“In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes, were mocking Him among themselves…”
(Mark 15:31a)
The word ‘mock’ comes from the Greek word ‘to play or joke’. When we mock someone we are joking and playing with them, but not in a good way. They didn’t ask to be played with and we are joking at them, not with them. There’s a difference and we all know it when we see it. A joke that is too cutting or sarcastic turns into a mock pretty quickly. I’ve been guilty of that. Perhaps you have, too?
The worst type of mocking is done in groups. That’s what the priests and scribes did with Jesus. They gathered around and made fun of our Lord amongst themselves. They laughed at His teachings, made fun of how beat up His body was, and even joked about Jesus’ relationship with His Father. It was cruel and it pains us to read those parts of the Bible.
Don’t become a part of a mocking group. It’s sinful to joke about people behind their backs or gossip about them when they are down and out. If you tell a joke that goes too far, own it and apologize, you will make a friend instead of losing one. The best jokes are with friends, not making enemies.