Throughout Scripture, mockers and scoffers are depicted as those who resist wisdom and reject godly teachings. But how should believers respond when faced with people who mock or scorn their faith? The Bible provides both warnings and encouragement for handling these encounters with grace.
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What Does The Bible Say About Mockers And Scoffers
Proverbs 9:7-8
“Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse. Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you.”
This verse emphasizes the futility of trying to correct mockers and scoffers, as they are resistant to wisdom and correction. Instead, it encourages focusing on rebuking the wise who are open to learning and growth.
Proverbs 14:6
“The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.”
This verse highlights the contrast between a mocker and a discerning person. The mocker is unable to find wisdom, as their mindset and attitude hinder their ability to learn. On the other hand, the discerning person easily acquires knowledge through their receptive and wise approach.
Proverbs 19:29
“Penalties are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.”
Here, the verse emphasizes the consequences that await mockers and fools. Their actions and attitude will eventually lead to negative repercussions, both earthly and potentially in the spiritual realm.
Proverbs 21:24
“The proud and arrogant person—’Mocker’ is his name— behaves with insolent fury.”
This verse describes the character of a mocker as one who is prideful and arrogant, exhibiting a demeanor of fierce insolence. A mocker’s behavior is rooted in their inflated sense of self-importance.
Isaiah 28:14-15
“Therefore hear the word of the Lord, you scoffers who rule this people in Jerusalem. You boast, ‘We have entered into a covenant with death, with the realm of the dead we have made an agreement. When an overwhelming scourge sweeps by, it cannot touch us, for we have made a lie our refuge and falsehood our hiding place.'”
In this passage, the Lord addresses the scoffers who have made an alliance with death and the realm of the dead. They trust in deception and lies to shield them from the consequences of their actions, demonstrating their foolishness and lack of faith in God.
Isaiah 29:20
“The ruthless will vanish, the mockers will disappear, and all who have an eye for evil will be cut down.”
This verse speaks of the eventual demise of mockers and scoffers. Their ways will lead to their own downfall and destruction, while righteousness and justice will prevail in the end.
Jeremiah 5:15
“People of Israel,’ declares the Lord, ‘I am bringing a distant nation against you— an ancient and enduring nation, a people whose language you do not know, whose speech you do not understand.”
Here, God speaks to the people of Israel, warning them that He will bring a foreign nation against them due to their mockery and disobedience. This is a consequence of their actions and a reflection of God’s judgment.
Jeremiah 20:7
“You deceived me, Lord, and I was deceived; you overpowered me and prevailed. I am ridiculed all day long; everyone mocks me.”
In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah expresses his frustration and despair as he faces mockery and ridicule for faithfully proclaiming God’s message. He acknowledges feeling deceived by God’s calling, yet remains steadfast in his devotion to the Lord.
Ezekiel 22:4
“You have become guilty by the blood you have shed, and have become defiled by the idols you have made. You have brought your days to a close, and the end of your years has come. Therefore, I will make you an object of scorn to the nations and a laughingstock to all the countries.”
This verse reveals God’s judgment upon a sinful nation. The people’s violent actions and idolatry have led to their downfall, resulting in their becoming objects of mockery and scorn among the nations.
Micah 2:6
“Do not prophesy,’ their prophets say. ‘Do not prophesy about these things; disgrace will not overtake us.”
This verse exposes the attitudes of the false prophets, who reject and mock the prophecies of God’s judgment. They foolishly believe that disgrace will not befall them, displaying their blindness to the consequences of their actions.
Micah 3:5
“This is what the Lord says: ‘As for the prophets who lead my people astray, they proclaim ‘peace’ if they have something to eat, but prepare to wage war against anyone who refuses to feed them.”
In this verse, God denounces the corrupt prophets who deceive and mislead His people. They proclaim peace when it benefits them but are quick to turn against those who do not cater to their selfish desires and needs.
Zephaniah 2:10
“This is what they will get in return for their pride, for insulting and mocking the people of the Lord Almighty.”
Here, it is stated that mockers and scoffers will receive retribution for their pride and mockery towards God’s people. Their actions will not go unnoticed, and consequences will befall them as a result.
Matthew 27:29
“And when they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!'”
This verse describes the mocking of Jesus during His crucifixion. The soldiers cruelly crowned Him with thorns, ridiculing His claim to kingship. This act of mockery reveals the sinful nature of humanity’s rejection of the true King.
Mark 15:31-32
“In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. ‘He saved others,’ they said, ‘but he can’t save himself! Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.’ Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.”
This passage depicts the continued mocking of Jesus as He hangs on the cross. Even the religious leaders and those crucified alongside Him scoffed at His claims of being the Messiah and taunted Him to prove His power. Their mocking highlights the blindness of their hearts and unwillingness to believe in Christ.
Luke 16:14
“The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus.”
Here, the Pharisees, known for their hypocritical righteousness, mock Jesus due to their love for wealth and earthly possessions. Their hearts are set on worldly gain, making them blind to the true significance of Jesus’ teachings and presence.
Luke 23:11
“Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate.”
This verse describes Herod and his soldiers mocking Jesus during His trial. They demonstrated complete contempt for Jesus’ claims and dressed Him in a robe to purposefully belittle Him. Their mockery reflects the rejection faced by Christ throughout His earthly journey.
John 8:48
“The Jews answered him, ‘Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?'”
In this verse, the Jews mock Jesus by accusing Him of being a Samaritan, a racial insult meant to discredit His teaching. They also go so far as to claim He is possessed by a demon. Their mockery serves to diminish Jesus’ authority and undermine His message.
John 19:2-3
“The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to him again and again, saying, ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’ And they slapped him in the face.”
Here, the soldiers continue to mock Jesus as they place a crown of thorns on His head, dress Him in a purple robe, and strike Him. Their actions further ridiculed His claim to kingship and demonstrated their cruelty towards Him.
Acts 2:13
“But others were mocking and saying, ‘They are full of sweet wine!'”
On the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples, some onlookers mocked them, attributing their actions and behavior to drunkenness. Their ridicule aimed to dismiss the supernatural work of God’s Spirit.
2 Peter 3:3-4
“Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, ‘Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.'”
In this verse, Peter warns about the coming of scoffers in the last days who will mock and ridicule the promise of Christ’s return. They will deny the fulfillment of biblical prophecies and mock the idea of judgment, lulling themselves into a false sense of security.
Jude 1:17-18
“But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, ‘In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.'”
Jude echoes Peter’s warning, reminding believers of the apostles’ teachings regarding the coming of scoffers in the last days. These scoffers will disregard God’s truth and follow their own sinful desires, leading others astray.
Revelation 13:6-7
“It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. It was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation.”
In the context of the end times, this passage describes a beast that will rise and mock God, slandering His name and persecuting believers. The beast’s actions serve as a manifestation of the ultimate mockery and rebellion against God’s authority.
Revelation 19:20
“But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf. With these signs, he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.”
In this verse, the false prophet and the beast, who deceived and misled people, eventually meet their end in the lake of fire. Their mockery, lies, and manipulation are finally judged and condemned by God.
In conclusion, these Bible verses shed light on the reality of mockers and scoffers throughout history and their eventual fate. Mockers are characterized by their resistance to wisdom and correction, rooted in pride, arrogance, and disbelief. They often ridicule and belittle those who follow God’s ways, failing to comprehend the consequences of their actions. However, God’s judgment awaits them, and their mocking will ultimately be silenced. As believers, we are called to be discerning, rebuking the wise, and not wasting our efforts on those who are unresponsive to truth. We must persevere in faith, knowing that God is just and will deal with mockers and scoffers in His perfect timing.