Mockery

"And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment." (Hebrews 11: 36 KJV)

"Mock," in the New Testament, is most often translated from the Greek word "empaizō" and means, according to Strong, - "to play with, trifle with," and "to delude and deceive." Of this Greek word, Vine wrote:

"A compound of paizo, "to play like a child" (pais), "to sport, jest," prefixed by en, "in" or "at," is used only in the Synoptists, and, in every instance, of the "mockery" of Christ, except in Mat 2:16 (there in the sense of deluding, or deceiving, of Herod by the wise men) and in Luk 14:29, of ridicule cast upon the one who after laying a foundation of a tower is unable to finish it."

The word "mockings" in the opening verse in Hebrews is from this same Greek word. In that verse the reference is to the many "cruel mockings" that God's believing people experienced at the hand of "mockers" in the Old Testament.

A synonym for "mock" is "ridicule." "Words or actions intended to evoke contemptuous laughter at or feelings toward a person or thing." Another word that means nearly the same as "mock" is "deride." It is a showing of contempt. To "mock" also means to "scoff" and to "jeer." It also means, in modern slang, to "make fun of" another. It is a kind of "bullying."

This can be done with speech or with actions, by bodily gestures, such as "wagging the head" in a disgusting manner at someone, or to "roll the eyes" at someone, or to "spit" in some way, either at or towards a person, and in many other ways. In the Old Testament the word for a mocker was a "scorner," one who shows scorn for another. "Scorn" is defined as -

1 : open dislike and disrespect or derision often mixed with indignation
2 : an expression of contempt or derision
3 : an object of extreme disdain, contempt, or derision

"Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour." (Proverbs 14: 9 KJV)

"But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you." (Proverbs 1: 25-27 KJV)

In this sense all lost sinners are mockers, to one degree or another. They "mock at sin," believing that bible believers and Christians "make too much of" sin. Mockers at sin think sin is "no big deal." They are heard to say - "why is God so interested in my sex life?" Or, "are a few sins worth being sent to hell forever?" Or, "can't God just get over it?" And, many other such sayings, show that they see "sin" and disobedience to God as a "light matter," one of no "serious" consequences. Those who are "in love" with sin, and enjoy their sinful lifestyles, "laugh at" the word of God, and his law, but Lord God says that he will "have the last laugh." As mockers have mocked him and mocked his word and scoffed and jeered at his laws, and his people, so he will make a mockery of them in the end.

"Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished." (Proverbs 17: 5 KJV)

These character traits go together. One who is a "mocker" and "reproacher" of others is one who is also a mocker and reproacher of his Maker, and he is also one who is "glad" when calamities happen to others. Solomon referred to the latter in this verse also.

"Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him." (Proverbs 24: 17, 18 KJV)

Those who are "mockers" are they who are the lowest of the lowest in terms of morals. They are truly pathetic. They have no love or concern for the well being of others. They spend all their time degrading others, in both actions and deeds. They are hedonists, sadists, and egotists.

"Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools." (Proverbs 19: 29 KJV)

"The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it." (Proverbs 30: 17 KJV)

The scorner, scoffer, mocker, derider, ridiculer! He will reap and will suffer the aweful judgment of God for their "cruel mockings."

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." (Galatians 6: 7 KJV) Wisdom is not mocked. God is not mocked. Those who "mock at sin" mock at God. God is not successfully mocked.

"the scorner is an abomination to men" (Proverbs 24: 9 KJV)

"scorners delight in their scorning" (Proverbs 1: 22 KJV)

"A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke." (Proverbs 13: 1 KJV)

"Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath." (Proverbs 21: 22 KJV)

What do these verses tell us about scorners and mockers? They cannot be reasoned with or rebuked. It is a waste of time, like "casting pearls before swine" or "giving what is holy to dogs." (Matthew 7: 6) Those who practice mockery inordinately are not popular people! Mockers are proud, egotistical, and full of hot air, filled with wrath and contempt.

"And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead." (Luke 8: 52, 53 KJV)

This was one of many times where Christ was "made fun of" during his ministry. Wicked mockers tried often to "make sport of" Jesus. Jesus was often the brunt of jokes, of jeers, of snide remarks, of scorn and contempt. Of course, after he raised the dead, he "got the last laugh."

"And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again." (Matthew 20: 19 KJV)

Here Jesus prophesies of his mockings to come, the "cruel mockings" associated with his trial and execution.

"And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon 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!" (Matthew 27: 29 KJV)

"And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him." (Matthew 27: 40-42 KJV)

"Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again." (Luke 18: 31-33 KJV)

"And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him. And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?" (Luke 22: 63, 64 KJV)

"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...And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself." (Luke 23: 11, 35-37 KJV)

All this mocking of the Son of God! How dreadful to behold it! Mocking him in words and in bodily gestures! Yes, but his resurrection made a mockery of all their mockings! So too will his coming again!

"But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him." (Psalm 22: 6-8 KJV)

This was a prophecy concerning the death of the Messiah and of his sufferings. Notice how the gospel descriptions show how Christ fulfilled, in every way, this ancient prophecy.

"Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine." (Acts 2: 13 KJV)

"And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter." (Acts 17: 32 KJV)

"Mocked" in these verses is from the Greek word "chleuazō" and means - 1) to mock, deride, jeer. (Strong)

So, not only the Old Testament believers, and the Messiah himself, experience "cruel mockings" from those who "mock at sin" and "scoff at God," but so do Christians. The gospel and story of the cross and resurrection, and the promise of Christ's return, and the behavior of Christians, are all openly ridiculed and derided by proud unbelievers.

"But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit." (Jude 1: 17-19 KJV)

"That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 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." (II Peter 3: 2-4 KJV)

Scoffing and mocking will be "at an all time high" in the days immediately preceding the return of Jesus. Is it not a widespread sin today? Growing in enormity also?