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, Psalm 74:18, Psalm 74:22
And now what have I here? declares the LORD. For My people have been taken without cause; those who rule them taunt, declares the LORD, and My name is blasphemed continually all day long.
Job
Job 30:1 See also Job 17:2, Job 21:3, Job 30:9
“But now they mock me, men younger than I am, whose fathers I would have refused to put with my sheep dogs.
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, Lamentations 3:63ACT Lamentations 2:13, Acts 17:32, Acts 26:24
But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy.
Jesus Christ
Matthew 20:17–19 parallels Mark 10:32–34, Luke 18:31–33 See also Matthew 26:67–68 parallels Mark 14:65, Luke 22:63–65; Luke 23:11; Matthew 27:27–31 parallel Mark 15:16–20; Matthew 27:41–44 parallels Mark 15:31–32, Luke 23:35; Luke 23:36
As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside and said, “Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn Him to death and will deliver Him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. And on the third day He will be raised to life.”
Those who oppose God will become objects of mockery
Proverbs 3:34 See also 2 Kings 19:20–28 parallel Isaiah 37:22–29; Job 22:17–20; Jeremiah 10:14–16 parallel Jeremiah 51:17–19; Ezekiel 22:1–5
He mocks the mockers, but gives grace to the humble.
False accusations of mockery
Job 11:1–3 See also Job 9:21–24 Job accuses God of mocking the plight of innocent sufferers.
Then Zophar the Naamathite replied: “Should this stream of words go unanswered and such a speaker be vindicated? Should your babbling put others to silence? Will you scoff without rebuke?
Mockery in metaphorical use
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
Characteristics of mockers
They are proud and arrogant
Proverbs 21:24 See also Proverbs 3:34
Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man — of him who acts with excessive pride.
They instigate strife
Proverbs 22:10 See also Proverbs 9:7, Proverbs 29:8
Drive out the mocker, and conflict will depart; even quarreling and insults will cease.
They do not respond to correction
Proverbs 15:12 See also Proverbs 1:22–26, Proverbs 13:1, Proverbs 19:25
A mocker does not love to be reproved, nor will he consult the wise.
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
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.
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
“How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge? If you had repented at my rebuke, then surely I would have poured out my spirit on you; I would have made my words known to you. Because you refused my call, and no one took my outstretched hand, because you neglected all my counsel, and wanted none of my correction, in turn I will mock your calamity; I will sneer when terror strikes you,
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.