What is sarcasm and is it ever compatible with being Christian??

[WIP]

I'm trying to imagine Jesus talking to his apostles.
Would he always talk politely to them? With no humour? Would he be so straight?
After drinking wine and relaxing with them?
He might even be sarcastic?
"Hey Judas. You wouldn't betray me, would you?"
We might have a romantic notion of how Jesus and his apostles behaved and communicated.

One example where I believe Jesus was being lightly sarcastic was in John 14:7-9 NKJV. I picture the Warner Brothers animated Foghorn Leghorn saying, "Come on Philip, I'm a pitchin' but you ain't a catchin'."

7 “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.”
8 Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.”
9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

 

[Edward]

I'm trying to imagine Jesus talking to his apostles.
Would he always talk politely to them? With no humour? Would he be so straight?
After drinking wine and relaxing with them?
He might even be sarcastic?
"Hey Judas. You wouldn't betray me, would you?"
We might have a romantic notion of how Jesus and his apostles behaved and communicated.

But Jesus did talk to His Apostles with humour on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24:

13 Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was [e]seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15 So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him.

17 And He said to them, “What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you [f]walk and are sad?”

18 Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, “Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?”

19 And He said to them, “What things?”.../

Jesus might not have been being sarcastic but in my mind He was definitely being humorous with them, as if He didn't know what things had been happening. Jesus having been crucified had to have been a huge event back then and for Him to say, what things? is about as funny as it gets I think. Jesus definitely has a sense of Humor!

 

[humble soul]

If you're looking for honesty I sometimes think you conflate humor with sarcasm. It makes it very difficult for anyone else to know the difference when you use it. It's not a very fair tactic, especially in written word because one can't see your expressions or hear the inflections in your voice. I have also noticed on more than one occasion that when someone replies to you with a little sarcastic humor you don't seem to take it very well but tend to take it personally. Just my observation for what it's worth.

If it was genuinely funny I would have acknowledged it

 

[humble soul]

There seems to be different kinds of sarcasm .so sarcasm is such a broad term. It gets more negative press than it deserves imo.

 

[WIP]

There seems to be different kinds of sarcasm .so sarcasm is such a broad term. It gets more negative press than it deserves imo.

I'm sure it is possible for sarcasm not to be but to me, most of the time sarcasm can be quite irritating. It implies the one using it sees themselves above others, and that is not a Christian way to be for we are not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought. (Romans 12:3)

 

[humble soul]

I feel superior in some areas and inferior in others. It all evens out in the end.

 

[kathydixon]

For Your Eyes Only
https://tinyurl.com/36v8w22f

 

[Delete_me]

Elijah made fun of the Baal prophets. Paul said to just let the Jewish hypocrites go castrate themselves. It would seem sarcasm can be compatible with a Christian walk. The only time it might not be is if you don't want people to know you actually mean the exact opposite of what you say. Then that starts to cross the line into deceit.

 

[PeterJens]

Sarcasm is an easy defence mechanism against what is thought to be a dangerous and difficult world.
Jesus calls us to transcend the evils of the world, to bless when we are cursed, to love when we are hated.

Satirical sarcasm has a limited place, but on the whole sarcasm is cynical and standoffish which is not where Jesus leads us.

 

[WIP]

The thing about sarcasm is that in most cases when we use it, we use it to puff up our own chests and tearing others down rather than building others up. I know I'm guilty of this during arguments.

 

[D-D-W]

But Jesus did talk to His Apostles with humour on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24:

Not the only time.

Matt 17:24 NASB 95
When they came to Capernaum, those who collected the two-drachma tax came to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the two-drachma tax?” 25 He *said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs or poll-tax, from their sons or from strangers?” 26 When Peter said, “From strangers,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are exempt. 27 However, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for you and Me.”

I can just see our Lord. Peter walks in, about to tell Him about the tax collector when He says “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs or poll-tax, from their sons or from strangers?” Peter, having been cut off of his train of thought thinks a moment and says "Strangers." So sweeping His arms around to the disciples whom He had been teaching were Sons of God, says: “Then the SONS [disciples] are exempt." Everyone laughs. He continues: "BUT - so that we do not offend them ..." and then tells Peter to do something ridiculous.

I certainly see a bit of sarcasm in there.

 

[Serving Zion]

Not the only time.

Matt 17:24 NASB 95
When they came to Capernaum, those who collected the two-drachma tax came to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the two-drachma tax?” 25 He *said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs or poll-tax, from their sons or from strangers?” 26 When Peter said, “From strangers,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are exempt. 27 However, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for you and Me.”

I can just see our Lord. Peter walks in, about to tell Him about the tax collector when He says “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs or poll-tax, from their sons or from strangers?” Peter, having been cut off of his train of thought thinks a moment and says "Strangers." So sweeping His arms around to the disciples whom He had been teaching were Sons of God, says: “Then the SONS [disciples] are exempt." Everyone laughs. He continues: "BUT - so that we do not offend them ..." and then tells Peter to do something ridiculous.

I certainly see a bit of sarcasm in there.

I see that Jesus is sternly reproving Peter, saying "why did you yield us to the position of a foreigner in their system? Now look: there is a sacrifice to cover this sin" so he was commanded to take a life of one that he loved, not for food, but to shed the blood in exchange for money and that was to atone for the sin of the tax collectors whom Peter had yielded to in order that they might lord-it over them. Jesus' interest was in making sure that the tax collectors did not become offended and begin to do grievous sin against those whom they have no legitimate claim to make demands, and his instruction to Peter was in order that Peter himself would have the duty of shedding the innocent blood. If you can imagine Peter's view you will understand that it wasn't a matter to be laughing about and he would have certainly been regretting that he had failed to glorify the Lord. Probably weeping internally as it was happening.

 

[D-D-W]

I see that Jesus is sternly reproving Peter, saying "why did you yield us to the position of a foreigner in their system? Now look: there is a sacrifice to cover this sin" so he was commanded to take a life of one that he loved, not for food, but to shed the blood in exchange for money and that was to atone for the sin of the tax collectors whom Peter had yielded to in order that they might lord-it over them. Jesus' interest was in making sure that the tax collectors did not become offended and begin to do grievous sin against those whom they have no legitimate claim to make demands, and his instruction to Peter was in order that Peter himself would have the duty of shedding the innocent blood. If you can imagine Peter's view you will understand that it wasn't a matter to be laughing about and he would have certainly been regretting that he had failed to glorify the Lord. Probably weeping internally as it was happening.

??????? What are you talking about - "foreigners?" That tax was for the support of the Temple and was required in the Law of Moses.

From https://www.esv.org/resources/esv-global-study-bible/facts-matthew-16/

The two-drachma temple tax. In Moses’ time, each person over the age of 20 was to give a half-shekel offering (the equivalent of two Roman drachmas) for the support of the tabernacle (see Ex. 30:11–16). This practice was still being observed some 1,500 years later, in Jesus’ day, to maintain the temple. In Matt. 17:24, Jesus paid the tax for himself and Peter, using a shekel coin retrieved from a fish’s mouth!

Doesn't your pastor teach that stuff?? If not, he/she is falling down on the job.

 

[Serving Zion]

??????? What are you talking about - "foreigners?" That tax was for the support of the Temple and was required in the Law of Moses.

From https://www.esv.org/resources/esv-global-study-bible/facts-matthew-16/

Yes, but don't go forgetting Matthew 21:37-38 (showing the rationale that Jesus was expressing in Matthew 17:26). Also notice that the law commands a shekel, not two Drachma, so the tax collectors weren't keeping the law anyway.

Doesn't your pastor teach that stuff?? If not, he/she is falling down on the job.

That doesn't really matter anyway. They all like to take a 10% tax these days.

 

[D-D-W]

Yes, but don't go forgetting Matthew 21:37-38 (showing the rationale that Jesus was expressing in Matthew 17:26). Also notice that the law commands a shekel, not two Drachma, so the tax collectors weren't keeping the law anyway.

If, as the commentators have stated, that 2 Roman drachma coins (legal tender in the empire) was worth a sheckel (NOT legal tender in the empire), then what is the difference?

A 50 cent piece or 2 quarters?

That doesn't really matter anyway. They all like to take a 10% tax these days.

The Tithe (means 1/10) is a very biblical principle. It is not a requirement for gentile Christians.

 

[Edward]

The Tithe (means 1/10) is a very biblical principle. It is not a requirement for gentile Christians.

Maybe not but it is honored by God if we do tithe. The Lord never changes. And if you don't believe me all you have to do is to test God about it and see.

That is the only way that we are allowed to test God. (Malachi 3:10)

 

[D-D-W]

Maybe not but it is honored by God if we do tithe. The Lord never changes. And if you don't believe me all you have to do is to test God about it and see.
That is the only way that we are allowed to test God. (Malachi 3:10)

Indeed. You will reap the blessings if you do that.

 

[Serving Zion]

If, as the commentators have stated, that 2 Roman drachma coins (legal tender in the empire) was worth a sheckel (NOT legal tender in the empire), then what is the difference?

A shekel is a weight of silver. The Drachma is the currency of man's system, as shown in Matthew 22:20-21. If Jesus says that the coin featuring Caesar's head belongs to Caesar, but he also says that there is something else that belongs to God, what do you say that other thing is?

A 50 cent piece or 2 quarters?

The Tithe (means 1/10) is a very biblical principle. It is not a requirement for gentile Christians.

It's just more of the same.

 

[D-D-W]

A shekel is a weight of silver. The Drachma is the currency of man's system, as shown in Matthew 22:20-21. If Jesus says that the coin featuring Caesar's head belongs to Caesar, but he also says that there is something else that belongs to God, what do you say that other thing is?

It's just more of the same.

We are talking about humor here. Our Lord was making a joke.
If you have a problem with that I suggest you take it up with Him.

 

[PeterJens]

The thing about sarcasm is that in most cases when we use it, we use it to puff up our own chests and tearing others down rather than building others up. I know I'm guilty of this during arguments.

We were studying being light last weekend.
Sarcasm focuses on the person one is being sarcastic about, whereas Jesus focuses on the light of love and sharing this with others, which has no area of fault. This light shows up the problems, where as sarcasm is often about keeping the status quo and trying to undermine things that point to change or need for change.

Thinking of the film, the life of Brian, it puts Jesus as just saying he was making a dark situation brighter.
This only works as a sarcasm if Jesus was not the Christ, and His action did not bring resolution for sin.

Emotionally those without real faith in Jesus or His setting us free, and who are lonely and depressed and leaning on Jesus in desperation, this seems to have a punch. Praise the Lord, He fills the heart with life and overcoming sin and death, and through our struggles we see Him overcome in our lives.

God bless you