Dictionary of Bible Themes » 8000 The life of the believer » 8700 Threats to the life of faith » 8782 mockery
A form of ridicule directed especially against individuals, with the purpose of humiliating them. Scripture condemns mockers as arrogant, unrighteous and foolish.
Targets of mockery
God
Isaiah 52:5 See also Psalm 74:10,18,22
Job
Job 30:1 See also Job 17:2; Job 21:3; Job 30:9
God's servants
2 Chronicles 36:16 See also Nehemiah 2:19; Psalm 22:7; Psalm 35:15-16; Psalm 69:12; Psalm 80:6; Psalm 89:50-51; Psalm 119:51; Jeremiah 20:7; Lamentations 3:14,63
Christians mocked:
Acts 2:13; Acts 17:32; Acts 26:24
Jesus Christ
Matthew 20:17-19 pp Mark 10:32-34 pp Luke 18:31-33 See also Matthew 26:67-68 pp Mark 14:65 pp Luke 22:63-65; Luke 23:11; Matthew 27:27-31 pp Mark 15:16-20; Matthew 27:41-44 pp Mark 15:31-32 pp Luke 23:35; Luke 23:36
Those who oppose God will become objects of mockery
Proverbs 3:34 See also 2 Kings 19:20-28 pp Isaiah 37:22-29; Job 22:17-20; Jeremiah 10:14-16 pp Jeremiah 51:17-19; Ezekiel 22:1-5
False accusations of mockery
Job 11:1-3 See also Job 9:21-24 Job accuses God of mocking the plight of innocent sufferers.
Mockery in metaphorical use
Proverbs 20:1
Characteristics of mockers
They are proud and arrogant
Proverbs 21:24 See also Proverbs 3:34
They instigate strife
Proverbs 22:10 See also Proverbs 9:7; Proverbs 29:8
They do not respond to correction
Proverbs 15:12 See also Proverbs 1:22-26; Proverbs 13:1; Proverbs 19:25
Scripture condemns mockers as unrighteous
Psalm 1:1 See also Proverbs 14:6 Resistance to correction accounts for the failure to find wisdom; Proverbs 14:9; Proverbs 24:9; Isaiah 57:4; Hosea 7:5
Mockers will be punished
Proverbs 1:22-26 See also Proverbs 9:12; Proverbs 17:5; Proverbs 19:28-29; Proverbs 21:11; Proverbs 30:17; Isaiah 28:22; Isaiah 29:20; Zephaniah 2:10-11; Galatians 6:7
See also
2530 Christ, death of 5818 contempt 5823 cruelty 5879 humiliation 5893 insults 8361 wisdom 8727 enemies 8759 fools 8802 pride 8815 ridicule 8819 scoffing