διαχλευάζω (diachleuazō)
diachleuazō
to deride
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb diachleuazō means to mock or deride someone with intense scorn. It is an intensive form of the base word chleuazō, amplifying the sense of ridicule to a level of aggressive contempt. In the New Testament, it appears only once, marking a specific moment of public hostility.
This single occurrence is found in Acts 2:13, where bystanders hear the apostles speaking in other languages and assume they are drunk. The crowd does not merely question or ignore them; they actively deride the disciples’ behavior. This usage highlights how the early church faced immediate skepticism and mockery from those who did not understand the phenomenon of Pentecost.
The word’s intensity distinguishes it from simple teasing. It conveys a harsh, dismissive attitude that seeks to belittle the subjects. By using this strong term, the text underscores the cultural and social barrier the apostles had to overcome, as their message was initially met with ridicule rather than curiosity.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When the early church began to speak in tongues, the reaction was not always positive curiosity. In Acts 2:13, a crowd used a word meaning to deride or mock with intense scorn. They dismissed the apostles’ experience as drunkenness rather than seeing it as the work of the Spirit. This shows that faith often invites skepticism from those who do not share your perspective.
It is normal to face ridicule when you stand for something different. The disciples did not retreat in shame; they continued their mission despite the harsh words. This word reminds us that misunderstanding is part of the journey. God’s work often begins in ways that look foolish to the outside world, yet it carries profound truth.
You may encounter similar moments where your beliefs are met with derision. Instead of responding with anger, remember that the apostles persisted in love. Your faithful witness does not need to prove itself through argument but through consistent, gentle action. God sees your integrity even when others do not understand it.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- mocking1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- διαχλευάζοντες1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 2:13
Others, mocking, said, “They are filled with new wine.”
This verse captures the specific moment when the crowd used aggressive contempt to dismiss the apostles' spiritual experience as mere intoxication.