Jesus' Sarcastic Side: 5 Times He Used Wit Against Critics

JESUS WAS SARCASTIC
EDITED BY GLENN PEASE
John 10:31-33 31Againhis Jewish opponents picked
up stones to stone him, 32but Jesus saidto them, "I
have shown you many good works from the Father.
For which of these do you stone me?" 33"Weare not
stoning you for any good work," they replied, "but for
blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be
God."
Yes, Jesus was Sarcastic... andit Worked
RachelDawson
What topic related to Christianity, faith, and the Bible is trending online and
in socialmedia today?
There are lots of things I love about who Jesus is, and who he was when he
was on earth in a human body. I know, that sounds like such a Sunday school
thing to say… but it’s true. I love that he was kind. I love that he was
compassionate. Ilove that he was a wise teacher. I love that he caredabout his
family and did life with his friends. But also? I really love that Jesus was
sarcastic.
We don’t talk about the sarcasmof Jesus allthat much, but it’s one of my
most favorite things about him. Jesus keptit real. As someone who
appreciates a healthy dose of sass and sarcasmpersonally, I love that I read so

many stories in the Gospels ofJesus dishing it out to the people he talked to
and taught.
JaysonBradley recently shared“4 Times Jesus UsedSarcasmto Make a
Point” on RelevantMagazine. “Whensomeone tells me that irreverence,
satire and sarcasmstrikes a tone that isn’t Christ-like, I wonder what Bible
they’re reading,” he says.
I, too, find it amusing when people think the Bible is dry, or that Jesus was
boring. I’ve often laughed out loud at the stories I read in Scripture, loving
the times Jesus told it how it was or gave the Pharisees a run for their money.
I so appreciate that Jesus wasn’ta one-dimensionalteacheror leader, but
instead fully human, having a sense ofhumor and a personalityeven in his
perfection.
Here are the four examples Bradley shares of Jesus at his sarcastic bestin
Scripture:
Matthew 12:1-3:
“At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples
were hungry and beganto pick some heads of grain and eatthem. When the
Pharisees sawthis, they said to him, ‘Look! Your disciples are doing what is
unlawful on the Sabbath.’ He answered, ‘Haven’t you read what David did
when he and his companions were hungry?’”
Oh, the Pharisees.Theyknew the Scriptures well, and they were constantly
trying to trip Jesus up like they knew better.
“When Jesus asksthem if they’ve read a Scripture before He explains it to
them, it’s a taunt,” Bradley says. “They’ve readit; they just haven’t
completely understood it or internalized it. This sarcasmisn’t just mean-
spirited mockery;it’s strategy.”
John 10:31-32:

“Again his Jewishopponents pickedup stones to stone him, but Jesus saidto
them, ‘I have shown you many goodworks from the Father. For which of
these do you stone me?’”
The Jews in this story wanted so badly to find a reasonto get Jesus out of the
picture. He had been claiming he was God, and he was threatening everything
they thought they knew and understood.
“It’s a particularly tense moment that Jesus ramps up with a fairly brassy
question,” says Bradley. “Christreminds them of the many ways He has
already establishedwho He is. If they want to test the veracity of his
statement, there are many witnesses who will corroborate. So, whichgood
work do you plan on killing me for? It’s a fairly bold sneer for someone facing
down a mob.”
Luke 13:33:
“At that time some Phariseescame to Jesus and said to him, ‘Leave this place
and go somewhere else. Herodwants to kill you.’ He replied, ‘Go tell that fox,
‘I will keepon driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow,
and on the third day I will reach my goal.’In any case, Imust press on today
and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet candie outside
Jerusalem!”
Here, we see Jesus calling Herod a name (doesn’t “fox” seem tame compared
to what names we so readily call leaders and authority figures today?) and
calling him out, essentially.
“Jesus goesonto make one of the driest, most melancholic jokes in the entire
Bible when He says, ‘NeverthelessI must journey on today and tomorrow and
the next day; for it cannot be that a prophet would perish outside of
Jerusalem,”’Bradleywrites. “He’s basicallysaying, ‘I know you Jews love to
kill your prophets. Farbe it from me not to trek back to Jerusalemto give you
the opportunity.’”
Matthew 23:4-7, 13-15:

“Theytie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s
shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
‘Everything they do is done for people to see:They make their phylacteries
wide and the tassels ontheir garments long; they love the place of honor at
banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues;they love to be
greetedwith respectin the marketplaces and to be called‘Rabbi’ by others.’”
“'Woe to you, teachers ofthe law and Pharisees, youhypocrites! You shut the
door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter,
nor will you let those enter who are trying to. ‘Woe to you, teachers of the law
and Pharisees,you hypocrites!You travel over land and sea to win a single
convert, and when you have succeeded, youmake them twice as much a child
of hell as you are.’”
Jesus is making bold, sweeping generalizationshere. In our day in age, anyone
who identified as a Pharisee wouldsurely be up in arms, ranting on Facebook
about how they weren’t like all the others… when it’s the system as a whole
that there was a problem with. Speaking in generalizations like this is “a
device Jesus used-- a lot,” says Bradley.
I, for one, am glad for the sarcasmofJesus. I’m grateful that I read these
passagesand so many others throughout Scripture and see that Jesus was a
real human with real emotions and a real sense ofhumor. Like Bradley
concludes, “mockery, satire and sarcasmaren’t simply mean spirited
responses,they’re rhetoricalweapons in the hands of those on the bottom.:
And Jesus? Eventhough he might have been sarcastic towardthe Phariseesor
snarky towardthe Jews who wanted to stone him, he still died for eachand
every one of them. He still loved them to the ends of the earth and beyond. He
just didn’t feign politeness when a dose of reality was necessaryand he always
kept it real. I have to say, I’m a fan.
It might come as a surprise that Jesus was very sarcastic, but he was. First, let
us look at what sarcasmis:

1. harsh or bitter derision or irony.
2. a sharply ironicaltaunt; sneering or cutting remark
The origin of the word gives us a better understanding – it comes from the
Greek “sarkasmos”and that comes from another word which means “to tear
flesh, bite the lip in rage”.
Sometimes sarcasmcanbe used to make a joke (but be careful of your
audience). Sometimes it can be used to make a strong and biting point. This is
how Jesus uses it more often than not.
So, was Jesus harsh, bitter, sharp, sneering, cutting, and ironic? Yes.
But, first I will give you my favorite Old Testamentusage ofsarcasm(there
are a lot) – it comes out of 1 Kings 18. Here the prophet Elijah puts the priests
of Baalthat they should accepta challenge from him to see whichGod is best
– Baalor Yahweh. So, they have a challenge to see which Godwould show up
to burn up the sacrifice made by Elijah vs the priests of Baal.
Then they calledon the name of Baalfrom morning till noon. “Baal, answer
us!” they shouted. But there was no response;no one answered. And they
danced around the altar they had made. At noon Elijah beganto taunt them.
“Shout louder!” he said. “Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or
busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.”
What you don’t see in the majority of most English translations is how much
Elijah was really taunting them. Here is a better translation:
“About noontime, Elijah began mocking them. ‘You’ll have to shout louder
than that,’ he scoffed, ‘to catchthe attention of your god! Perhaps he is
talking to someone, oris out sitting on the toilet, or maybe he is away on a
trip, or is asleepand needs to be wakened.’”
Baalmight be asleep? Mightbe on the toilet? HA HA! I love it!!!
5 Times Jesus is Sarcastic
So what about Jesus?

Matthew 15:21-28 – Calls the Canaanite womana “dog”, whichwas a terribly
insulting and would prick the Canaanite woman directly – she was not a Jew,
the first group Jesus is sent to.
Matthew 23 (the entire chapter) – first he says the Jewishleaders are
hypocrites and the Jesus should do what they say, but not what they do. Then
Jesus gives the 7 woes (full of sarcasm), then he calls the leaders “snakes,you
brood of vipers”
Mark 12:24 – Jesus asksthe Sadducees “are you not in error because youdo
not know the Scriptures of the powerof God?” These were leaders who
prided themselves on knowing Scriptures, so this was a terribly sarcasticand
insulting statement.
John 9 – the story of the blind man is FULL of sarcasm, but most from the
blind man (and his family). Jesus laststatementto the Pharisees is very
sarcastictoo – calling them blind.
Luke 13:31 – Jesus calls Herod a fox, but he uses the feminine of the Greek
word, which means he is calling him a vixen. Now that is an insult!
Now, with that all being said, we are not Jesus!We have to be VERY careful
with sarcasm. As anyone who knows me knows – I can be way too harsh with
my sarcasm. Jesus was the only one who could always use sarcasmwithout
sinning.
You and I are not Jesus. So, if you use sarcasm, be careful. Of course, this is
coming from a sarcastichypocrite…
Marcel
Marcelis a husband and father of five, serves on the pastoralcouncil at St.
Mary’s and is the founder and Executive Directorof Catholic Missionary
Disciples.

5 Times Jesus is Sarcastic
Matthew 15:21-28 – Calls the Canaanite womana "dog", whichwas a terribly
insulting...
Matthew 23 (the entire chapter) – first he says the Jewishleaders are
hypocrites and...
Mark 12:24 – Jesus asksthe Sadducees "are you not in error because youdo
not know...
John 9 – the story of the blind man is FULL of sarcasm,...
4 Times Jesus Used Sarcasmto Make a Point
Postedon
January 10, 20199 minute readJaysonD. Bradley
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It always strikes me as funny when I hear Gen Xers bad mouth millennials
(which seems to happen on the regular). My peers forget the early ’90s when

we were seenas the world’s entitled-jerk generation. We’re just lucky that
socialmedia didn’t exist while we were the world’s scapegoats.
The irony generation
When angry boomers and their “greatestgeneration”elders talkedabout my
generation, they’d always accuseus of caustic irony and cynicism—it seems
we had ushered in a golden age of sarcasm. We were the generationwho had
David Letterman as its patron saint.
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The ’60s hippy revolution had devolved into the self-centered’70s, which
sloped into the hollow ’80s. We grew up in that vacuous decade—10 years that
majored in form at the expense of substance. It was an era of big hair, cold
brass and soulless art(Patrick Nagel, anyone?).
As my generationcame of age, we didn’t really rebel. We just viewedthe
world around us with wry contempt. Grunge was my generation’s response to
our culture’s emotionless, inorganic plasticity. We fought our generational
battles by openly mocking the idols of authority. We exposedthe ’80s’
illusions with a sense ofdetached irony, and came to hold sentimentality and
earnestnesswith skepticism. Overtime, the irony that setmy generationfree
became its own prison.
I honestly think that one of the biggestproblems Gen X has with millennials is
that we don’t know what to do with forthright, heartfelt passion. We didn’t
have the tools that are available to millennials to make our voice heard. We
couldn’t quickly organize marches or easily raise awareness.We felt
powerless andthe only weaponwe had was to see the world as a huge joke
that didn’t deserve to be engagedortakenliterally.

I’m incredibly proud of the generationthat followedus. And I’m thankful
that we stripped away a lot of the pretense that would have prevented them
from engaging so effectively.
‘Sarcasmcreatesa far chasm’
I’m sarcastic. Actually, that last sentence doesn’tseemstrong enough. I work
in sarcasmlike Zoltan Szabo workedin watercolors. I had a co-workerwho
constantly (but politely) reminded me, “Sarcasmcreates a far chasm.”
Apparently, he felt I was too sarcastic(as if that’s a thing) and wanted to
remind me that sarcasmnegativelyimpacted relationships.
I now have a public platform that’s equal parts candor and irony, and I’m
often getting comments from people who just don’t getit. I still think that
satire and sardonic critique are the best ways to unmask the powers that be,
but people seemreally uncomfortable when they see these tools usedin
conjunction with Christian spirituality.
The other day I posteda photo on Facebook ofthe EasterBunny rolling away
the stone in front of Jesus’tomb. It was well-receiveduntil some guy felt the
need to drop into the comments to correctmy irreverence. His criticism was
brief, “So that’s how much His life for yours, means to you?”
I geta lot of angry people who want to debate and argue with me. I generally
try to be as accommodating and kind as possible—until I catcha whiff of
condescensionorrudeness. At that point, I feel my generationalconditioning
kick in and the scalpelcomes out. I don’t really care about the argument
(which will inevitably go on forever); I just want to cut away the pretense and
ugliness, exposing the argument for what it is. It’s a response that I’m not
always proud of.
The word “sarcasm” comesfrom the Greek wordsarkasmos(a sneer, jest,
taunt, mockery). The root word is sarx which means “flesh.” Takenmore
literally, sarcasmmeans “to strip off the flesh.” That seems to be a pretty
damning definition, but it’s not. Sometimes pretext and hypocrisy needs to be
surgicallyremoved before genuine dialogue can happen. It’s amazing how
many people think that sarcasmis off-limits for Christians.

Our sarcasticSavior
When someone tells me that irreverence, satire and sarcasmstrikes a tone
that isn’t Christ-like, I wonder what Bible they’re reading. Jesus fought
againstan entrenched powerstructure and often did so with cutting satire. If
you don’t think there are any jokes in the Bible, you’re probably reading it
with too much sanctimony.
Here are a few examples of Jesus’sarcasm(and if I included Paul’s, we could
be here all day):
Have you not read? (Matthew 12)
At that time Jesus wentthrough the grain fields on the Sabbath, and His
disciples became hungry and beganto pick the heads of grain and eat. But
when the Pharisees sawthis, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples do what
is not lawful to do on a Sabbath.” But He saidto them, “Have you not read
what David did when he became hungry …” – Matthew 12:1–3
This is a pretty common response Jesususes whenhe’s being confronted
(Matthew 12:5, 19:4, 21:6, 21:42, 22:31). Matthew’s Gospelis written to
appeal to Jewishreaders, and I think he draws attention to Christ’s use of this
phrase because he knows they get the joke.
Usually Jesus says this to the Pharisees, whosepowerrestedon a superior
knowledge ofScripture. When Jesus asks them if they’ve read a Scripture
before He explains it to them, it’s a taunt. They’ve read it; they just haven’t
completely understood or internalized it.
This sarcasmisn’t just mean-spirited mockery; it’s strategy. The public way
that Pharisees confrontJesus is a powerplay intended to give them the upper
hand and establishtheir dominance. By taunting them, Jesus assureseveryone

present that He’s not intimidated by their “authority,” and He maintains the
advantage without letting the conversationdevolve into a debate. More
important, He demonstrates God’s annoyance with pride.
Sarcasmlevel:Gandalf from Lord of the Rings
Which goodwork do you punish me for? (John 10)
The Jews pickedup stones againto stone Him.Jesus answeredthem, “I
showedyou many goodworks from the Father; for which of them are you
stoning Me?” – John 10:31–32
Jesus had just claimed that He and God were one, and the smug Jews who
were present pickedup rocks to stone Him. It’s a particularly tense moment
that Jesus ramps up with a fairly brassy question. They’ve been looking for an
opportunity to take him out, and Jesus’blasphemy just gave it to them.
Christ reminds them of the many ways He has already establishedwho He is.
If they want to test the veracity of his statement, there are many witnesses
who will corroborate. So, whichgoodwork do you plan on killing me for? It’s
a fairly bold sneerfor someone facing down a mob.
Sarcasmlevel:Rob Gordon (John Cusack)from High Fidelity
Guess I need to die in Jerusalem(Luke 13)
Just at that time some Pharisees approached, saying to Him, “Go away, leave
here, for Herod wants to kill You.” And He said to them, “Go and tell that

fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and
the third day I reach My goal.’Nevertheless Imust journey on today and
tomorrow and the next day; for it cannot be that a prophet would perish
outside of Jerusalem. – Luke 13:33
First of all, I love that Jesus calls Herod “that fox.” Today we would call
someone a fox because we consideredthem clever. That’s not how Jesus
meant it. Foxes were solitary, destructive and unclean. Herod ruled over the
Jews and feigned solidarity with them, but he was a dangerous, poisonous
man who was only looking afterhimself. Our Lord was not speaking kindly.
This seems like a goodmoment to talk about tone. When Christians speak out
about other Christians or authority figures, they’re often chastised. It’s as if
politeness is the highest Christian virtue. Here we see Jesus summing up
Herod’s characterwith an epithet, and if you read Paul’s letters, He’s
frequently calling out people and groups (read Galatians 5, for Pete’s sake).
You cannot protectthe sheepby hugging wolves.
Jesus goeson to make one of the driest, most melancholic jokes in the entire
Bible when He says, “NeverthelessI must journey on today and tomorrow and
the next day; for it cannot be that a prophet would perish outside of
Jerusalem.” He’s basicallysaying, “I know you Jews love to kill your
prophets. Far be it from me not to trek back to Jerusalemto give you the
opportunity.
Sarcasmlevel:John McClane (Bruce Willis) from Die Hard
Sweeping, mean-spirited generalities
Was every Pharisee terrible? No. There were many kind, sincere Pharisees
who were nothing like the image that’s often presentedin the gospelaccounts.

Did that stopJesus from lambasting the lot of them? Nope. Just check out
Matthew 23:
They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they
themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger. (verse 4)
They do all their deeds to be noticed by men. (verse 5)
They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues,
and respectfulgreetings in the market places (verse 6–7)
[They] shut off the kingdom of heaven from people (verse 13)
[They] devour widows’houses (verse 14)
[They] travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte;and when he
becomes one, [they] make him twice as much a son of hell as [them]selves.
(verse 15)
It just goes onand on this way, and Jesus talks like this about them
throughout the gospels.If this was written in the 21stcentury, they would
have responded with a #NotAllPharisees hashtag.If I was to write about any
group this way, I’d get so many emails my server would explode.
But this wasn’t really about individual Pharisees, this was a problem with the
pharisaicalsystem. And any sincerelyreligious Pharisee would have had to
agree with Him. Speaking in generalities is another polemic that’s frowned
upon, but let’s be honest;it’s an extremely effective rhetoricaldevice—
especiallyfor people trapped within in a broken system.
I wrote a post called“Hello, I’m a Recovering Racist”afterbeing exposedto a
lot of discussionthat I had initially written off as sweeping generalities about
whites. But the more I thought about it, the more my perspective was
challenged. My thinking eventually evolved from “#NotAllWhitePeople”to
“Maybe there is a problem.” Once I recognizedthe truth in those generalities,
I could identify ways that my thinking contributed to the issue.

That change in my thinking only occurredbecause I found myself lumped in
with someone’s generalitiesaboutwhites. I needed the slap in the face to
seriouslyquestion the things I believed. If this discussionwas framed as “some
white people do this” I would have excusedmyself from any culpability and
went on with life. I had to see myself included with the guilty group in order to
come to grips with my share of the blame.
The same goes with criticisms of men, evangelicals, straightpeople and
Americans. When I hear criticism leveled at a group that I’m part of, my first
instinct isn’t what it used to be. In the past, I would’ve become defensive and
angry. Now I just listen, ruminate and try and do a personal inventory. Where
I would have tone policed the personresponsible and told them they shouldn’t
use generalizations, now I recognize that it’s a device that Jesus used—a lot.
Is respectdemanded of us?
When power is distributed unequally, people don’t have a lot of options to
restore balance. Mockery, satire and sarcasmaren’t simply mean-spirited
responses,they’re rhetoricalweapons in the hands of those on the bottom.
They defy the status quo, challenge powerstructures and strip away
affectation.
It’s Jim Halpert rolling his eyes at the camera on The Office. It’s Voltaire’s
Candide parodying philosophic optimism. It’s a world-weary Tyrion
Lannister sneering at the ridiculous motives of those around him.
Jesus lovedand died for the Pharisees He belittled. He even showedsome
measure of respectto their position (Matthew 23:2–3), but that didn’t instill in
Him any obligationto fake kindness towardthe damage the pharisaical
system was doing.
If I had a white supremacistneighbor with cancer, I hope that I’d be there to
give him rides to the doctor, bring him meals and serve him in whateverways
I could. In fact, I would hope that I could truly befriend that individual.
Would I show deference and respectto his opinions? Nah.

This article was adapted from jaysondbradley.com. Used with permission.
https://relevantmagazine.com/god/4-times-jesus-used-sarcasm-to-make-a-
point/
13 Bible Verses aboutSarcasm
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›
MostRelevantVerses
Joshua 17:14-15
Then the sons of Josephspoke to Joshua, saying, "Why have you given me
only one lot and one portion for an inheritance, since I am a numerous people
whom the LORD has thus far blessed?" Joshua saidto them, "If you are a
numerous people, go up to the forest and cleara place for yourself there in the
land of the Perizzites and of the Rephaim, since the hill country of Ephraim is
too narrow for you."
Judges 9:7-15
Now when they told Jotham, he went and stoodon the top of Mount Gerizim,
and lifted his voice and called out. Thus he said to them, "Listen to me, O men
of Shechem, that God may listen to you. "Once the trees went forth to anoint a
king over them, and they said to the olive tree, 'Reign over us!' "But the olive
tree said to them, 'Shall I leave my fatness with which God and men are
honored, and go to wave over the trees?'readmore.
Judges 10:14

Verse Concepts
"Go and cry out to the gods which you have chosen;let them deliver you in
the time of your distress."
2 Samuel 6:20
Verse Concepts
But when David returned to bless his household, Michalthe daughter of Saul
came out to meet David and said, "How the king of Israeldistinguished
himself today! He uncoveredhimself today in the eyes of his servants'maids
as one of the foolishones shamelesslyuncovers himself!"
1 Kings 20:10-11
Ben-hadad sent to him and said, "Maythe gods do so to me and more also, if
the dust of Samaria will suffice for handfuls for all the people who follow me."
Then the king of Israelreplied, "Tell him, 'Let not him who girds on his
armor boast like him who takes it off.'"
2 Kings 14:9
Verse Concepts
Jehoashking of Israel sentto Amaziah king of Judah, saying, "The thorn
bush which was in Lebanon sent to the cedar which was in Lebanon, saying,
'Give your daughter to my son in marriage.'But there passedby a wild beast
that was in Lebanon, and trampled the thorn bush.
2 Kings 18:23-24
"Now therefore, come, make a bargain with my masterthe king of Assyria,
and I will give you two thousand horses, if you are able on your part to set

riders on them. "How then can you repulse one officialof the leastof my
master's servants, and rely on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen?
Nehemiah 4:1-3
Now it came about that when Sanballatheard that we were rebuilding the
wall, he became furious and very angry and mockedthe Jews. He spoke in the
presence ofhis brothers and the wealthy men of Samaria and said, "Whatare
these feeble Jews doing? Are they going to restore it for themselves? Canthey
offer sacrifices?Canthey finish in a day? Can they revive the stones from the
dusty rubble even the burned ones?" Now Tobiahthe Ammonite was near
him and he said, "Even what they are building--if a fox should jump on it, he
would break their stone wall down!"
Job 38:19-21
"Where is the wayto the dwelling of light? And darkness, where is its place,
That you may take it to its territory And that you may discern the paths to its
home? "You know, for you were born then, And the number of your days is
great!
Matthew 27:28-29
They stripped Him and put a scarletrobe on Him. And after twisting together
a crownof thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand; and
they knelt down before Him and mockedHim, saying, "Hail, King of the
Jews!"
Luke 23:35-39
And the people stoodby, looking on. And even the rulers were sneering at
Him, saying, "He savedothers; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of

God, His ChosenOne." The soldiers also mockedHim, coming up to Him,
offering Him sour wine, and saying, "If You are the King of the Jews, save
Yourself!"read more.
John 19:1-3
Pilate then took Jesus and scourgedHim. And the soldiers twistedtogethera
crownof thorns and put it on His head, and put a purple robe on Him; and
they beganto come up to Him and say, "Hail, King of the Jews!" and to give
Him slaps in the face.
John 19:19
Verse Concepts
Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It was written,
"JESUS THE NAZARENE, THE KING OF THE JEWS."
https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Sarcasm
NONE DARE CALL IT SARCASM
WHY ALL THE SARCASM AND ANGER, RAY?
One of my avid readers saw an email I answeredwhereinI suggestedthat
maybe I might tone down my sarcasmjust a smidgen. She protested, stating
that my style is what kept her interested in studying God’s Word.
Maybe an explanation of why I write the way I do, is in order.
I have receivedmore than a few emails from my detractors criticizing the fact
that I sometimes sound angry in my writings, speak with an edge in my voice,
and also use sarcasm. None ofthese are rehearsedor planned. I write as the
Spirit moves me. But some feelthat this is unacceptable. Theystate that I am

not being Christ-like, and that Jesus would not approve of the tone of my
writing. That this alone should be proof enoughfor anyone that I am not a
man of God, and my papers are not of God. They further suggest Jesus would
NEVER, EVER speak with such a cutting tone of voice as I sometimes use.
Oh Really?
It makes me wonder if they have ever read the gospelaccounts ofthe life and
teaching of Jesus Christ. Mostof the world would be HIGHLY OFFENDED if
Jesus were to speak to our religious leaders and governmental leaders in the
same way He did two thousand years ago. But I am but a novice at sarcasm;
Jesus was a Master.
I fully realize that my papers grind on the spirits of those who oppose God’s
Word. And well they should. When I quote the Scriptures, I quote them with
authority, because the Scriptures ARE authority:
"ForHe [Jesus]taught them as one having AUTHORITY and not as the
scribes" (Matt. 7:29).
Jesus gotHis authority from His Father, and He used it. In fact, the very
words He spoke were the words of His Father, and not His own (John 17:8),
hence the Fathertoo uses sarcasmand angerin teaching.
Our God and Lord have more personality than most have ever imagined.
What a broad range of colorful metaphors, parables, and colloquialisms they
used. Add to these sarcasm, exaggeration, satire, irony, and true anger, and
we have powerful, powerful persuasive language.
JESUS TALKED NATURALLY
Jesus did not go around speaking as if He were a performer on a
ShakespeareanStage.Jesusdid NOT speak in archaic King James English!
Jesus neversaid:
"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wastyoung, thou girdest thyself,
and walkedstwhither thou wouldest:but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt
stretch forth thy hands and anothershall gird thee and carry thee whither
thou wouldestnot" (John 21:18).

No, that is NOT what He said. That is what He said according to 1611 archaic
English which now sounds strange and affectedto our ears. According to our
21stCentury English He said something like this:
"The truth is when you were young, you were able to do as you liked and go
whereveryou wanted to; but when you are old, you will stretch out your
hands and others will direct you and take you where you don’t want to go."
Jesus spoke the language of the people; the language ofthe day. He was
natural, He was colloquial, He was precise, He was articulate, He was
emotional, He was sincere. Jesusspoke EXACTLYAND PRECISELYas He
was inside, because it is a Scriptural truth that, "…out of the abundance of
the heart the mouth speaks"(Matt. 12:34b).
Here are few Scriptures that should give us a clearerpicture of the heart of
Jesus:
"I must be about my Father’s business… I must preachthe Kingdom of God,
for therefore am I sent… God anointed Jesus ofNazareth with the Holy Spirit
and with power:Who went about doing good, and healing… Follow Me and I
will make you fishers of men… Why call Me good? There is none goodbut
One, that is, God…
Rejoice and be exceeding glad:for greatis your reward in heaven… You are
the light of the world... Love your enemies… I will come and heal him… the
Son of Man has not where to lay His head… Daughter, be of goodcomfort…
Son, be of goodcheer; your sins be forgiven you… I am the Way, the Truth,
and the Life…
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness…Peace Ileave
with you… love ye one another, as I have loved you… Neitherdo I condemn
you…He departed again into a mountain Himself alone, to pray… Be not
afraid, only believe… You are My friends… You shall love the Lord your God
with all your heart, soul, and mind, and you shall love your neighbor as
yourself…
For the Father Himself loves you… In that hour Jesus rejoicedin spirit… I
have spokenopenly to the world… Now there was leaning on Jesus’bosom

one of His disciple, whom Jesus loved… I have compassiononthe multitude…
Jesus wept…
Let the little children come to me… Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are
heavy laden, and I will give you rest…
With desire I have desired to eat this Passoverwith you… he poured water
into a basin, and began to washthe disciples’feet, and to wipe them with the
towel… O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often would I have gatheredyour
children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings… And
when they [and Jesus]had sung an hymn… Father, if thou be willing, remove
this cup from Me:nevertheless not My will, but Thine, be done…
And being in agony He prayed more earnestly: and His sweatwas as it were
greatdrops of blood falling down to the ground… Father, forgive them; for
they know not what they do… IT IS FINISHED… they saw a fire of coals
there, and fish laid thereon, and bread, Jesus said to them, COME AND DINE
[with ME]…"
Jesus identified with our humanity when He said: "Simon, Simon… Martha,
Martha…" Jesus was profoundly human. He was, afterall, the humble
servant as the Sonof man. But He was also the wise and powerful Sonof God.
Jesus spoke gentlywith the meek, but His speechEXPLODED with the
wicked.
Jesus came to expose evil and hypocrisy like no one had ever done before. His
voice was the "voice of a trumpet." God told Isaiahto:
"Cry ALOUD, SPARE NOT, lift up your voice like a TRUMPET, and show
my people their transgression, andthe house of Jacobtheir sins" (Isa. 58:1).
As a servant of God I cannot expose the evil and hypocrisy in the Church and
in this world with a song in my heart, a smile on my face, and a chuckle in my
voice!Sorry, but that won’t get the job done.
There is a time for humor and there is a time to getserious. Sarcasmcanbe
serious business. I do not use it to elicit laughs. I am not na�ve of the fact that
most people do not want to hear the Truth. Well did Isaiah prophesy of those:

"Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesynot unto us
right things, speak unto us SMOOTHthing, prophesy DECEITS"(Isa.
30:10).
I would rather sound a little angry or sarcasticthan to teach smoothand
deceitful things. Gee, even Isaiahused colorful language, "speakunto us
smooth things." Could this be the origin of "smoothtalkers?"
The purpose of this paper is not solelyto defend my style of writing, (God only
knows that I do not profess to be a scholar, nor a polished orator, nor a man
of eloquent words), but to rather see by Whose authority I do this. We will
examine whether Jesus Christ Himself did not indeed use sarcasm,
exaggeration, caricature, satire, irony, and angerto get across His Gospel
Message.
I am now sure why it is automatically assumedthat if one sounds angry there
is something wrong with his message. Whenspeaking ofimmoral and evil
things that hurt and deceive people, it behooves us to be ANGRY about such
things. Anger does not have to be a sin. God’s anger is mentioned a couple of
hundreds times in Scripture. Many of the teachings of the Church are not
only evil, but they are stupid and foolish. Sarcasmis a perfect exposerof
stupidity.
I have two favorite Scriptural sarcasm's thatI find to be sheergenius. One in
the Old Testamentand one in the new. I will now give you the one in the old,
(I Kings 18:21-39). Elijahtold the people that they should choose two bullocks
and place them on two altars of wood. He then said:
"And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will callon the name of the
Lord: and the God that answers by fire, let him be God"
They all agreed, and so the priests of Baalwent first:
"And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressedit, and
calledon the name of Baalfrom morning even until noon, saying, O BAAL,
hear us. But there was NO voice, nor any that answered. And they LEAPED
upon the altar which was made.

And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mockedthem, and said, Cry ALOUD:
for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is on a journey, or
PERADVENTURE HE SLEEPS, and must be wakened.
I think we should read this verse from The Living Bible:
"About noontime, Elijah began mocking them. ‘You’ll have to shout louder
than that,’ he scoffed, ‘to catchthe attention of your god! Perhaps he is
talking to someone, oris out sitting on the toilet, or maybe he is away on a
trip, or is asleepand needs to be wakened.’"
And the priests of Baal, being as stupid as stupid canbe, followed Elijah’s
mocking sarcasm:And they CRIED ALOUD… here was neither voice, nor
any to answer, nor any that regarded. Rememberthat God Himself inspired
Elijah to mock the priests of Baalwith these jeering and demeaning epithets.
He went so far as to suggestthatmaybe their god was "sitting on the toilet" or
so exhausted he "fell asleep." And they were too stupid to even know that
Elijah was making public spectaclesand fools out of them.
But let’s not ever loose sightof the fact that although God used these priests of
Baalas vessels ofdishonor, He nonetheless, loves them, died for them, and will
ultimately save them all! Remember also:
"Now ALL these things happened unto them for examples: and they were
written for OUR admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come" (I
Cor. 10:11).
TO WHOM CHRIST WAS COMMISSIONED
Let’s realize a few axioms before we examine Christ’s actualwords. Jesus
taught the people of Israel, the Jews, the people around Galilee and
Jerusalem. Theywere all religious people. They all followedthe law of Moses.
Jesus’moststinging words were to the religious leaders and rulers of
Judaism. On the very few occasionswhere Jesus evenspoke to a non-Jew, He
expressedthe greatestadmiration for their faith, rather than condemnation
for being Gentiles. After all, how much faith did Jesus find among His Own
people?

It is essentialwe keepin mind just who it was that Jesus preachedto. Jesus
did NOT berate the atheists or paganRomans in Judea for their sins, but
rather "The lostsheep of the House of Israel." The Jews. The commandment-
keeping people of Judah.
If Jesus were to come to American today and preachHis GospelMessage,
little would have changed exceptfor one prophesied difference. Everything
has gotteneven worse than it was in His day:
"But evil men and seducers shall waxworse and worse, deceiving, andbeing
deceived" (II Tim. 3:13).
First let us notice a most profound statementthat explains a greatdeal about
the manner of our Lord’s teaching and preaching:
HOW JESUS ‘UPBRAIDED’THE CITIES
"Then beganHe [Jesus]to UPBRAID [Greek:oneidizo] the cities wherein
most of His mighty words were done, because they repented not" (Matt.
11:20).
"Blessedare ye, when men shall REVILE [Greek:oneidizo] you, and
persecute you, and shall sayall manner of evil againstyou FALSELY, for my
sake" (Matt. 5:11).
Notice please, thatJesus "upbraided" the cities TRUTHFULLY, while He
said men would "revile" His true followers, FALSELY. The same Greek word
is used to describe both. No matter how stern or cutting our Lord’s words
might have been, they always were TRUTHFUL! As for any sarcasmand
angerthat Jesus exhibited, your argument must be with Him and not me.
Clearly, oneidizo is not a pleasantword; not when Jesus usedit and not when
persecutors usedit. The difference is that Jesus spoke the TRUTH when He
used this word, but the persecutors speakFALSELY when they use it.
What does it mean when it says that Jesus beganto "upbraid" the cities
where He taught?

I will consultStrong’s Dictionaryof the New Testamentto help us define this
word, because if I were to define it myself and tell you what it means, NO
ONE WOULD BELIEVE ME! Oneidizo is a POWERFULword of rebuke
and condemnation.
Here is the definition:
Strong’s Greek Dictionary, "#3679, oneidizo, from #3681 [notoriety, that is a
taunt (disgrace):--a reproach]to defame, i.e. rail at, chide, taunt:--upbraid,
reproach, revile, castin (one’s)teeth" (page 179)"
Notoriety: notorious, ill fame, infamous
Taunt: reproach, mocking, insulting, contemptuous, scornful, tirade
Disgrace:loss of honor, shame, disapproval, disfavor, discredit
Reproach:disapproval, criticism, disappointment, shame, disgrace, blame,
rebuke
Defame:to attack or damage the characterorreputation of
Rail: to express objections or criticism in bitter, harsh, or abusive language
Chide: scold, correct, improve, reprimand, disapproval, strife, contention
That should settle any questions as to what "upbraid" means. Let me be quick
to add (I can see the emails flowing in by the hundreds…), that not every
word used to define the words that define oneidizo are always 100%
applicable when a word such as "upbraid" is used to translate that Greek
word. So all of you who were getting ready to write me or inform the chat
rooms that, "RaySmith says that Jesus was ‘disgraceful,’used‘abusive
language,’and went into ‘tirades’ during His ministry," hold off a little and
continue reading.
It is possible to condemn the sinful actions and teachings of men without
hating the men who commit these things. Jesus lovedeveryone. Jesus died for
everyone. Jesus forgave everyone. Jesusforgave those who crucified Him
before He expired. As I have said many times, exceptfor the grace of God,
anyone of us could have been any of the world’s most evil people. We are

savedin God’s grace, notby our clevernessin choosing to follow and obey
God. Grace CAUSES us to obey God. Carnality CAUSES men to disobey
God. It is that simple. And so we expose, exhort, teach, challenge, forgive, and
LOVE. That these can take the form of sarcasm, exaggeration, satire, irony,
anger, and LOVE, are clearlydemonstrated by the examples of our Lord.
Now then, let’s see some examples of "upbraiding" used by our Lord in
preaching the Gospelof the Kingdom of God:
After the high priest askedJesus aboutHis disciples and teachings, Jesus said:
"‘Why are you asking Me this question? Ask those who heard me. You have
some of them here. They know what I said.’One of the soldiers standing there
struck Jesus WITHHIS FIST. ‘Is THAT THE WAY to answerthe High
Priest?’he demanded" (John 18:21-22, The Living Bible).
One of the guards felt that Jesus was contemptuous and out of line. The guard
slapped Jesus in the mouth with the palm of his hand and told Him to
WATCH HIS MOUTH when speaking to the High Priest!The guard was
letting Jesus know in no uncertain terms, that one does not speak to such a
dignified person as the High Priestwith such a demeaning tone of voice!What
would you think if someone were to address the Pope with this same tone of
voice as Jesus used on the High Priest? Would you too think that someone
ought to slaphis face for talking that way to the Pope? Well? Was our Lord
too smart for His britches? Was His language and tone of voice to be
condemned by a punch in the mouth?
Jesus TOLD THE TRUTH. Jesus calleda spade a spade. And many people
thought He was a contemptuous smart aleck!HE WAS NOT!It was the Truth
of His words that cut them; not the tone of His words. However, the tone of
His voice and the selectionofwords and analogiesthat He used were not only
highly offensive to those whom He spoke, but are likewise offensive to people
hearing this same approachused today by God’s servants.
LET THE DEAD BURY THEIR DEAD

"And another of His disciples said unto Him, Lord, allow me first to go and
bury my father. But Jesus said unto him, Follow Me, and LET THE DEAD
BURY THEIR DEAD" (Matt. 8:21-22).
Do you think maybe that particular disciple was offended by his Master’s
words? Jesus was saying that those preparing this funeral and burial were AS
DEAD as the corpse they were about bury! Jesus askedthis disciple to "follow
Me" and let DEAD people take care of DEAD matters. After all, this was the
disciple’s OWN FATHER!Are we not to "HONOR our father and mother?"
Of course we are, but when Jesus asksus to follow Him, then our allegiance to
our parents, children, or loved ones take secondplace to that command. We
must be willing to FORSAKE ALL to follow Jesus!Jesus was leading this
disciple to things of LIFE, while he would soonerattend to things of DEATH.
One cannotserve two masters.
FASTING HYPOCRITES
"Moreoverwhenyou fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance
[‘don’t look like those miserable play-actors’Phillips Translation]:for they
disfigure their faces, that they may appearunto men to fast" (Matt. 6:16).
Jesus couldhave just told them how to fast properly. But no, He first told
them how NOT to fast, by exposing the hypocrisy of the religious leaders of
the day. Jesus was a Masterof sarcasmand satire. Jesus calledthem
"hypocrites" and said their religion was as FAKE AS THEY WERE!But it
was the TRUTH of His infallible statements that really cut them. After all, the
Word of God is like a SHARP two-edgedsword. It CUTS to the marrow of
the bond. They were, as many still ARE, fakers and "play-actors"as Phillips
Translates it.
CAST OUT THE LOG FROM YOUR EYE
"Or how will you say to your brother, Let me pull out the mote out of your
eye; and, behold, a BEAM [a PLANK, a LOG] is in your own eye?" (Matt.
7:4).
What? Talk about exaggeration!Jesus didn’t suggestthat first brother had a
toothpick in his eyes hindering him from helping his brother to retrieve a

small mote, but rather a log, a beam, a timber. A log is a billion times larger
than a mote, which is a tiny speck. Don’ttry and take a speck ofdirt out of
your brother’s eye when you have a GIANT REDWOODTREE growing out
of your own eye! But who is so na�ve as to not immediately comprehend the
profound meaning and simple truth of this parable? It is Christ’s GROSS
EXAGGERATION that makes this parable so profoundly clear and truthful.
This parable cannotbe literally true, howeverit is absolutelyspiritually true.
People who often try to remove a characterflaw from a friend or associate,
have themselves, GIANT characterflaws far more weightythan those they try
to correctin others.
DISCIPLES ARE CALLED ‘EVIL’
"Or what man is there of you, whom if his sonask bread, will he give him a
stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent [snake]? If ye [Gk: all of
you] then, BEING EVIL, know how to give goodgifts unto your children…"
(Matt. 7:9-10).
Remember that it was Christ’s "disciples" that He was teaching here on the
mount (Matt. 5:1). Jesus calledHis Own disciples "EVIL"! Would you have
been offended if Christ had calledyou, "evil"?
PEACE OR SWORD?
"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace,
BUT A SWORD" (Matt. 10:34).
Anyone offended by this statement of our Lord? Isn’t our Lord "The Prince
of Peace?" Ofcourse, few there be that understand this parable. Jesus did not
come to bring ARMIES OF ARMED MEN to do battle on this earth. He came
with "A SWORD"!His WORD is the "sword."
"ForTHE WORD OF GOD is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any
TWO-EDGEDSWORD,piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and
spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and a discernerof the thoughts and
intents of the heart" (Heb. 4:12).

Well, who then is the enemy of God’s Word that we do battle againstwith this
spiritual sword?
"And a man’s foes [Gk: ‘enemies’]shall be they of his own household" (Matt.
10:36).
Which ‘household’ includes the church itself (Eph. 2:19).
CHRIST DEMANDS MORE THAN EQUAL LOVE
"He that loves father or mother more than Me is NOT WORTHY of Me: and
he that loves son or daughter more than Me is NOT WORTHYof Me" (Matt.
10:37).
Anyone offended by that Statement of our Lord? Do you think it was wrong
of our Lord to suggestthat we must love Him MORE than our own parents
and children?
JESUS CALLS THE JEWS, WOLVES
"Behold, I send you forth as sheepin the midst of WOLVES…" (Matt. 10:16).
Jesus calledthe citizens of Jerusalemand Judea "wolves."Doesthat offend
anyone?
GOD DOESN’T CHOOSE PANSIESTO DO HIS WORK
"And as they departed, Jesus beganto say unto the multitudes concerning
John, ‘What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reedshakenwith the
wind? But what went you out for to see? A man clothed in SOFT RAIMENT
[‘a man dressedin SILKS AND SATINS?’—Williams Translation]behold,
they that wearsoft clothing [‘Behold they which are GORGEOUSLY
APPARELED {DRESSED}, and live DELICATELY {in LUXURY}, Luke
7:25], are in kings’houses"(Matt. 11:7-8).
Is this not a taunting, sarcastic remark? He askedthem what spectaclethey
expectedto see out there in the wilderness—a blade of grass swaying in the
wind? Some patsy that would be blown awayby the softestsummer breeze?
Jesus was asking these religious sophisticateswhetherthey thought a real man
of God would look like some, prim and prissy, prudish, punctilious, polished,

patrician of the kings court? Is THAT what kind of a man you went out to
see? Someonewho would never deign to gets his fingernails dirty?
The religious leaders WERE OFFENDEDby the rough presence of John the
Baptist. But what is the Truth? What kind of a man was this John the
Baptizer who was
"…clothedwith camel’s hair, and with girdle of a skin about his loins; and he
did eatlocusts and wild honey" (Mark 1:6)?
Here’s the Truth:
"ForI say unto you, Among those that are born of womenthere is not a
greaterprophet than John the Baptist…" (Luke 7:28).
WAS CHRIST A COMMON CRIMINAL?
The Chief Priest, scribes and elders sent
"a great multitude with swords and clubs" "And Jesus answeredand said
unto them, Are ye come out, as againsta thief [robber], with swords and with
staves [clubs] to take me?" (Mark 14:43 & 48).
Why did Jesus have to say ANYTHING? Why this smart, sarcastic remark?
BecauseHe wanted them to see the TRUTH of their ways. They KNEW Jesus
was not a man of violence. TheyKNEW He never harmed anyone. They
KNEW he never resistedevil, and taught His disciples to "turn the other
cheek." Withall that in mind, Jesus asksthem if they think they have enough
manpower, armaments, and weapons to apprehend Him, as though He were a
common criminal that might try to escape oroverpowerthem. Jesus was a
Masterof Sarcasm!He was "in their face"!
LOVE NOT THE WORLD
"Beware ofthe teachers ofreligion! For they love to wearthe robes of the rich
and scholarly, and to have everyone bow to them as they walk through the
markets. They love to sit in the best seats in the synagogues, andat the places
of honor at banquets—But they shamelesslycheatwidows out of their homes
and then, to coverup the kind of men they really are, they pretend to be pious

by praying long prayers in public. Becauseofthis, their punishment will be
the greater" (Mark 12:38-40,The Living Bible).
Jesus is telling us of self-appointed pastors who fraudulently stealwidow’s
welfare checks so thatthey can live in the lap of luxury and ease. Jesus calls
them "pretenders" (fakes, imposters). Has anyone noticedthat the elitists of
Christianity also love the chief seats in church, at banquets, and loved to be
calledby their holy titles (Reverend, Your Holiness, Right Reverend, Most
Reverend, Father, Holy Father, Rabbi, etc., etc.)
Do those who covetbeing calledby these titles really LOVE God, Who says:
"…HOLY and REVEREND is HIS [GOD’S]NAME [not man’s name]"
(Psalm 111:9b)
"But be not you calledRabbi… And call no man your father… neither be you
calledmasters [Lord]: for One is your Master, evenChrist" (Matt. 23:8-10).
And let’s not forget man’s listing of academic degreesand achievements.
The Scribes and the Pharisee askedJesus whyHis disciple TRANSGRESSED
the tradition of the elders? Jesus threw the question right back into their
faces:
"But He answeredand said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the
commandments of God by YOUR tradition?… You HYPOCRITES…"(Matt.
15:3 & 7).
THEY PROFESS—BUT THEYLIE
Why did Jesus speak withsuch "in your facedsarcasm?"Becausethe people
that Jesus was correcting were "hypocrites." Maybe a definition of hypocrisy
is in order here:
"hypocrisy n. 1. The practice of professing beliefs, feelings, or virtues that one
does not hold or possess;falseness" (The American heritage College
Dictionary p. 683). (Underlined emphasis is mine).
They "professed" to be true, what in their own lives WAS FALSE! What does
Paul tell us about those who "profess," but are hypocrites?

"TheyPROFESSthat they know God; but in works they deny Him, being
ABOMINABLE, and DISOBEDIENT,and unto every goodwork
REPROBATE" (Titus 1:16).
ABOMINABLE, DISOBEDIENT,REPROBATE!Are these words strong
enough to make Paul’s point? Many many pastors of the church profess that
they LOVE GOD; they profess that they LOVE THEIR NEIGHBORS;then
even profess that they LOVE THEIR ENEMIES, but in works they deny
Him:
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man
LOVE THE WORLD, THE LOVE OF THE FATHER IS NOT IN HIM" (I
John 2:15).
Yet WHO "loves the world" more than the tens of thousands of money-
hungry, vanity-filled, power-crazed, lovers of worldliness and worldly
pleasures who call themselves "pastors?"Do they "love their neighbors"
when they fraudulently and unscripturally extort widows’welfare checks to
sustain their uncontrollable lusts for materialism?
TODAY’S RECRUITS ARE TOMORROW’S HERETICS
"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!For you compass SEA
AND LAND to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him
twofold more the child of hell [hades—the grave]than yourselves" (Matt. 23:1
Sarcasm!Jesus saidthat they would scourthe whole planet for just one
convert that would then continue their heresy with TWICE the vigor of their
teachers.
MAN’S GREATER SIN IS TRYING TO BE HOLY
"You blind guides, which strain out a gnat and SWALLOW A CAMEL"
(Matt. 23:24).
Exaggeratedsarcasm!One cannot literally "swallow a camel." But
SPIRITUALLY, this is exactly what they were doing. The itsy-bitsy, teensy-
weensy, flaws of their spiritual lives that they attempted to clean up in their

lives, versus the GIGANTIC spiritual character flaws that they did
NOTHING to change, were truly comparable to a "gnatversus a camel."
DON’T WASTE GOD’S WORD ON SPIRITUAL PIGS
Remember that Jesus only taught in parables. Did Jesus say:"Don’t bother
teaching the truth to those who don’t want to hear it?" That would have been
clearenough: "Don’t try to teachthe truth to those who do not desire the
truth." Simple. Oh, No, Jesus would never say it like that. Here is how Jesus
would say that same thing:
"Give not that which is holy unto THE DOGS, neither castyour pearls
BEFORE SWINE,lestthey trample them under their feet, and turn againand
REND you [‘…TEAR YOU IN PIECES’GoodspeedTranslation]" (Matt.
7:6).
I have had this happen to me many times by clergymen of the Church. I give
them God’s Pure Word, they spiritually "trample it under their feet" and
then spiritually try to "tear me in pieces." Atheists and heathens have never
treated me this way—only professing Christians. I do not getmany emails
from atheists, but I do getsome, and all but one were polite and considerate in
their comments. Now I am well aware ofthe fact that missionaries have been
virtually torn to peaches by heathens, but thankfully this is not the norm.
JESUS USED SARCASM ON SATAN
Jesus on once told Satan to: "Getthee BEHIND ME, Satan" (Mark 8:33).
Why, "behind" Him? Because it was offensive to Jesus to have Satan in
FRONT ofHim. Satanhas no business IN FRONT ofJesus. Jesustold Satan
to: Get out of my FACE, Satan!
JESUS WAS NOT COMMISSIONED TO BLESS THE DOGS
Everyone in ancientJudea knew that the Jews likenedthe Gentiles to "dogs."
When a woman of CanaanaskedJesus forhelp, Jesus saidto her in Matt.
15:26-28):
"It is not meet to take the children’s bread and to castit to DOGS."

Actually the Greek here is "puppies" (very young dogs), but nonetheless,
"dogs." Wouldn’t most considerit a little sarcastic to calla woman asking for
help, "a dog?"
This woman was pretty sharp. Not to be outdone, she answeredJesusback
with a little of her own sarcasm:
"And she said, Truth, Lord; YET the dogs eat of the crumbs [she wasn’t
asking a steak dinner for eight] which fall from their masters’table!"
Then Jesus, Who always played fair and was a goodsport, saidback to her:
"TOUCH�!"
Okay, maybe Jesus didn’t actually say the word "touch�," but that is exactly
what He meant. Tell you what: I’ll put it in italics so everyone knows that I
added this word to make the meaning more colloquialand understandable:
"TOUCH�, O woman [Paraphrased:‘You got Me that time, woman’],
GREAT IS YOUR FAITH: BE IT UNTO YOU EVEN AS YOU WILL"!
TRILLIONS OF GALLONS OF WATER TO DROWN ONE MAN
"But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in Me, it were
better for Him that a MILLSTONE were hangedabout his neck and that he
were DROWNED IN THE DEPTHOF THE SEA" (Matt. 18:6).
That’s a little "overkill," wouldn’t you think? Like killing a mosquito with a
baseballbat? Jesus couldhave said it would have been better if he "died" or
were "drowned." Why a millstone and drowned in the depth of the sea? A
person canbe drowned by holding his face in a small bucket of water.
Jesus usedPOWERFUL, EXAGGERATED,SARCASM to show His UTTER
CONTEMPT forsuch wickedsins as these!
WHEN LIGHT IS DARKNESS
"The light of the body is the eye: if therefore, your eye be single, your whole
body shall be full of light. But if your eye be evil, your whole body shall be full
of darkness. If therefore the LIGHT that be in you is DARKNESS, how great
is that darkness!" (Matt. 6:22-23).

What? If the LIGHT that be in you is DARKNESS? Isn’tthat a little
demeaning and sarcastic to say that even our own goodness is evil (dark)?
This is not only an exaggeration;this is a physiologicalIMPOSSIBILITY!
Yes, a "physiological" impossibility, but NOT A SPIRITUAL impossibility!
Jesus is saying that even the supposed "goodness"(light) in us, is actually
"evil." (darkness). How can that be? Because, "…None is good, save One, that
is , GOD" (Luke 18:18).
AN ANGRY CHRIST IN A DEN OF THIEVES
Did JESUS everget angry over crime and corruption within the church?
"And they came to Jerusalem:and Jesus wentinto the temple, and beganto
CAST OUT them that soldand bought in the temple, and OVERTURNED the
table of the money-changers, and the SEATS of them that sold doves: And
would NOT ALLOW that any man should carry any wares through the
temple" (Matt. 11:15-16).
Now then, were any of these activities being performed in the Temple,
ILLEGAL? No, they were not. The officers of the Temple allowedit according
to their laws, and the Roman Government allowedit according to their laws.
So these merchants in the Temple were not criminals. Or were they?
Jesus saidthey were CRIMINALS! But woe unto me if I should suggestthat
this same buying and selling in the Churches today is criminal. It IS criminal,
I assure you. And they do FAR WORSE!They not only sell trinkets and
religious junk in the Church, they MAKE MERCHANDISE OF THE VERY
WORD OF GOD ITSELF. THEY SELL THE WORD OF GOD FOR
PROFITS!Here is what Christ saidconcerning their activities of buying and
selling in the Temple:
"And He taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called
of all nations the House of Prayer? But you have made it a DEN OF
THIEVES" (Mark 11:17)!
Does anyone believe that Jesus was SMILING while He turned over their
tables and call them a "DEN OF THIEVES"?

ANSWERING A FOOL ACCORDING TO A FOOL
The proverb tells us to "Answera fool according to a fool." Jesus was a
Masterat doing this. The Chief Priestand Elders of the temple askedJesus by
what authority He did the things that He did. Here then is my favorite New
Testamentsarcasmby Jesus:
"And Jesus answeredand said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which
IF you tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.
The baptism of John, whence was it? From heaven, or of men? And they
reasonedwith themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; He will say
unto us, Why did you not then believe him? But if we shall say, Of men; we
fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet. And they answeredJesus,and
said, we cannot tell.
And He said unto them, NEITHER TELL I YOU by what authority I do these
things" (Matt. 21:24-27)!
Sarcasm? Maybe. But SHEER GENIUS!
JESUS, WHY DO YOU SOUND SO SARCASTIC AND ANGRY?
"But WOE [Deep DISTRESS, MISERY, GRIEF,MISFORTUNE,
CALAMITY, SORROW, DISMAY]unto you, scribes and Pharisees,
HYPOCRITES… FOR YOU SHUT UP THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
AGAINST MEN…
WOE unto you, scribes and Pharisees, HYPOCRITES…you DEVOUR
WIDOW’S HOUSES…
WOE unto you, scribes and Pharisees, HYPOCRITES…
WOE unto you, ye BLIND GUIDES…
You FOOLS AND BLIND…
You FOOLS AND BLIND…
WOE unto you, scribes and Pharisees, HYPOCRITES!You… have omitted…
JUDGMENT, MERCY, and FAITH…

You BLIND GUIDES…
WOE unto you, scribes and Pharisees, HYPOCRITES…
You BLIND PHARISEES…
Woe UNTO YOU, SCRIBES AND Pharisees, HYPOCRITES!You are FULL
OF HYPOCRISYAND INIQUITY…
WOE unto you, scribes and Pharisees, HYPOCRITES!… you are the children
of them which KILLED the prophets. Fill YOU up then the measure of your
fathers.
You SERPENTS, youGENERATION OF SNAKES… you KILL AND
CRUCIFY… you SCOURGE in your synagogues…Beholdyour house is left
unto you DESOLATE"!!! (Selections from Matt. 23).
Let me borrow a few statements from my detractors emails to me, if I may.
"Why do I feelso much angerin your teachings Ray?
"I find it difficult to concentrate on the subject matter for all the sarcasmand
innuendoes that are scatteredthroughout your teachings Ray"
"Enjoy reading your stuff Ray, but feelthere is somebodywho upset you
along the way and that you need to forgive them…SOON…"
And this one just came in minutes before press time: "Wow, what venom!
…please use more caution, discretion, and wisdom, and less personalrancor
in your writings and/or teachings." Foryour information, rancormeans:
"Bitter long-lasting resentment; deep-seatedill will, rancid smell, to stink, be
rotten." I would saythat is pretty close to slander. However, Notto worry—
"sticks andstones…"
"Oh Ray, oh Ray, you sound so… so, angry." Maybe it is about time some of
you startedto feela little anger towardall the spiritual swill and filth that is
merchandized and peddled to the world in the name of Christianity! And for
those few who are teaching the true Gospelof Jesus Christ, GOD BLESS
YOU ONE AND ALL!

If I tried to write and speak like all the intellectuals of this world, it wouldn’t
be me. And if Jesus removedall the sarcasm's,exaggerations andwhat Mr.
Spock calls, ‘colorfulmetaphors,’ it wouldn’t be Jesus either.
I may use sarcasm, and at times get angry, but I tell you in all truthfulness: I
am in DEAD EARNEST about what I teachand why I teach it. My papers are
not perfectby any means, but THEY ARE SCRIPTURALLY SOUND!When
I am proven wrong on a point of Scripture or doctrine, I correctit.
And so if you wish to continue reading my papers, you will have to expect
more of the same. With regards to curtailing my sarcasm:As I told my
reader: "Notto worry: Can a leopardchange his spots?"
https://bible-truths.com/sarcasm.htm
The closestin tone to sarcasm, though somewhatdifferent, that I am aware of
is John 1:45-46
Philip found Nathanaeland said to him, "We have found Him of whom Moses
in the law, and also the prophets, wrote -- Jesus ofNazareth, the sonof
Joseph."
And Nathanielsaid to him, "Cananything good come out of Nazareth?"
But that is not really sarcasm. Are there any examples?
closedas too broad by Nathaniel, curiousdannii, Mr. Bultitude, bruised reed,
Matt Gutting Dec 19 '16 at 15:48
Please editthe question to limit it to a specific problem with enough detail to
identify an adequate answer. Avoid asking multiple distinct questions at once.
See the How to Ask page for help clarifying this question.
If this question can be rewordedto fit the rules in the help center, please edit
the question.
1

Relatedquestion at christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/16830/…
because I can't post here; apparently 101 < 10 in rep arithmetic. – user4798
Jun 18 '13 at 8:40
Im really dissapointedthat there will be no more informative answers to this
question. – Neil MeyerNov 14 '18 at 14:17
@NeilMeyerWell, they sayit's too broad. Maybe if you can think of a way to
edit it to make it narrower they'd reopen it. I couldn't think of a way, though.
– OwenNov 14 '18 at 22:49
The first instance of sarcasmthat jumps into my mind is 1 Kings 18:27, where
Elijah is taunting the prophets of Baalbecause their sacrifice is not burning
up (they were having a sort of contest). The NET renders the verse:
"At noon Elijah mockedthem, 'Yell louder! After all, he is a god; he may be
deep in thought, or perhaps he steppedout for a moment or has takena trip.
Perhaps he is sleeping and needs to be awakened.'"
Some have even speculatedthat the Hebrew term here translated "deepin
thought" may mean "relieving himself," or that the term translated"stepped
out for a moment" implies stepping out in order to relieve oneself. I have not
found any scholarlysupport for this other than a former Hebrew professorof
mine mentioning it, but either way, Elijah is being sarcastic aboutBaal.
Almost the entire book of Amos is satirical, dealing with the socialinjustices
committed by God's people in the northern kingdom of Israel. Jobcan also be
fairly sarcastic in the midst of his suffering, often crossing into cynicism.
Those are a few examples that come to mind.
All the answers here are good, but this is the most intensely sarcastic.
Beautiful. – OwenFeb 21 '12 at 18:19

add a comment
23
In my opinion, Paul provides the best example. Here he is, in Galatians,
having just given his opinion on circumcision (not necessaryfor Christians),
then giving his opinion on those who insist on it for salvation:
As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole wayand emasculate
themselves!
Galatians 5:12
In other words, don't stop at the foreskin, get rid of it completelyto prove how
holy you really are. Genius.
I forgotabout this one. Excellent! – Dan Feb 22 '12 at 2:18
2
Hahahaha... I never knew Paul had sense ofhumor. – Phonics The Hedgehog
Apr 25 '12 at 1:42
In 1st Kings 22, Kings Ahab and Jehoshaphatwere being counseledby false
prophets to go to war againstSyria. Jehoshaphataskedthat Ahab send for a
prophet of the Lord, and he sent for Micaiah. The man who brought him told
him of the other prophecies, and suggestedthat he should say the same. When
Micaiahdid answerthe same way, Ahab admonished Micaiahto tell the truth,
and then did not like the answerhe got. I believe Micaiahansweredin an
obviously sarcastic way, orhow else would Ahab know he was not giving the
true prophecy? Again, just my opinion, but I have long held this view.

I agree with you. I have always loved this passage. I canalmost hear Micaiah,
mimicking the false prophets and going into a sing-songyvoice. – Nathan
DeWitt Feb 24 '12 at 16:10
1
1 Kings 22:15 in particular: "And when he had come to the king, the king said
to him, “Micaiah, shallwe go to Ramoth-gileadto battle, or shall we refrain?”
And he answeredhim, “Go up and triumph; the Lord will give it into the
hand of the king.”" (ESV) – JonEricson♦ Mar1 '12 at 18:42
add a comment
10
I have heard the following two examples of Jesus being sarcastic:
The SyrophoenicianWoman
[A] womanwhose daughter had an unclean spirit heard about [Jesus], and
came and fell down at his feet. The womanwas a Greek, by race a Phoenician
from Syria. And she started asking him to drive the demon out of her
daughter. He responded to her like this: "Let the children first be fed, since it
isn't goodto take bread out of children's mouths and throw it to the dogs!
[kynaria]" But as a rejoinder she says to him: "Sir, even the dogs under the
table get to eatscraps dropped by children!" Then he saidto her: "Forthat
retort, be on your way, the demon has come out of your daughter." She
returned home and found the child lying on the bed and the demon gone (Mk.
7:25-30).
In this instance, Jesus is calling her a dog, which seems out of characterfor
someone who taught love for all. It has been suggestedthat Jesus was being
sarcastic, melodramaticallyacting as a Pharisee would. If that hypothesis is
correct, then Jesus is sarcasticallycalling out the Phariseesontheir attitude.

Jesus is clearly amused by the woman's response, also witty in character, and
choosesto heal her daughter as a result.
The Pharisees straining out the gnats and eating the camel
You Blind guides! You strain your waterso you won't accidentallyswallow a
gnat, but you swallow a camel!
In Matthew 23:24, Jesus is being absurdist and humorous in his remark, but
is still making a fairly cutting remark. May not be sarcasm, but its close.
I also think John 4:17 was meant as humor and/or sarcasm. (This is the dialog
with the womanat the well where Jesus remarks on the guys she's been
shacking up with.) – ScottC Wilson Sep8 '12 at 15:38
add a comment
10
One case couldbe in 2 Corinthians 12:13. Paul is writing to the Corinthians
and mentions that he hasn't been a burden to them, presumably financially,
but has labored among them nonetheless.
For in what were you less favoredthan the rest of the churches, except that I
myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!2 Corinthians 12:13 ESV
The "Forgive me this wrong" definitely seems a bit sarcastic."Forgive me for
not being a burden to you."
Another one isn't really sarcasm, but it does strike me as a bit humorous. It's
from the gospelofJohn, which is held to have been written by John, and He
seems to refer to Himself as "the other disciple".
3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running,
but the other disciple outran Peterand reachedthe tomb first. 5 He bent over

and lookedin at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6 Then Simon
Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips
of linen lying there, 7 as wellas the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’
head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. 8 Finally the
other disciple, who had reachedthe tomb first, also wentinside. He saw and
believed. John 20:3-8 NIV
John seems to make sure we understand that he won the race to the tomb! :)
These are particularly interesting because it is the narrator who is being
sarcastic, and not a quote of dialogue. – OwenFeb 21 '12 at 18:19
I don't think forgive me this wrong is sarcasticbut I'm not downvoting –
user4060 Jun10 '13 at 2:47
add a comment
Michal despisedDavid for dancing at the return of the ark. She sarcastically
refers to his behavior as "glorious" in 2 Samuel6:20 (KJV):
Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul
came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israelto day,
who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as
one of the vain fellows shamelesslyuncoverethhimself!
Goodone, Jeremy! DonLarter – rhetorician Sep 11 '17 at 17:20
1
It's 2 Samuel6:20, not 16:20 – Andrew Oct 3 '18 at 15:21
add a comment

5
A bit of sarcasmfrom our Lord:
"And he saidto them: 'You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of
God in order to observe your owntraditions!'" (Mark 7:9 NIV).
This is perhaps more ironic than sarcastic, but it contains at leasta tinge of
sarcasm. Putdifferently,
"Hey, nice going, guys. You've just setaside God's word and replacedit with
your own traditions. Well done!"
That sort of thing.
If you close your eyes and think of images of Egypt, what do you see? I think
most people will think of pyramids at or near the top of the list. The point is,
Egypt is know for these, world wide. Everyone thinks of Egypt as a place with
really outstanding tombs. So when Moses ledthe people out of captivity, there
they are out in the desert. And they ask Moses... are there not enough tombs
in Egypt? You had to bring us out here to die? Too funny!!
That Egypt is wellknown for its tombs NOw doesn'tnecessarilyimply that it
was knownfor them THEN. But given the emphasis on funeral rite in ancient
Egypt, this remark might be close to truth. Anyway, welcome here! – Pavel
Dec 2 '12 at 21:10
add a comment
2

Gen 4:9
"And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother?" And he said, "I
know not: Am I my brother's keeper?"
The comedianDavid Steinberg pointed this out once on a TV show about
Jewishcomedy.
In modern vernacular it might sound more like "Whatam I, his keeper?"
Welcome to the site! As with all new visitors, when you geta chance, I'd
recommend reading the About and Help pages (and possibly this one:What
Christianity.StackExchange is (and more importantly, what it isn't) ).
Learning your way around here, especiallythe rules is sometimes confusing
for new visitors. But this is pretty goodfor a first answer!Again, welcome to
the site!– David Stratton Jun 9 '13 at 23:55
Matthew 11:7-8 Jesus beganto sayto the multitudes concerning John: What
went you out into the desertto see? a reed shakenwith the wind? But what
went you out to see? a man clothed in soft garments? Behold they that are
clothed in soft garments, are in the houses of kings.
Welcome to the site! As with all new visitors, when you geta chance, I'd
recommend reading the About and Help pages (and possibly this one:What
Christianity.StackExchange is (and more importantly, what it isn't) ).
Learning your way around here, especiallythe rules is sometimes confusing
for new visitors. But this is pretty goodfor a first answer!Again, welcome to
the site!– David Stratton Jun 9 '13 at 23:56
1
This answeris flat out wrong - πέτρα (petra) did not mean pebble in Kione
Greek, and in fact usually meant bedrock or a large rock. See this postfor
more information. – ThaddeusB Sep 1 '15 at 3:51

add a comment
1
The verse you cited immediately leads to an example. When Nathaniel, having
just said "nothing goodcan come out of Nazareth," meets Jesus:
John 1:47 When Jesus saw Nathanaelapproaching, he said of him, "Behold,
here is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit."
This is the first thing Jesus says to Nathaniel- "Look everyone, an honest
Isrealite!" Jesus is facetiouslymocking Nathaniel's comment about him while
pointing out that all of Israelis lacking in its ability to produce worthy and
honest leaders, not just Nazareth.
https://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/6149/are-there-any-
examples-of-sarcasm-in-the-bible
Was Jesus, being sarcastic whenhe said, you with out sin castthe first stone?
When the Pharisees broughta woman who was caughtin the act of adultery
to Jesus and askedHim if she should be stoned, Jesus replied, “If any one of
you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7). This
should not be used to indicate that Jesus rejectedcapitalpunishment in all...
show more
Update: Some say Jesus broke the old laws. and brought in new
commandments. to replace the old laws but Jesus says He did not, I have kept
my Father's commandments" (John 15:10). Also in response to the young
man who askedHim what to do to inherit eternallife, Jesus said, "If you want
to enter into... show more

BestAnswer: No.....Butyou've left out some important things in the story:
Joh 8:3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman takenin
adultery; and when they had sether in the midst,
Joh 8:4 They say unto him, Master, this womanwas takenin adultery, in the
very act.
Joh 8:5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but
what sayestthou?
Joh 8:6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But
Jesus stoopeddown, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he
heard them not.
Joh 8:7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said
unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first casta stone at her.
Joh 8:8 And againhe stoopeddown, and wrote on the ground.
Joh 8:9 And they which heard it, being convictedby their own conscience,
went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was
left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
Joh 8:10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he
said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers?hath no man
condemned thee?
Joh 8:11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus saidunto her, Neither do I
condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
Joh 8:12 Then spake Jesus againunto them, saying, I am the light of the
world: he that followethme shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light
of life.

In verse 6, where Jesus pretendedto ignore them and wrote on the
ground....I've heard more than one preacherspeculate that Jesus was writing
the names of their mistresses and girlfriends on the ground...
As you have correctlypointed out, yes, we all know it was a setup...Where was
the man who was CAUGHT WITH her? He was probably standing right
there with his clothes on.
I've also heard in this passagethat the ARAMAIC words that Jesus spoke in
verse 7 refered to sin "OF THIS TYPE," they were a bunch of hypocrites and
Jesus knew it.
Perhaps the most signifigantdetail of this story is who is left at the end of the
story?
Answer: Just one nakedsinner and Jesus
This is SO important because this is EXACTLY where all mankind will
eventually end up, and the question of the ages is what next?
What will happen when ______(fill in your name) meets Jesus?
You Deserve a BetterNight's Rest
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Jesus was not being sarcasticwhenhe saidthat... in fact, he was trying to
make a point to the Pharisees. The Phariseestraditionally were very
hypocritical... they followedall the rituals of the law and taught things that
they themselves did not uphold, constantly condemning others who did not
follow their commands and teachings. I think He was trying to point out that
none of us are without sin, as none of them were, and that nobody there had
any right to be stoning the woman.
eVery bOdy mUst gEt sToneD-BobDylan
The comparisonof the OT 2 NT- Jesus saidhe came to fulfill the law, not
enforce it.
I don't think he was being sarcastic, he was making a challenge.
One interesting point that is often overlookedin the NT passage. It is
mentioned that Jesus gota stick and made marks in the dirt/sand while he
was saying this.
What was he scribbling? Sins of Pharisees?Secretsonly they knew about
themselves?
What ever it was, they backeddown.

Jesus was pointing out that the law had not been working as a wayto
salvation. He was paving the way of the new covenantwhich is being savedby
grace. He knew that no one could obey the law completely and was telling the
people that. Anyway, who saidthat Mary was without sin? Yes I know who,
but she was human. Jesus was without sin.
He was serious and truthful. God has laid down the rule that everybody is
equal in the eyes of Law. But they used to punish the poor sinners and left the
rich criminals unharmed. Christ came to retrieve the lost sheepof Children of
Israeland he wanted to correcttheir mistakes. Alas they did not give him
enough time. They demanded from him the kingdom of holy land, before
submitting to G-d's will. He would have delivered it once the whole nation
acceptedhim and followedhis instructions.
Any way, he is coming again. And many Christians and most Muslim will
believe in him. I do not know about the Jews.
Its sound rough because how we are now, but let me explain to you how it
works, as an example, the fine in the human low are two kinds, fines to be
source of income to the government, and other is to prohibit the mistake, so
when they don't really wants you to through garbage in the highway they give
you $1000. ticket, so you will never think about it to do it, when you park
wrong they fine you $25.
in such countries they some time reduce the fines to make more income.
So if this would be the case that's mean God really means don't even think
about it... and to apply this punishment their is many conditions has to be full
filled to regulate this punishment.
He wasn't being sarcastic.He was pointing out that by only bringing the
woman to be stoned the people who brought here were in violation of the law,
and therefor guilty of violating Gods law (ie, with sin).

Kirby beat me to it. I don't know why people thumbed it down because it is a
cleanand truthful joke. To not acknowledgethat Mary was the mother of
Christ is blasphemy.
But yeah, he wasn'tbeing sarcastic, itwas his way of weeding out the
hypocrites. Now if only some these people would just stop throwing their
stones.
Jesus was not being sarcastic, he was providing the new law and
demonstrating what is fact (no one can live without sinning). He was
demonstrating that forgiveness andcompassionare strongerhealing
instruments than punishment by hypocrisy. The latter is my interpretation.
they wanted to stonedMary Magdalene becausetheysaid that she was a
sinner, so when Jesus said“If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first
to throw a stone at her” He meant that if there was any of them who thought
that he was perfect and without any sin, that person should throw the first
stone to Mary Magdalene. No one of them raisedtheir hands to stonedher
because they knew that they were as sinner (they had also violated the laws of
God) as Mary Magdalene was.Jesus wasnot sarcastic, He just wantedto
teachthem a lesson:no one should be judging other because we all make
mistake, and the only one that can judge us is God.
Jesus's Sarcasm

I gotta confess, andthose of you who know me well know this about me
already, but I LOVE sarcasm. Probably too much. I realize sarcasmcanbe
hurtful if it used in the wrong way. I have no doubt I have used it in that way
before. I don't use it as much as I once did, so I am trying to do better. But
sarcasmcanbe used in a way that gets people to see something that they may
not have seenbefore, and I think that is a gooduse of sarcasm.
Jesus must have believed that, because He used it from time to time. My
favorite example of Jesus's sarcasmis in Luke 7 when Jesus is at the home of
Simon the Pharisee. You know the story.........Simonis offended because Jesus
is letting this woman who is a "sinner" kiss His feet, and then washhis feet
with both tears and perfume. Simon never said anything to Jesus aboutit, but
Jesus knew what was going on in Simon's mind. Jesus then told him the
parable about two men having debts to a moneylender, one greatand one
small, and having those debts cancelled. He askedthe simple but deep
question: "Now which of them loved him more?" Simon answeredcorrectly,
and somewhatsheepishly:"I suppose the one who had the biggerdebt
cancelled." Jesus toldhim he was correct. ThenJesus pointed out to Simon
how the woman has smothered him with love from the secondshe had been
with him, and how Simon had done NOTHING. He concludedhis remarks
about her by saying "Her many sins have been forgiven.....forshe loved
much".
If the story had ended there, it would have been a great story.........right? Ah,
but it doesn't, and it gets even better. Jesus puts on his sarcasmhat, and really
zings Simon. Jesus says:
"But he who has been forgiven little loves little". Have you ever been forgiven
"LITTLE"? Do you have any LITTLE struggles? Forgivenessis ALWAYS
big, and never "LITTLE"!That is the only way God knows how to do it,
because He loves us so so much. Jesus, Godin the flesh, only forgave big when
He was on the earth. It's impossible to be forgiven little! The Pharisees were
arrogantfolks, and Simon was one of them. In his mind, he had no need for

God's forgiveness.........orif he did, it was very "LITTLE". Jesus knew Simon
felt that way about himself. BecauseofSimon's arrogance and self-
righteousness, he didn't have the ability to love anybody...........notevenJesus.
Oh he probably loved one person, himself. But he knew in his heart of hearts
how sinful he was, and that he had been forgiven BIG.......evenif outwardly he
actedlike he had "little" to be forgiven of. It had to zing him. It has to zing us.
Do you want to be able to love? Then you better acknowledgehow much YOU
have been loved and forgiven! I don't know that I can prove it, but I believe
with all my heart the same principle applies to grace. If you are not a grace
giving person, you probably have never acknowledgedhow in need of grace
you are........andhow God smotheredyou with His grace.
I wonder how sarcasmaffectedSimon? I wonder how it sits with you and me?
In closing, let me ask our fellowshipor movement............are we knownfor our
outpouring of grace and love for other believers? See, thatis who Simon was
with.......anotherbeliever......andhe wasn't loving her very well. Is withholding
fellowship an expressionof love and grace?Of course it isn't. We for sure at
times have been like Simon, and been guilty of loving "little". Why? Maybe
because we had the heart of Simon..............a heartof self-righteousnessand
arrogance.
God help us to not need His sarcasmto realize that.
May we seek to have the heart of the sinful woman. "Forshe loved much".

posted by David U @ 3:17 PM
38 comments
38 Comments:
At 5:52 PM, Laymond said...
It proves once againlove is the root of salvation.
At 6:06 PM, ThatGirl said...
...and here I've been trying to prove that sarcasmis a gift! I know, I'm trying -
I really and truly am trying to love more. It just doesn't seemto come
naturally to me!
At 8:12 PM, Franklin Woodsaid...
I LOVE Jesus'sarcasmalso!I find it darkly hilarious the way he responded
to those trying to trap him when they asked, "Shouldwe pay taxes to
Caesar?" andhe answeredby pointing out Caesar'spicture on the coin
followedby, "Give to Caesarwhat is Caesar's and give to God what is God's!"
There's a LOT more of that too in His ministry! Awesome!
At 7:35 AM, DJG said...
I am pretty sure sarcasmis a Gift! I know my entire family is blessedwith it.
If we canever get where we truly love Jesus like the woman in Simon's home
we will forget about loving our "rules" and our "appearance"and only then
can we acceptand redirect his marvelous gift of grace.
At 8:39 AM, annie said...
Very goodpost, David. I love that story in Luke 4 so much----I wish I could've
been that woman.

You KNOW how sarcastic I canbe. I wish I weren't blessedwith that "gift",
but I am thankful that Jesus usedit many times, because thenI can, at least,
say "YES!" in my mind!
At 8:41 AM, Nancy French said...
I'm trying to be less sarcastic aroundthe kids -- Sarcasmin children not as
attractive as it sounds. So far, so good.
At 3:49 PM, ldqn said...
I'm so glad to have been "smotheredin grace!" You're right, it sures helps
you give more grace to others when you realize your own need for it and
acceptthe gift of it.
Thanks!
At 10:43 AM, PatrickMeadsaid...
My wife says I'm getting too sarcastic.I told her, "Yeah, right."
At 10:45 AM, PatrickMeadsaid...
Oh... and remember God's sarcastic remarks to Job in chapters 39:9-12 and
41:1-5. That whole sectionis full of God "getting in Job's face" and making
sarcasticcomments.
At 7:36 PM, shannonsaid...
This is Off Topic, but worth noting some goodnews:
An unusual cooperative effortbetweentwo congregations inNashville is
reflective of the dramatic changes going on within the Stone-Campbell
heritage. The Woodmont Hills Church of Christ and the First Christian
Church, who in recentyears have used eachother’s facilities on a temporary
basis, are entering into a "sharedcampus" agreement. First Christian,
presently without a facility, will build their 300-seatsanctuaryonWoodmont

Hills property, along with a gymnasium. Woodmont Hills will also use said
facilities for funerals, weddings, youth programs. They explain that while it is
not a merger, the two churches will be in a collegial, side-by-side cooperative
relationship.
At 11:31 AM, David U said...
Shannon, thanks for sharing that WONDERFULnews with all of us. I praise
God for what He is doing in Nashville with these two groups of beleivers!
DU
At 7:33 PM, Keith said...
I never really thought about "forgiving little" but I know I have been guilty of
it toward those who offended me. Remember, all the jabs about Bama aren't
sarcastic;their truth brother!
At 2:01 PM, Gillian Hart said...
sar·casm
mid 16th century: from French sarcasme, orvia late Latin from late Greek
sarkasmos, fromGreek sarkazein‘tearflesh,’ in late Greek ‘gnashthe teeth,
speak bitterly’ (from sarx, sark-‘flesh’).
If you knew this, you would never think for a moment that the Sovereign
Ruler and Creatorof a Universe would employ a sophomoric technique like
sarcasm. If you knew Him, really knew Him this would become instantly
clear, that Jesus wouldnever use a so-called'teaching'tool the might have
deleterious effects on the minds or hearts of his fellows, be they enemies or
friends, for he well knew that His Fatherwas and remains no respecterof
men. If you were to study your scripture from the eyes of the infant you are to
Him, you would understand that in being like a child when approaching Him

you are en-abled to receive His love and experience the pure love by which
God is characterizedand the corallatedfactof His Absolute absence of
divisiveness and (masked)cruelty, that only human beings are
capable(potentiatedwith)of. Please studymore before writing these careless(if
well-meant)ideas that you have regarding Jesus ofNazareth. I ask this of you
not to undermine your creativity, but rather as a request to your ministry that
it be more discerning about the tone of it's direction. Do you seek more souls
for the kingdom, or do you actually desire an earthly type of attention that by
default canserve to undermine your fellows understanding of the Message?
Sincerely
Gillian Hart
Urantia Citizen
Though Simon was not a member of the JewishSanhedrin, he was an
influential Pharisee ofJerusalem. He was a halfhearted believer, and
notwithstanding that he might be severelycriticized therefor, he dared to
invite Jesus and his personalassociates,Peter, James,and John, to his home
for a socialmeal. Simon had long observedthe Masterand was much
impressed with his teachings and even more so with his PERSONALITY.*
(1651.6)147:5.2 The wealthyPharisees were devotedto almsgiving, and they
did not shun publicity regarding their philanthropy. Sometimes they would
even blow a trumpet as they were about to bestow charity upon some beggar.
It was the custom of these Pharisees, whenthey provided a banquet for
distinguished guests, to leave the doors of the house open so that even the
streetbeggars might come in and, standing around the walls of the room
behind the couches ofthe diners, be in position to receive portions of food
which might be tossedto them by the banqueters.

(1651.7)147:5.3 Onthis particular occasionatSimon’s house, among those
who came in off the street was a woman of unsavory reputation who had
recently become a believer in the goodnews of the gospelof the kingdom. This
woman was wellknown throughout all Jerusalemas the former keeperof one
of the so-calledhigh-class brothels locatedhard by the temple court of the
gentiles. She had, on accepting the teachings of Jesus, closedup her nefarious
place of business and had induced the majority of the womenassociatedwith
her to acceptthe gospeland change their mode of living; notwithstanding this,
she was still held in greatdisdain by the Pharisees andwas compelled to wear
her hair down — the badge of harlotry. This unnamed woman had brought
with her a large flask of perfumed anointing lotion and, standing behind Jesus
as he reclined at meat, beganto anoint his feet while she also wethis feetwith
her tears of gratitude, wiping them with the hair of her head. And when she
had finished this anointing, she continued weeping and kissing his feet.
(1652.1)147:5.4 WhenSimon saw all this, he saidto himself: “This man, if he
were a prophet, would have perceived who and what manner of woman this is
who thus touches him; that she is a notorious sinner.” And Jesus, knowing
what was going on in Simon’s mind, spoke up, saying: “Simon, I have
something which I would like to say to you.” Simon answered, “Teacher, say
on.” Then saidJesus:“A certain wealthy moneylender had two debtors. The
one owedhim five hundred denarii and the other fifty. Now, when neither of
them had wherewith to pay, he forgave them both. Which of them do you
think, Simon, would love him most?” Simon answered, “He, I suppose, whom
he forgave the most.” And Jesus said, “You have rightly judged,” and
pointing to the woman, he continued: “Simon, take a goodlook at this woman.
I entered your house as an invited guest, yet you gave me no water for my feet.
This grateful woman has washedmy feetwith tears and wiped them with the
hair of her head. You gave me no kiss of friendly greeting, but this woman,
ever since she came in, has not ceasedto kiss my feet. My head with oil you
neglectedto anoint, but she has anointed my feet with precious lotions. And
what is the meaning of all this? Simply that her many sins have been forgiven,
and this has led her to love much. But those who have receivedbut little
forgiveness sometimes love but little.” And turning around towardthe

woman, he took her by the hand and, lifting her up, said: “You have INDEED
repented of your sins, and they are forgiven. Be not discouragedby the
thoughtless and unkind attitude of your fellows;go on in the joy and liberty of
the kingdom of heaven.”
(1652.2)147:5.5 WhenSimon and his friends who satat meat with him heard
these words, they were the MOREastonished, and they beganto whisper
among themselves, “Who is this man that he even dares to forgive sins?” And
when Jesus heard them thus murmuring, he turned to dismiss the woman,
saying, “Woman, go in peace;your faith has savedyou.”
(1652.3)147:5.6 As Jesus arose withhis friends to leave, he turned to Simon
and said: “I know your heart, Simon, how you are torn betwixt faith and
doubts, how you are distraught by fearand troubled by pride; but I pray for
you that you may yield to the light and may experience in your stationin life
just such mighty transformations of mind and spirit as may be comparable to
the tremendous changes whichthe gospelofthe kingdom has already wrought
in the heart of your unbidden and unwelcome guest. And I declare to all of
you that the Father has opened the doors of the heavenly kingdom to all who
have the faith to enter, and no man or associationofmen can close those doors
even to the most humble soul or supposedly most flagrant sinner on earth if
such sincerelyseek anentrance.” And Jesus, withPeter, James, and John,
took leave of their host and went to join the restof the apostles atthe camp in
the gardenof Gethsemane.
(1653.1)147:5.7 Thatsame evening Jesus made the long-to-be-remembered
address to the apostles regarding the relative value of status with God and
progress in the eternal ascentto Paradise. SaidJesus:“My children, if there
exists a true and living connectionbetweenthe child and the Father, the child
is certain to progress continuously towardthe Father’s ideals. True, the child
may at first make SLOW progress, but the progress is none the less sure. The

important thing is not the rapidity of your progress but rather its certainty.
Your actual achievementis not so important as the fact that the direction of
your progress is Godward. What you are becoming day by day is of infinitely
more importance than what you are today.
(1653.2)147:5.8 “This transformedwoman whom some of you saw at Simon’s
house today is, at this moment, living on a level which is vastly below that of
Simon and his well-meaning associates;but while these Pharisees are occupied
with the false progress ofthe illusion of traversing deceptive circles of
meaningless ceremonialservices, this woman has, in dead earnest, startedout
on the long and eventful searchfor God, and her path towardheaven is not
blockedby spiritual pride and moral self-satisfaction. The womanis, humanly
speaking, much farther awayfrom God than Simon, but her soulis in
progressive motion; she is on the waytoward an eternalgoal. There are
present in this woman tremendous spiritual possibilities for the future. Some
of you may not stand high in actuallevels of soul and spirit, but you are
making daily progress on the living way opened up, through faith, to God.
There are tremendous possibilities in eachof you for the future. Better by far
to have a small but living and growing faith than to be possessedofa great
intellect with its dead stores of worldly wisdom and spiritual unbelief.”
(1653.3)147:5.9 ButJesus earnestlywarned his apostles againstthe
foolishness ofthe child of God who presumes upon the Father’s love. He
declaredthat the heavenly Fatheris not a lax, loose, orfoolishly indulgent
parent who is everready to condone sin and forgive recklessness.He
cautionedhis hearers not mistakenly to APPLY his illustrations of father and
son so as to make it appearthat God is like some overindulgent and unwise
parents who conspire with the foolish of earth to encompass the moral
undoing of their thoughtless children, and who are thereby certainly and
directly contributing to the delinquency and early demoralization of their own
offspring. Said Jesus:“My Father does not indulgently condone those acts and
practices ofhis children which are self-destructive and suicidal to all moral

growth and spiritual progress. Suchsinful practices are an abomination in the
sight of God.”
(1653.4)147:5.10Manyother semiprivate meetings and banquets did Jesus
attend with the high and the low, the rich and the poor, of Jerusalembefore
he and his apostles finally departed for Capernaum. And many, indeed,
became believers in the gospelof the kingdom and were subsequently baptized
by Abner and his associates, who remained behind to fosterthe interests of
the kingdom in Jerusalemand thereabouts.
https://lightandsalt.blogspot.com/2006/10/jesuss-sarcasm.html
The Song of the Cheerful (but slightly Sarcastic)Jesus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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"The Song of the Cheerful (but slightly Sarcastic)Jesus"is a poem by Oliver
St. John Gogarty. It was written around Christmas of 1904 and was later
published in modified form as "The Balladof Joking Jesus" in James Joyce's
Ulysses.
Original text[edit]
The poem, like many of Oliver Gogarty's humorous verses, was writtenfor
the private amusement of his friends. In the summer of 1905, he senta copy to
James Joyce, thenliving in Trieste, via their mutual acquaintance Vincent
Cosgrave.Joyce andGogartyhad quarreled the previous autumn, and
Cosgrave presentedthe poem as a peace offering, writing Joyce that "the

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