The term "derided" refers to the act of mocking, ridiculing, or expressing contempt for someone or something. In the context of the Bible, derision is often directed towards individuals who are righteous or towards God Himself. This behavior is typically portrayed as sinful and indicative of a hardened heart or a lack of understanding of divine truth.

Biblical Instances of Derision

1. Jesus Christ: One of the most poignant examples of derision in the Bible is the mockery faced by Jesus Christ during His crucifixion. The Gospels recount how Jesus was mocked by soldiers, religious leaders, and even those crucified alongside Him. In Luke 23:35-37 , it is written: "The people stood watching, and the rulers sneered at Him, saying, 'He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.' The soldiers also mocked Him and came up to offer Him sour wine."

2. Prophets and Messengers: Prophets in the Old Testament often faced derision from those who rejected their messages. For instance, the prophet Jeremiah experienced significant ridicule and scorn from his contemporaries. In Jeremiah 20:7 , he laments, "I am ridiculed all day long; everyone mocks me."

3. The Righteous: The Psalms frequently mention the derision faced by the righteous. Psalm 22, a messianic psalm, vividly describes the scorn and mockery endured by the psalmist, which prophetically points to the suffering of Christ. Psalm 22:7 states, "All who see me mock me; they sneer and shake their heads."

Theological Implications

Derision in the Bible is often associated with unbelief and rebellion against God. Those who mock the righteous or divine truth are depicted as lacking wisdom and understanding. Proverbs 14:9 states, "Fools mock the making of amends, but goodwill is found among the upright." This highlights the contrast between the attitudes of the foolish and the wise.

God's Response to Derision

The Bible assures believers that God is aware of the mockery and derision they face and that He will ultimately vindicate His people. In Psalm 2:4 , it is written, "The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord taunts them." This verse underscores God's sovereignty and His ultimate authority over those who deride Him and His anointed.

Practical Application

Believers are encouraged to respond to derision with patience and faith, trusting in God's justice and timing. Jesus taught His followers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them (Matthew 5:44). The Apostle Paul also exhorted Christians to bless those who persecute them and not to repay evil with evil (Romans 12:14, 17).

In summary, derision in the Bible is a manifestation of opposition to God's truth and His messengers. It serves as a reminder of the spiritual battle between belief and unbelief, and it calls believers to respond with grace and steadfastness in their faith.(imp. & p. p.) of Deride.

That He was Derided Because of his Excessive Clemency.
... Book IV. Chapter XXXI."That he was derided because of his Excessive Clemency.
Meantime, since there was no fear of capital punishment ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xxxi that he was derided.htm

Messiah Derided Upon the Cross
... Sermon XXI Messiah Derided Upon the Cross. Messiah Derided Upon the Cross ... I. The
persons who scorned and derided Him, were various, and of different characters. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon xxi messiah derided upon.htm

God Just as Well as Merciful; Accordingly, Mercy must not be ...
... For God is "jealous," [734] and is One who is not contemptuously derided [735]
"derided, namely, by such as flatter His goodness"and who, albeit "patient ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/on modesty/chapter ii god just as well.htm

He Reproves the Triflings of the Manich??ans as to the Fruits of ...
... 18. These things being ignorant of, I derided those holy servants and prophets
of Thine. And what did I gain by deriding them but ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter x he reproves the triflings.htm

Desolation of the Earth.
... The world see the very class whom they have mocked and derided, and desired to
exterminate, pass unharmed through pestilence, tempest, and earthquake. ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /41 desolation of the earth.htm

Desolation of the Earth
... The world see the very class whom they have mocked and derided, and desired to
exterminate, pass unharmed through pestilence, tempest, and earthquake. ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 41 desolation of the.htm

Reflections Upon the Preceding Account.
... The apostles came forth amongst the Gentiles under no other name than that of Jews,
which was precisely the character they despised and derided. ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/section ii reflections upon the.htm

Psalm LXXVI.
... Christ hath risen again, though derided on the Cross; that very Cross whereon He
was derided, He hath now imprinted on the brows of kings: and men yet sleep ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxvi.htm

The Epistle of Judas
... 4:1 f., that the imminent end of things would be heralded by the rise of scoffing,
loose-living religionists within the churches, who derided the stricter ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/the epistle of judas.htm

God's People Delivered.
... "They also which pierced Him,"(1097) those that mocked and derided Christ's dying
agonies ... Those who derided His claim to be the Son of God are speechless now. ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /40 gods people delivered.htm

Derided (12 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Derided (12 Occurrences). Matthew 9:24 he said, Withdraw,
for the damsel is not dead, but sleeps. And they derided him. ...
/d/derided.htm - 9k

Deride (7 Occurrences)
... curse. (See NAS RSV). Psalms 119:51 The proud have derided me beyond measure:
I have not declined from thy law. (Root in DBY NAS RSV). ...
/d/deride.htm - 8k

Offscouring (2 Occurrences)
... The weeping prophet uses it as he looks upon his erstwhile fair and holy city,
despoiled, defiled, derided by the profane, the enemies of God and of His people ...
/o/offscouring.htm - 8k

Withdraw (52 Occurrences)
... to Galilee, (YLT). Matthew 9:24 he said, Withdraw, for the damsel is not
dead, but sleeps. And they derided him. (DBY YLT). Acts 4 ...
/w/withdraw.htm - 22k

Thorns (56 Occurrences)
... thornz (akdnthinos stephanos): Three of the four evangelists mention the crown of
thorns, wherewith the rude Roman soldiers derided the captive Christ (Matthew ...
/t/thorns.htm - 25k

Rabshakeh (15 Occurrences)
... He derided King Hezekiah in an insolent fashion in representing his trust
in Egypt as a bruised reed which would pierce the hand. ...
/r/rabshakeh.htm - 14k

Died (348 Occurrences)
... But he said, Do not weep, for she has not died, but sleeps. (DBY NAS). Luke
8:53 And they derided him, knowing that she had died. (DBY NAS). ...
/d/died.htm - 34k

Deriders (1 Occurrence)

/d/deriders.htm - 6k

Covetous (11 Occurrences)
... WBS YLT). Luke 16:14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all
these things: and they derided him. (KJV DBY WBS). Romans ...
/c/covetous.htm - 9k

Sleeps (20 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Sleeps (20 Occurrences). Matthew 9:24 he said, Withdraw,
for the damsel is not dead, but sleeps. And they derided him. (DBY). ...
/s/sleeps.htm - 11k

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