What Does the Bible Say About Mockery?

In biblical terms, mockery means ridiculing, belittling, or making fun of someone whether a person, Satan, or God. It involves treating someone as if they have no dignity or significance. Often, mockery carries elements of contempt, sarcasm, and insults.

Throughout Scripture, we see examples of people mocking fellow humans, mocking Satan and his kingdom, and even attempting to mock God Himself. Let’s examine these categories closely.

1. Mockery Toward Humans

Example: Ishmael Mocking Sarah
After Hagar bore Ishmael to Abraham, Ishmael mocked Sarah, which was seen as a grave offense leading to their expulsion.

Genesis 21:9–10 (NKJV):
“Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking. Therefore she said to Abraham, ‘Cast out this bondwoman and her son; for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son Isaac.’”

Theological note:
This mockery represented not just childish teasing but an assault on Sarah’s honor and God’s covenant promise. Isaac was the child of promise (see Romans 9:7-8), so Ishmael’s ridicule threatened the unfolding of God’s redemptive plan.

Other biblical servants of God faced mockery too, for example:

2 Chronicles 36:16 describes how the prophets were mocked by those who rejected God’s message.

Nehemiah 4:1 recounts the enemies mocking the Jews rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls.

Interestingly, Scripture also depicts God mocking those who oppose Him:

Psalm 2:4 (NKJV): “He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision.”
This divine mockery reflects God’s sovereign power and the futility of rebelling against Him.

2. Mockery Toward Satan and His Kingdom

The prophet Elijah mocked the prophets of Baal to reveal the impotence of their god.

1 Kings 18:27–28 (NKJV):
“At noon Elijah mocked them and said, ‘Cry aloud, for he is a god; either he is meditating, or he is busy, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened.’ They cried aloud, cut themselves, until blood gushed out on them.”

Theological note:
Elijah’s mockery was not sinful arrogance but a prophetic act exposing idolatry and affirming the one true God’s supremacy (see Exodus 20:3-5). It demonstrated that false gods are powerless.

3. Mockery Toward God

God Cannot Be Mocked
Scripture emphatically declares that God is not to be mocked because He is just and sovereign.

Galatians 6:7-8 (NKJV):
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.”

Theological note:
This passage warns that those who live according to sinful desires will face judgment, illustrating God’s righteous governance. Attempting to mock or reject God ultimately brings consequences.

Example: Syrians Mocking God’s Power
The servants of the Syrian king mocked Israel’s God by claiming He was only powerful in the hills, not on the plains. God corrected this by delivering Israel victory even in the plains.

1 Kings 20:23-30 (NKJV) recounts how God gave Israel overwhelming victory over the Syrians, showing that His power is universal.

Theological note:
This teaches that God’s sovereignty transcends geography or circumstance. God is Lord over all creation (see Psalm 103:19), and His power is not limited.

4. Do Not Test or Mock God

God warns believers not to harden their hearts or test Him, as the Israelites did.

Psalm 95:8–11 (NKJV):
“Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, as in the day of trial in the wilderness… For forty years I was grieved with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their hearts, and they have not known My ways.’ So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest.’”

Theological note:
Testing God reveals a lack of trust and faith, which results in judgment. Believers are called to trust God’s promises fully (see Hebrews 3:7-11).

Final Thoughts: How We Should Approach Mockery

Never mock fellow believers or God’s servants. The Bible teaches love and respect among the body of Christ (see Romans 12:10).

Do not attempt to mock or test God. His holiness and justice make that impossible and dangerous.

Mocking Satan and his forces is appropriate when done in faith and under God’s protection. For example, the apostle Paul demonstrated spiritual authority over evil spirits. But those who mock Satan without spiritual power risk harm.

Acts 19:13-17 (NKJV) tells of the sons of Sceva, who tried to cast out demons by invoking Jesus’ name without authority, resulting in a humiliating defeat.

Expect to Be Mocked as Followers of Christ

Being a Christian means facing mockery, just as Jesus and the apostles did:

Jesus was mocked by soldiers before His crucifixion (Luke 22:63).

The apostles were mocked by onlookers (Acts 2:13).

Believers have endured mockery and persecution throughout history (Hebrews 11:36).

Yet, the Bible encourages believers to respond with forgiveness and perseverance.

In the Last Days, Mockers Will Increase

Scripture prophesies a rise in scoffers before Christ’s return:

2 Peter 3:3 (NKJV):
“Knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts.”

Jude 1:18 (NKJV):
“…in the last time there will be mockers, following their own ungodly lusts.”

This warns Christians to stand firm and be prepared for opposition.

May God bless you.

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