Mockery and Beating

When bullied or mocked, children in America say a rhyme,

Sticks and stones may break my bones.

But words shall never hurt me.

In truth, that is not true. Insulting or hurtful words do long-lasting damage to the victims.

Early in the morning of Jesus’s trial, some men surrounding him decided to have some fun.

They mocked him, blindfolded him, beat him, and said, “Prophesy: Who hit you?” While they did that, many others joined and blasphemed against him. (Luke 22:63–65)

Their words attacked others’ claim that he was a true prophet, for example, the Samarian woman at the well (John 4). They didn’t want a future prophecy or a telling of the truth. They tried to play a silly game of if he could prophesy who hit him while he was blindfolded! That’s mockery!

There’s a slight play on words in Greek: they en-paizo [mocked] him and asked o-paiso [who hit] you? Perhaps ancient children had such a game where they blindfolded one, hit him/her, and asked, “Who hit you?” In a severe time as Jesus’s trial, some around him decided to play childish games. Others joined him with their blaspheme of him.

In our lives, we will often face mockery and verbal beating. Just as Jesus remained silent and stayed focused on what he came to do, we need to stay focused. Yes, words will hurt us, but they shouldn’t hinder us from doing God’s will.