly he did so through the OT prophets. In the NT Jesus Christ and the apostles issue rebukes and teach the church how to address those who sin.

Leviticus 26:23-24

God has an absolute right to rebuke those who depart from his ways

See also

He sometimes exercises this right directly

Deuteronomy 28:20
Nehemiah 9:30
Job 5:17
Psalms 39:11; 50:21; 94:12; 105:14; 119:21
Jeremiah 2:19,30
Hebrews 8:8
Job 26:11
Psalms 80:16; 104:7

His rebuke is powerful

Isaiah 50:2
Numbers 22:28

In the OT much rebuke came indirectly

2 Peter 2:16

Balaam's ass rebukes Balaam:

1 Samuel 2:25
1 Samuel 15:12-26

Eli rebukes his sons

1 Samuel 24:5-7

Samuel rebukes Saul

2 Samuel 12:1-12

David rebukes his men

1 Kings 18:18

Nathan rebukes David

Ezra 10:9-11

Elijah rebukes Ahab

Isaiah 1:10-17

Ezra rebukes the men of Judah and Benjamin

Hosea 4:1-3

Isaiah rebukes Judah and Jerusalem

Hosea rebukes the Israelites.

Matthew 17:18

Examples of Jesus Christ issuing rebukes

To evil spirits

See also

pp Mk 9:25

Luke 4:41

pp Lk 9:42

Mark 8:33

To his disciples

Mark 16:14

pp Mt 16:23

Matthew 16:22

Other examples of rebuke being administered in the NT

Inappropriate rebukes by Jesus Christ's disciples:

Matthew 19:13

pp Mk 8:32

Luke 3:19

pp Mk 10:13

pp Lk 18:15

Luke 23:40-41

John the Baptist rebukes Herod

The repentant thief on the cross rebukes the other crucified criminal.

Proverbs 1:23-26

Proverbs on the subject of rebuke

See also

The importance of responding correctly to a rebuke

Proverbs 6:23; 10:17; 12:1; 15:10,31-32; 17:10; 19:25
Ecclesiastes 7:5
Proverbs 9:7-8

Different responses to a rebuke

Leviticus 19:17

Instructions to believers on giving and receiving rebuke

See also

On giving a rebuke

Matthew 18:15
Luke 17:3
Galatians 6:1
Colossians 1:28; 3:16
1 Timothy 5:1
1 Timothy 5:20

advice on rebuking those who are older

2 Timothy 3:16

disciplining elders

2 Timothy 4:2
Titus 1:9,13; 2:15

the usefulness of Scripture for rebuking

James 5:19-20
Hebrews 12:5

See also

On receiving a rebuke

1 Corinthians 16:14
Hebrews 12:6

See also

Believers thus follow the example of the Lord himself

Proverbs 3:12
Revelation 3:19

See also

1614 Scripture, understanding
5113 Peter, disciple
5194 touch
5777 admonition
5901 loneliness
6115 blame
6163 faults
7772 prophets
8230 discipline
8718 disobedience