The term "derides" refers to the act of mocking, ridiculing, or expressing contempt for someone or something. In the context of the Bible, derision is often depicted as an attitude or action that is contrary to the humility and respect that God desires from His people. The concept of derision is addressed in various passages, highlighting both human behavior and divine response.

Biblical Instances of Derision

1. Human Derision: The Bible frequently portrays derision as a sinful behavior exhibited by the wicked or those who oppose God and His people. In Psalm 2:4, the psalmist describes God's response to the nations conspiring against Him: "The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord derides them." Here, God's derision is a demonstration of His supreme authority and the futility of human rebellion.

2. Derision of the Righteous: The righteous often face mockery and scorn from the ungodly. In Psalm 22:7, a messianic psalm, the suffering servant laments, "All who see me mock me; they sneer and shake their heads." This passage prophetically points to the ridicule Jesus Christ endured during His crucifixion, as recorded in the Gospels.

3. Divine Derision: God's derision is depicted as a response to the arrogance and pride of those who oppose Him. In Proverbs 3:34, it is written, "He mocks the mockers but gives grace to the humble." This verse underscores the principle that God opposes the proud but shows favor to those who are humble and contrite in spirit.

4. Prophetic Warnings: The prophets often warned of the consequences of deriding God's messages and messengers. In 2 Chronicles 36:16, the chronicler recounts the people's response to God's prophets: "But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets until the wrath of the LORD rose against His people, until there was no remedy." This passage illustrates the severity of rejecting divine warnings and the resulting judgment.

5. New Testament Teachings: The New Testament continues to address the theme of derision, particularly in the context of persecution. In Luke 16:14, the Pharisees, who loved money, are described as deriding Jesus: "The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all of this and were scoffing at Him." This incident highlights the tension between Jesus' teachings and the values of the religious leaders of His time.

Theological Implications

Derision in the Bible is often associated with pride, unbelief, and rebellion against God. It serves as a warning against the dangers of mocking what is holy and righteous. The Scriptures consistently affirm that God will not be mocked and that those who deride His ways will ultimately face His judgment. Conversely, the Bible encourages believers to respond to derision with patience and faith, trusting in God's justice and vindication.

Practical Application

Believers are called to avoid participating in derision and to instead cultivate a spirit of humility and respect. In a world where mockery and scorn are prevalent, Christians are encouraged to stand firm in their faith, showing love and grace even to those who deride them. As followers of Christ, they are reminded of Jesus' example, who, despite being mocked and ridiculed, remained obedient to the Father and fulfilled His redemptive mission.

Matt. xxiii. 14
... After this, next He derides them for gluttony: and the grievous thing was, that
not from rich men's goods, but from the poor they indulged their own belly, and ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxiii matt xxiii 14.htm

Psalm 2:1. SM Translated According to the Divine Pattern, Acts iv. ...
... 5 The Lord derides their rage, And will support his throne; He that hath
rais'd him from the dead Hath own'd him for his Son. PAUSE. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/the psalms of david/psalm 2 1 s m translated.htm

Whether Derision Can be a Mortal Sin?
... xxxi, 15) "the ostrich signifies the hypocrite, who derides the horse, ie the just
man, and his rider, ie God." Therefore derision is not a mortal sin. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether derision can be a.htm

Of Scoffing and Derision.
... Twas a sober precept given one, not so much as to laugh in compliance with him
that derides another, for you will be hated by him he derides. ...
/.../allestree/the government of the tongue/section vii of scoffing and.htm

Some Helps to Mourning
... It is the spirits of mischief distilled. Sin dishonours God, it denies God's
omniscience, it derides his patience, it distrusts his faithfulness. ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/10 some helps to mourning.htm

Opposition to Messiah Ruinous
... Heathen rage? ; as ineffectual, the Lord laughs at His opposers; He sits
upon His immovable throne, and derides their attempts. The ...
/.../newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxxv opposition to messiah.htm

The Doctrine of the Resurrection of the Body Brought to Light by ...
... To the belief of this (article of the faith) truth compels us"that truth which God
reveals, but the crowd derides, which supposes that nothing will survive ...
/.../tertullian/on the resurrection of the flesh/chapter i the doctrine of the.htm

Hear, O Freedom, the Dispute of Two Servants: How they are ...
... what reproach: for the Evil One his comrade derides him, as but a shadow."5. Their
dispute is for thee a mirror, wherein thou mayest see: that they both are ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn liv hear o freedom.htm

Aristo of Pella.
... Celsus, who seems to have been a heathen or an Epicurean, derides the work with
scornful commiseration; but Origen rebukes this, and affirms his respect for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/aristo of pella.htm

Who was the Author of the Vanities Before Described in Italy among ...
... For Lucilius in these verses derides the folly of those who imagine that images
are gods: "The terrestrial [103] Lami??, which Faunus and Numa Pompilius and ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xxii who was the author.htm

Derides (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Derides (2 Occurrences). 1 Samuel 2:1 Hannah prayed, and
said: "My heart exults in Yahweh! My horn is exalted in Yahweh. ...
/d/derides.htm - 6k

Derideth (1 Occurrence)

/d/derideth.htm - 6k

Deriders (1 Occurrence)

/d/deriders.htm - 6k

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