What Does the Bible Say About Mocking?
The Bible emphasizes that mockery is an unacceptable behavior and warns of its detrimental outcomes. Being the word of God, the Bible frequently mentions that God disapproves of arrogance and scorn. At its core, mockery is a lack of respect for the emotions, opinions, and experiences of another. It is in stark contrast to the virtue of love, one of the key teachings of the Bible. Love, in its true form, does not ridicule or belittle. This biblical teaching encourages individuals to abandon mockery and cultivate an attitude of love and regard for others.
Why Does the Bible Discourage Mocking?
The Bible discourages mocking because it contradicts the fundamental virtues of love, humility, and respect for others. Many verses guide towards upholding these virtues and discourage any attitudes or actions that undermine them. Mocking, which is essentially ridiculing or deriding someone, goes against these core teachings. The Bible professes respect for every individual, regardless of their status, views, or actions. Mockery is a sign of pride and disrespect, both of which are not encouraged in the biblical teachings.
Who Does the Bible Refer to as Mockers?
Mockers, as referred to in the Bible, are individuals who deliberately deride or ridicule others. These people tend to act out of pride and lack of love. Mocking is seen as an extension of arrogance, and the Bible cautions against associating with mockers. It elaborates that maintaining association with individuals who have a tendency to mock can lead to adopting this negative behavior and straying away from God’s teachings. The Bible calls on its readers to rise above such behavior and instead, bridle their tongues and conduct themselves with kindness and humility.
When Does the Bible Address Mocking?
The Bible addresses mocking in many contexts and verses throughout both the Old and New Testaments. It addresses this topic when teaching about respect, love, righteousness, wisdom, and humility, among other virtues. According to the Bible, there is never a right time or circumstance to degrade or belittle another person through mockery. The Bible consistently emphasizes that love and respect should define every spoken word and action.
Where Does the Bible Warn Against Mocking?
The Bible warns against mockers in diverse settings. This includes warnings about those who mock wisdom and instruction, and scorn righteous living. Additionally, it warns about those who mock the less fortunate, and those who use their words to cause harm and spread negativity. The Bible advises that one should not sit in the company of mockers, as doing so can lead to adopting their negative behavior. In essence, the Bible preaches maintaining respect and dignity for self and others, and abstaining from any form of mockery. It extends this warning to all scenarios and encourages readers to exhibit love and kindness instead.
Below is our full list of bible verses on mocking (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Mocking
Proverbs 17:5
“5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.”
Related Themes: Homelessness Poverty Serving The Poor
Psalm 1:1
“1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”
Related Themes: Reaping Frustration Reaping What You Sow Bullying Gossip
2 Peter 3:3-7
“3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.”
Proverbs 15:12
“12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.”
Isaiah 57:4
“4 Against whom do ye sport yourselves? against whom make ye a wide mouth, and draw out the tongue? are ye not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood,”
Galatians 6:7
“7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
Related Themes: Reaping Reaping What You Sow Reaping Lust Reaping What You Sow
Proverbs 14:6-9
“6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.”
Related Themes: Discernment Friendship Wisdom
Ephesians 4:29
“29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
Related Themes: Gossip Criticism Complaining Judging Others Cursing
Romans 12:2
“2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
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Ephesians 5:4
“4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.”
James 1:5
“5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
Related Themes: Wisdom Education Dating Discernment Doubt
2 Chronicles 36:16
“16 But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy.”
Proverbs 14:7
“7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.”
Related Themes: Stupidity
Acts 2:13
“13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.”
Proverbs 20:1
“1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”
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Matthew 5:11
“11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.”
Related Themes: Gossip Bullying Persecution False Accusations Persecution
Luke 23:36
“36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,”
Jude 1:18
“18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.”
Related Themes: Lust
Psalm 1:1-6
“1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.”
Related Themes: Reaping Frustration Reaping What You Sow Bullying Gossip
Mark 15:17-18
“17 And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head,18 And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!”
Proverbs 3:34
“34 Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.”
Luke 23:11
“11 And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.”
Proverbs 21:24
“24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.”
Proverbs 1:22
“22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?”
2 Kings 2:23
“23 And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.”
Luke 16:14
“14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.”
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Isaiah 28:22
“22 Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord GOD of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth.”
Proverbs 9:8
“8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.”
Related Themes: Criticism Judging Others Rebuking
Titus 2:3
“3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;”
2 Peter 3:3
“3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,”
