Did Jesus laugh?

Question

We never hear about it in scripture, but I'm just curious as to what you all think. If you think he did, what did he laugh at? What would Jesus consider funny. This is a serious question, so please answer accordingly.

Answer 1

Good question! I've often wondered about the same thing. My study of Scripture has found no incidents documenting Jesus laughing BUT..... I am quite certain that he enjoyed a good laugh now and then. As a Priest once noted "Look at the guys He hung around with. If the Apostles weren't good for a laugh now and then who is?" And remember that He had a complete childhood, with doting, loving parents and family members around Him. Surely this little boy laughed and joked with His friends and relatives. In conclusion - Yes, I believe that Jesus laughed. And I bet it was an infectious laugh that made others want to join in.

Answer 2

The Bible was written much after Jesus's death....so while the people who wrote the Bible knew the bigger picture, they lost the smaller details.

I definitly think Jesus laughed. I think all big religious leaders that are worth their grain of salt laughed. They are enlightened and of course realize that the world, while far from perfect, is worth caring about and laughter shows joy.

Jesus wouldn't have laughed at people. Even though most people laugh at other people falling I don't think Jesus did. Jesus wouldn't laugh at other people's pain....that's why he wouldn't find most of today's comedians funny. I think that Jesus would laugh at people's passion for humor (in a good way)....he'd laugh at simple stuff.......I don't think he'd be huge on jokes but if the oppurtunity arose, he'd laugh.

Answer 3

I believe that Jesus laughed. He was born into this world just like us, except perfect. He more than likely laughed as a child when playing, laughed as a adult when dancing, and socializing. I think Jesus would of laughed when children played and talked with him, like the one part of the bible when he sat with them to teach them about God. Children are natural comedians and with a kind heart you can find their humour sweet and funny, that is what I think for sure Jesus would of laughed at.
He also says we should be like children to get to heaven, children laugh lots and that must be apart of Jesus' personality if that is what he was saying to the disciples. This is just my view of him though.

Answer 4

Jesus often played with children, it might sound a bit pedophile ish but he meant it in a good way, he loved the children's innocence because they beleived in God easily and didn't doubt. Jesus had to laugh with the children as he played with them. Jesus had a mom, there fore he laughed with her. Jesus had friends so he laughed with them. After all, he was man.

Answer 5

I saw a pen & ink drawing titled 'Jesus Laughs' - a friend of mine growing up whose brother was a priest had it hanging in their house. It was nice, and I remember it because it was different from most artists renditions we see of Jesus.

I would suppose Jesus had a sense of humour - most likely, he would laugh when someone pleased him unexpectedly - or at the antics of a child.

Answer 6

I am sure that he did, what child do you know that isn't full of laughter? When He was at Cana he was at a wedding celebration, I am sure laughing and having a grand time.
It says in Proverbs that laughter is the best medicine.

Answer 7

Blessed are ye that weep now: for you shall laugh. - Luke 6:21

2. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. - Matthew 5:5

Note that Christ does not say "Blessed are they who laugh and take comfort in this present life," but blessed are you who mourn and weep in this world, and who reserve true comfort and consolation for the world to come.

King David in Psalm 125

1. When the Lord brought back the captivity of Sion, we became like men comforted. 2. Then was our mouth filled with gladness; and our tongue with joy. Then shall they say among the Gentiles: The Lord hath done great things for them. 3. The Lord hath done great things for us: we are become joyful. 4. Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as a stream in the south. 5. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6. Going they went and wept, casting their seeds. 7. But coming they shall come with joyfulness, carrying their sheaves.

St. Paul the Apostle writes:

1. Therefore watch, keeping in memory that for three years I ceased not with tears to admonish every one of you, night and day. - Acts 20:31

2. For out of much affliction and anguish of heart, I wrote to you with many tears: not that you should be made sorrowful: but that you might know the charity I have more abundantly towards you. - 2 Corinthians 2:4

3. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ. - Philippians 3:18

St. Isaac the Syrian

"All just men have left this world in tears. If the saints wept and always had their mouth full of tears ... who would not weep? ... If those who were victorious wept here below, how is it that one who is full of ulcers would cease weeping? A father, certainly, who has before him the body of a beloved child, does not need to be taught which thoughts will arouse tears in him. Your soul lies before you, dead through sin, and it is worth more to you than the whole world. If we go into solitude, we will thus be able to render tears perpetual. Let us then ask insistently that Our Lord give them to us. If we receive this gift, more excellent than any other, we will attain to purity through tears. And if we do reach it, that purity will not be taken away from us again until our departure from this world." ( Paul Bedjan, Isaac Ninivita, De Perfectione Religiosa, Paris-Leipzig, 1909, p. 252 )



The above quotes were gathered by another person at monachos.net message board but it conveys my ideas nicely. If Christ Himself (and His Apostles and Saints) did not advocate frivolity and easy laughter then it is doubtful that He Himself would go about guffawing like a fool.

The argument that "Jesus was fully human and so MUST HAVE laughed" is a laughable argument. Christ became like us in all things excepting sin, and most laughter, if we pay close attention to ourselves, is precisely the fruit of sins such as frivolity, worldliness, calousness and usually is a distraction and not spiritually healthy. Also, it must be remembered that Christ is also FULLY GOD and it is most probably blasphemeous to ascribe to God a sense of humour or "light-heartedness".

Answer 8

theres so much about Jesus that wasnt recorded,im sure he laughed because he had emotions,he probably sat around with the disciples and laughed all the time

Answer 9

when Jesus restored the blind man's sight, (the man had never had vision), he saw men 'walking as trees' whatever that means lol. i think jesus thought that was funny, then He made the blind man close His eyes again, and restored it the rest of the way

Answer 10

because Jesus was fully human, of course he laughed. the scripture is replete with references of Jesus bantering, you know good-hearted fun. as far as content goes, i do not know.