Thank you for the question about ridiculed, “What does the Bible say about being ridiculed?”
Here are some thoughts on ridicule:
A. The definition of ridicule.
Ridicule is someone speaking in a contemptuous and dismissive language or behavior. Common synonyms of ridicule are deride, mock, and taunt. It is malicious belittling. It is related to bullying.
B. The Mockers. TheBook of Proverbs is a Book of Wisdom that records wise choices and unwise choices of the foolish and mocking person.
Prov. 1:23–27 describes the mocker and its consequences. It says this: “How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?…24 But since you refuse to listen when I call and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand, 25 since you disregard all my advice and do not accept my rebuke, 26 I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you; I will mock when calamity overtakes you—27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind” (NIV).
Generally speaking, the mocker thinks that s/he knows what is right and best based on his personal experience or the experience of others. This persons laughs and makes despairingly remarks about the other person. It is to tear down the self-esteem of the other person, to trample on him without any regard for his/her well-being. It is to make fun of a person’s beliefs and or lifestyle.
Psalm 22 speaks of the mockers and their mocks in the NIV.
He describes the mockers in this way: “Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. 13 Roaring lions that tear their prey open their mouths wide against me.”
He describes the words of the mockers in this way: “But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people. 7 All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads. 8 “He trusts in the Lord,” they say, “let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.”
The mocker intends to “cut to the bone” of the person by their sharp words. The more cruelty that he inflicts, the greater is his pleasure. The mocker seeks to totally discredit the other person (II Pet. 3:3).
C. The Mocked or the Ridiculed.
The person who is mocked or ridiculed feels shame and worthlessness. His pride and dignity is stripped away from him/her and replaced with scorn. That person is labeled and everyone knows it. There is no escaping of it. The self-worth of the person is severely damaged, even irreparable damage.
The mocked or ridiculed pain may turn to bitterness and rage. S/he may seek revenge on the persons who inflicted the harm on him. If uncontrolled, that anger may be channeled to seek revenge and a little bit more. That person may want the mocker to feel what he felt and that without compassion.
Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22 reflects the feeling of the mocked person.
Psalm 22 says that he feels that he is a worm, “But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people” (verse 6).
Psalm 22 says that he feels abandon by all. No one stands up for him, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? 2 My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest.[b]” (Verse 1–2, 11).
Psalm 22 says that he may wish that he wasn’t born, “Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast. 10 From birth I was cast on you; from my mother’s womb you have been my God” (Verse 9–10).
Psalm 22 says that he feels that he is being torn apart relentlessly again and again, “Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. 13 Roaring lions that tear their prey open their mouths wide against me” (Verse 12–13,16).
Psalm 22 says that he feels defenseless and disheartened, “I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax;
it has melted within me” (Verse 14).
Psalm 22 says that he can’t finds words to refute their cruelty, “My mouth[d] is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death? (verse 15).
Psalm 22 says that he may be beaten up and things taken from him, “All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. 18 They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment” (Verse 17–18).
Psalm 22 says that he prays that God will rescue and vindicate him, “But you, LORD, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me. 20 Deliver me from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs. 21 Rescue me from the mouth of the lions; save me from the horns of the wild oxen” (verse 19–21).
The mocked or ridiculed person is helpless. If he dares to say something to the mocker something even worse may happen to me. He is silent and bears the pain inwardly. Tears or cries of pain doesn’t reflect the depth of his inward pain. No one seems to care. His only hope is in God, if God will some how intervene in his behalf.
SUMMARY: The mocker is callous and cruel and the mocked is defenseless and silent bearing the blunt of cruel words or physical harm on his body and in his spirit. Jesus understands what a mocked person undergoes. He was mocked, beaten, and crucified. He knows our pain.