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Biblical Wisdom for Dealing with Ridicule and Mockery

Biblical wisdom literature, particularly the book of Proverbs, offers extensive guidance on how to understand and respond to ridicule and mockery. The concept of a "mocker" (or "scorner") is a distinct category of individual within this literature, often contrasted with the wise and the simple [1, 3].

The book of Proverbs frequently highlights the negative characteristics and consequences associated with mockers. Mockers are depicted as those who resist instruction and wisdom. For instance, Proverbs 21:11 states that when a mocker is punished, even the simple gain wisdom, implying that mockers themselves are resistant to learning [1]. Similarly, Proverbs 9:12 warns that if one mocks, they alone will bear the consequences [4]. The presence of mockers can lead to strife and conflict, as Proverbs 22:10 advises, "Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; yes, quarrels and insults will stop" [5]. This suggests that removing such individuals can restore peace.

The Bible also describes God's own response to mockery. Proverbs 1:26 portrays God declaring, "I also will laugh at your disaster. I will mock when calamity overtakes you" [2]. This passage indicates a divine judgment against those who scorn wisdom and instruction.

Beyond the general characterization of mockers, biblical texts also address how the righteous should respond when they face ridicule. The sufferings of Christ, for example, were predicted to include scorn and mockery (Psalm 22:6-8; Isaiah 53:3; Luke 18:32), and he indeed endured it (Matthew 9:24; 27:29) [8]. Saints throughout biblical history have also faced mockery for their faith, uprightness, and faithfulness in declaring God's word [8]. Isaac, whose name means "laughter," was himself a subject of mockery (Genesis 21:9; Galatians 4:29) [6, 8].

A key theme in dealing with ridicule is the importance of fearing the Lord rather than fearing people. Isaiah 8:11-15 emphasizes that fearing people can lead to destruction, whereas fearing the Lord makes Him a sanctuary and assures salvation [9]. This idea is echoed in 1 Peter 3:14-15, which exhorts believers not to be afraid of threats but to worship Christ as Lord, thereby freeing them from the fear of human persecutors [10]. A healthy fear of the Lord counteracts inner turmoil and brings peace [11, 12]. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown interpret Isaiah 8:13 as sanctifying God's name by regarding Him as the sole hope of safety, and fearing Him lest one provoke His wrath through fear of man [13].

Wisdom literature also provides practical advice on how to engage with mockers. Proverbs 19:25 suggests that striking a mocker can make the simple beware, while rebuking a discerning person leads to knowledge [3]. However, there is also a nuanced approach to responding to fools and mockers. Matthew Henry, commenting on Proverbs 26:4, notes that wise individuals need discernment in dealing with fools, knowing when to speak and when to remain silent. He suggests that in some cases, it is unwise to engage a fool on their own terms, such as by boasting in response to their boasting or railing in response to their passionate talk [16]. This highlights the importance of prudence, which is intimately connected with wisdom and involves dealing with knowledge and understanding one's own ways [7].

Ecclesiastes 7:5-6 further distinguishes between the praise of a fool and the criticism of a wise person, noting that the former is worthless and short-lived, while the latter can lead to real gain [14]. John Gill, commenting on Ecclesiastes 2:2, observes that laughter, when indulged to excess or on trivial occasions, can be "madness," making a person appear foolish rather than wise [15]. This suggests that not all laughter or lightheartedness is beneficial, especially when it descends into mockery.

Sources

  1. Proverbs “When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom. When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge. -- Proverbs 21:11”
  2. Proverbs “I also will laugh at your disaster. I will mock when calamity overtakes you; -- Proverbs 1:26”
  3. Proverbs “Proverbs 19:25 (BSB) — Strike a mocker, and the simple will beware; rebuke the discerning man, and he will gain knowledge.”
  4. Proverbs “If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it. -- Proverbs 9:12”
  5. Proverbs “Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; yes, quarrels and insults will stop. -- Proverbs 22:10”
  6. Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Isaac — laughter”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prudence — Exhibited in the manifestation of God's grace -- Eph 1:8. Exemplified by Christ -- Isa 52:13; Mt 21:24-27; 22:15-21. Intimately connected with wisdom -- Pr 8:12. The wise celebrated for -- Pr 16:21. They who have Get knowledge. -- Pr 18:15. Deal with knowledge. -- Pr 13:16. Look well to their goings. -- Pr 14:15. Understand the ways of God. -- Ho 14:9. Understand their own ways. -- Pr 14:8. Crowned with knowledge. -- Pr 14:18. Not ostentatious of knowledge. -- Pr 12:23. Foresee and avoid evil. -- Pr 22:3. Are preserved by it. -- Pr 2:11. Suppress angry fee”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Scorning and Mocking — The sufferings of Christ by, predicted -- Ps 22:6-8; Isa 53:3; Lu 18:32. Christ endured -- Mt 9:24; 27:29. Saints endure, on account of Being children of God. -- Ge 21:9; Ga 4:29. Their uprightness. -- Job 12:4. Their faith. -- Heb 11:36. Their faithfulness in declaring the word of God. -- Jer 20:7,8. Their zeal for God's house. -- Ne 2:19. The wicked indulge in, against The second coming of Christ. -- 2Pe 3:3,4. The gifts of the Spirit. -- Ac 2:13. God's threatening. -- Isa 5:19; Jer 17:15. God's ministers. -- 2Ch 36:16. God's ordinances. -- L”
  9. Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 8:11: 8:11-15 This text reveals the heart of Isaiah’s message. The issue was fear of the Lord versus fear of people (see 7:9; 8:6). When an individual fears people, the Lord becomes a trap and destruction is certain (cp. Prov 29:25; see “Fearing People” Theme Note). For those who fear the Lord, he becomes a sanctuary; their salvation is assured.”
  10. 1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 3:14: 3:14-15 or be afraid of their threats: See Isa 8:13, where God exhorts the prophet to fear nothing except the Lord. • worship Christ as Lord: By fearing Christ, they will be free from fear of their human persecutors.”
  11. Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 15:16: 15:16 A healthy fear for the Lord counteracts inner turmoil and brings inner peace. • Better to have little: See also 16:8.”
  12. Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 9:10: 9:10-12 Fear of the Lord: See study note on 1:7.”
  13. Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 8:13: Sanctify--Honor His holy name by regarding Him as your only hope of safety (Isa 29:23; Num 20:12). him . . . fear--"fear" lest you provoke His wrath by your fear of man and distrust of Him.”
  14. Ecclesiastes (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ecclesiastes 7:5: 7:5-6 Being praised by a fool and enjoying a fool’s laughter are short-lived and worthless. Being criticized by a wise person can lead to real gain (Prov 17:10).”
  15. Ecclesiastes (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ecclesiastes 2:2: I said of laughter, it is mad,.... The risible faculty in man is given him for some usefulness; and when used in a moderate way, and kept within due bounds, is of service to him, and conduces to the health of his body, and the pleasure of his mind; but when used on every trivial occasion, and at every foolish thing that is said or done, and indulged to excess, it is mere madness, and makes a man look more like a madman and a fool than a wise man; it lasts but for a while, and the end of it is heaviness, Ecc 7:6. Or, "I said to laughter, thou art mad" (x); and the”
  16. Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 26:4: See here the noble security of the scripture-style, which seems to contradict itself, but really does not. Wise men have need to be directed how to deal with fools; and they have never more need of wisdom than in dealing with such, to know when to keep silence and when to speak, for there may be a time for both. 1. In some cases a wise man will not set his wit to that of a fool so far as to answer him according to his folly "If he boast of himself, do not answer him by boasting of thyself. If he rail and talk passionately, do not thou rail and talk passionately ”
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