Where's the humour?

Question

The bible seems totally devoid of humour. Are there any actual comedy moments, amusing scenes, anything in there at all which is generally accepted as 'amusing' for the sake of amusing its readers? And if not, why not?

Answer 1

I don't know if you've read it, but the story of Balaam and the talking donkey was pretty funny to me. It's in the old testament, in the 22nd chapter of the book of Numbers. Not to sound deprecating, but it seems almost like a story from The 1001 Nights.

Answer 2

Dear Heathen
The bible is riddled with humour, sarcasm and wit...however, as with all humour, it falls on the part of the reader to be able to understand it within context - as much of the bible is written several thousand years ago, it becomes less obvious... however, speak to any Theology Student and they'll have examples of biblical humour....

It's a bit like Zacchaeus - the tax collector - despised by everyone... too short to see anything so scrambles up a tree to see what's going on, hoping not to be seen by anyone in this indignant position... only to have the main man (Jesus) come up to him in front of hundreds of onlookers, and tell him to come down and make him some dinner! I think that's pretty darn funny myself....

Anyway... if nothing else, for a Heathen, you seem awfully interested in the Bible.... :o)

Answer 3

Not as we would accept humour. The Bible was meant as a serious record of history and God's plan. Detailing the reasons why God had to do certain things, what man did, what the adversary did, etc. It is a book about life and although God has a sense of humour, this was not the place for it.

Answer 4

It's a storybook, and a damn good one too. I actually read the Bible more than most Christians I know because some of the stories in there are so amusing--but for them to be amusing, you have to look at them with a unique viewpoint. I would suggest you get a copy of the "Good News Bible," which is written in modern English.

Answer 5

There are some choice morsels if you know where to look.

I always find Ezekiel is an absolute scream.

So, Ezekiel, I hear you had a close encounter the other day. What did these celestials look like?.....

"..... They had four faces.The face of a man, the face of a lion on the right side and the face of an ox on the left side; they also had the face of an eagle. ....."

I think that's funny. Or, at least, I think he has to be kidding.

Answer 6

Oh, there's humour in it! I love the story where Jesus changes water into wine (even though there was more wine available) just to make his momma stop nagging him!

Then there's the time he lost his patience when the disciples misunderstood him for the umpteenth time: "I swear to Me, the prostitutes and tax collectors are gonna make it to heaven before you guys!"

Or how about the joke he made when Judas was giving Mary Magdalene a hard time about wasting valuable ointment: "Relax, Judas, chill out, there'll be plenty of poor people left after I'm gone."

Answer 7

I don't think the Bible was meant to be a comedy. It was written to detail history and to give us guidelines for life. I find humor in it in places. For example, when the Egyptian magicians tried to compete against Moses who was given the power of the Lord, there was no competion. Aaron threw down his walking stick and it became a snake. The king's magicians were proud of themselves when they were able to do the same "trick", but the snake created by the Lord gobbled up their snake. I find that amusing.

Answer 8

It is a book of teaching, a book of knowledge.
It is a book of Life.

Thou there can be some humor in life, often the lessons are hard!

Answer 9

Yehh the bit when god said to moses come forth,but he only come fifth and won a lolly pop

Answer 10

There's not much humor in the Bible because how can you keep people in line using the fear of the wrath of God if they're laughing?