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What does the Bible say about making fun of people?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible forbids making fun of people, calling believers instead to speak with kindness, humility, and words that build others up. Ephesians 4:29 and 5:4 warn against corrupt, foolish, and crude speech, while Proverbs 11:12 commends restraint rather than contempt. Mocking often reveals pride and a failure to love one’s neighbor, especially when it targets the weak or suffering, as Proverbs 17:5 and 14:31 teach. James 4:11-12 and Matthew 7:1-2 caution against slandering and judging others harshly. Even jokes meant lightly can wound, for Proverbs 26:18-19 exposes the deceit of harmful humor. Christians should repent of ridicule and use speech to give grace, remembering God alone is the final Judge.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Ephesians 4:29 8 votes

    Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for building up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.

  • Proverbs 17:5 8 votes

    Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.

  • Ephesians 5:4 6 votes

    nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not appropriate; but rather giving of thanks.

  • James 4:11-12 5 votes

    [11] Don't speak against one another, brothers. He who speaks against a brother and judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge. [12] Only one is the lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge another?

  • Matthew 7:1-2 4 votes

    [1] "Don't judge, so that you won't be judged. [2] For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you.

  • Proverbs 11:12 4 votes

    One who despises his neighbor is void of wisdom, But a man of understanding holds his peace.

  • Proverbs 26:18-19 4 votes

    [18] Like a madman who shoots firebrands, arrows, and death, [19] Is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "Am I not joking?"

  • Romans 2:1 3 votes

    Therefore you are without excuse, O man, whoever you are who judge. For in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself. For you who judge practice the same things.

  • 2 Kings 2:23-24 2 votes

    [23] He went up from there to Bethel; and as he was going up by the way, there came forth young lads out of the city, and mocked him, and said to him, Go up, you baldy; go up, you baldhead. [24] He looked behind him and saw them, and cursed them in the name of Yahweh. There came forth two she-bears out of the wood, and mauled forty-two lads of them.

  • Proverbs 14:31 2 votes

    He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker, But he who is kind to the needy honors him.

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