Scripture and Prayer for Mockery and Scorn
The biblical concept of mockery and scorn is deeply intertwined with the experiences of the righteous and the wicked. Scripture frequently portrays the righteous as being mocked and scorned by the wicked, a theme that is evident in various books, including Psalms, Proverbs, and Job. For instance, Psalm 74:22 implores God to "Arise...Plead your own cause. Remember how the foolish man mocks you all day" [2]. Similarly, Job laments being "as one mocked of his neighbour, who calleth upon God, and he heareth him" [6].
This motif is not limited to the Old Testament. In the New Testament, the apostle Peter warns of "scoffers" who will arise in the last days, making a mockery of Christian faith and the second coming of Christ [7]. According to John Gill, these scoffers will "make a mock at sin, make light of it, plead for it, openly commit it, and glory in it; and scoff at all religion" [7]. This eschatological warning underscores the ongoing tension between the righteous and the wicked, with mockery and scorn being used as tools of oppression and ridicule.
The wisdom literature, particularly Proverbs, addresses the issue of mockers and scorners directly. Proverbs 22:10 advises, "Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; yes, quarrels and insults will stop" [4]. This suggests that the presence of mockers can lead to strife and contention, and their removal can restore peace. Furthermore, Proverbs 1:26 warns that God will "laugh at your disaster. I will mock when calamity overtakes you" [5], indicating a divine response to those who mock and scorn the righteous.
The experience of mockery and scorn is not only a human phenomenon but also has a divine dimension. The righteous are called to endure mockery and scorn with faith and perseverance, as exemplified by Christ, who "endured" mockery and scorn during his ministry and passion [1]. Torrey's Topical Textbook lists numerous biblical references where the righteous endure mockery and scorn, including Jesus Christ himself, who was mocked and scorned during his ministry and passion (e.g., Mt 9:24; 27:29) [1].
In prayer, the righteous often cry out against their mockers and scorners, seeking divine vindication and relief. Psalm 71:13 is a typical example, where the psalmist prays, "Let my accusers be disappointed and consumed. Let them be covered with disgrace and scorn who want to harm me" [3]. This kind of prayer reflects the deep emotional and spiritual distress caused by mockery and scorn, as well as the desire for divine justice and protection.
The interpretation of mockery and scorn varies across traditions. In the Jewish tradition, Rashi interprets Isaiah 30:12 as referring to a "perverse one, a disgraceful one and a mocker" [9]. Christian interpreters, such as Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, see the mocker as a characteristic figure associated with drunkenness and debauchery, citing Proverbs 20 [8]. The Puritan tradition, represented by Matthew Henry, views the scoffers of the last days as those who will "make a mock of sin, and of salvation from it" [10].
Sources
- 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”
- Psalms “Arise, God! Plead your own cause. Remember how the foolish man mocks you all day. -- Psalms 74:22”
- Psalms “Let my accusers be disappointed and consumed. Let them be covered with disgrace and scorn who want to harm me. -- Psalms 71:13”
- Proverbs “Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; yes, quarrels and insults will stop. -- Proverbs 22:10”
- Proverbs “I also will laugh at your disaster. I will mock when calamity overtakes you; -- Proverbs 1:26”
- Job “Job 12:4 (Geneva1599) — I am as one mocked of his neighbour, who calleth vpon God, and he heareth him: the iust and the vpright is laughed to scorne.”
- 2 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Peter 3:3: Knowing this first,.... In the first place, principally, and chiefly, and which might easily be known and observed from the writings of the apostles and prophets; see Ti1 4:1; that there shall come in the last days scoffers, or "mockers"; such as would make a mock at sin, make light of it, plead for it, openly commit it, and glory in it; and scoff at all religion, as the prejudice of education, as an engine of state, a piece of civil policy to keep subjects in awe, as cant, enthusiasm, and madness, as a gloomy melancholy thing, depriving men of true pleasure; and th”
- Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 20 (introduction): (Pro. 20:1-30) mocker--scorner. Such men are made by wine. strong drink--made by spicing wine (compare Isa 5:11, Isa 5:22); and it may include wine. raging--or boisterous as a drunkard. deceived--literally, "erring," or reeling.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Isaiah 30:12: and a perverse one a disgraceful one and a mocker.”
- 2 Peter (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Peter 3:3: To quicken and excite us to a serious minding and firm adhering to what God has revealed to us by the prophets and apostles, we are told that there will be scoffers, men who will make a mock of sin, and of salvation from it. God's way of saving sinners by Jesus Christ is what men will scoff at, and that in the last days, under the gospel. This indeed may seem very strange, that the New Testament dispensation of the covenant of grace, which is spiritual and therefore more agreeable to the nature of God than the Old, should be ridiculed and reproached; but the spiri”