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NotAllHere
Guest
there is something about a 2 x 4, at his arrest a striker, John tells us, not everything he did was written down, so likely he did laugh and had a sense of humor.
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WilT
Guest
True, not al was written down. I’m sure his disciples did plenty to make him laugh:hypno::juggle::blushing::doh2:, but laughing or laughter isn’t part of His important plan for us.
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Abu
Guest
It might be really Catholic if we looked at the reasons why Jesus of Nazareth is never shown in the Gospels as smiling or laughing.
That outstanding apologist Frank Sheed from Australia has taught on soapboxes in Hyde Park, London, and founded the publishing House of Sheed and Ward with his wife, Maisie Ward; has written outstanding books including *Theology and Sanity *and Society and Sanity, but the one I shall quote from here is Christ in Eclipse – A Clinical Study of the Good Christian, 1978, for there is a great need to listen to Christ through this great work.
That very same loving Christ to His own Apostles, “whom He loved to the end” exclaimed: “Have you no sense, no wits, are your hearts dulled, can’t you see, your ears hear, don’t you remember?” (Mk 8:17-18) (Frank Sheed, Christ In Eclipse, Sheed & Ward 1978, p 42). "With individuals He was very much the doctor with a duty not only to tell them what was wrong with them, but to make sure they realized it.” (Ibid. p 40-41).
St John is a good example of the ways of Jesus as the Way, apparently unknown, like much else, to many. John “had met the hard firmness three times: when he and his brother asked for high places in Christ’s kingdom, his ambition was tossed back on him so decisively (Mk 10:35-41); when he wanted fire from heaven to consume a Samaritan city which would not receive Christ, he was rebuked, ‘You do not know what manner of spirit you are, for the Son of man came not to destroy men’s lives but to save them’ (Lk 9:56); when he asked how Peter was to die he was told in effect to mind his own business (Jn 21:22).”
The forgotten reality that is Jesus of Nazareth is given by the great Frank Sheed:
“Certainly, some people who knew Christ in His lifetime would have been startled to find so much made of His loving kindness, indeed might have wondered if you were talking of the same person.”
Frank Sheed points out that Jesus was simply not given to sentimental utterances, and we have just seen how he handled John. Jesus shows plenty of the emotions of anger and grief – at those who accused Him of breaking the Sabbath when he healed (Mk 3:5). We never see Him smile, and His settled habit was terseness of speech. He made it His duty to tell people what was wrong with them, and made sure they realised it.
He refers us to the Gentile woman who “must have felt His ‘Do you want Me to take the bread of the children and give it to dogs?’ as an assertion of her inferiority as a Gentile:…did she feel Him loving?” (Mk 7:25)
So much for the false “acceptance” so often attributed to the Christ who told the woman taken in adultery to “sin no more” as she had breached the sixth commandment – which ensured that she paid more attention to the law. (Jn 8:3-11).
On the multitude however “he had compassion, for they were helpless and harassed like sheep without a shepherd.” (Mt 9:36). So, beware of the wolves in sheep’s clothing.
[See* Christ In Eclipse, Frank Sheed, Sheed & Ward, 1978, p 40-41].
That outstanding apologist Frank Sheed from Australia has taught on soapboxes in Hyde Park, London, and founded the publishing House of Sheed and Ward with his wife, Maisie Ward; has written outstanding books including *Theology and Sanity *and Society and Sanity, but the one I shall quote from here is Christ in Eclipse – A Clinical Study of the Good Christian, 1978, for there is a great need to listen to Christ through this great work.
That very same loving Christ to His own Apostles, “whom He loved to the end” exclaimed: “Have you no sense, no wits, are your hearts dulled, can’t you see, your ears hear, don’t you remember?” (Mk 8:17-18) (Frank Sheed, Christ In Eclipse, Sheed & Ward 1978, p 42). "With individuals He was very much the doctor with a duty not only to tell them what was wrong with them, but to make sure they realized it.” (Ibid. p 40-41).
St John is a good example of the ways of Jesus as the Way, apparently unknown, like much else, to many. John “had met the hard firmness three times: when he and his brother asked for high places in Christ’s kingdom, his ambition was tossed back on him so decisively (Mk 10:35-41); when he wanted fire from heaven to consume a Samaritan city which would not receive Christ, he was rebuked, ‘You do not know what manner of spirit you are, for the Son of man came not to destroy men’s lives but to save them’ (Lk 9:56); when he asked how Peter was to die he was told in effect to mind his own business (Jn 21:22).”
The forgotten reality that is Jesus of Nazareth is given by the great Frank Sheed:
“Certainly, some people who knew Christ in His lifetime would have been startled to find so much made of His loving kindness, indeed might have wondered if you were talking of the same person.”
Frank Sheed points out that Jesus was simply not given to sentimental utterances, and we have just seen how he handled John. Jesus shows plenty of the emotions of anger and grief – at those who accused Him of breaking the Sabbath when he healed (Mk 3:5). We never see Him smile, and His settled habit was terseness of speech. He made it His duty to tell people what was wrong with them, and made sure they realised it.
He refers us to the Gentile woman who “must have felt His ‘Do you want Me to take the bread of the children and give it to dogs?’ as an assertion of her inferiority as a Gentile:…did she feel Him loving?” (Mk 7:25)
So much for the false “acceptance” so often attributed to the Christ who told the woman taken in adultery to “sin no more” as she had breached the sixth commandment – which ensured that she paid more attention to the law. (Jn 8:3-11).
On the multitude however “he had compassion, for they were helpless and harassed like sheep without a shepherd.” (Mt 9:36). So, beware of the wolves in sheep’s clothing.
[See* Christ In Eclipse, Frank Sheed, Sheed & Ward, 1978, p 40-41].
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NotAllHere
Guest
I think Jesus was a well rounded person, that his teachings and actions were recorded often to reflect the seriousness of living without God in their life. Basically, I think the gospels are more serious than not simply because they reflect his mission on earth.
We know with the death of others, he did experience other emotions like sorrow, “Jesus wept” and we are told he experienced compassion too at times.
There are some indicators that Jesus did laugh, in Luke and John text, we see that Jesus did have joy. He attracted children to himself, kids do not like always serious people.
He also, hanged out at times with people who would like a good joke.
Luke 10:21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit,
Matthew 11:19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
John 17:13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
We know with the death of others, he did experience other emotions like sorrow, “Jesus wept” and we are told he experienced compassion too at times.
There are some indicators that Jesus did laugh, in Luke and John text, we see that Jesus did have joy. He attracted children to himself, kids do not like always serious people.
He also, hanged out at times with people who would like a good joke.
Luke 10:21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit,
Matthew 11:19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
John 17:13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
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petra22
Guest
I bet he smiled a lot especially at the children and the adults who often ACTED like children… 
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thinkandmull
Guest
St. John Christystom’s said He never laughed, and He most probably didn’t. Too meek for more then a kind smile, not a “look at me” thing, which laughing also is.
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juliamajor
Guest
The bible is filled with jokes, riddles,put down,bathroom humor and word play of all kinds denoting the humor of the inspired writer and the inspirer . the problem is language and translations.if you could read scripture in the original languages the humor would be way more evident. just like any modern translation idiomatic words can cause confusion. the translater has to work hard to take those words and transform them into something the reader can understand but the little nuances are often lost. any translation loses some of the original intent of the writer.It really can’t be helped.
Besides- Jesus as storyteller(parables) could never have held his audience without a sense of humor. who wants to listen to a pickle-puss?
Besides- Jesus as storyteller(parables) could never have held his audience without a sense of humor. who wants to listen to a pickle-puss?
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WilT
Guest
hummm…not buying it juliamajor
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NextElement
Guest
This thread has gotten so out of hand. First, yes Jesus laughed. As posters said earlier, he was fully human and did everything humans did, besides sin. People on CAF sometimes… 
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thinkandmull
Guest
Isn’t laughing inherently silly? I doubt Jesus ever laughed except as a child.
Bathroom humor? Where is THAT in the BIble?
Bathroom humor? Where is THAT in the BIble?
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juliamajor
Guest
really .I’d suggest you look into some biblical commentaries before “you don’t buy it.”
I also suggest that you read a book on the societal and sociological points of view of the ancient near east.Jesus was the master of the put-down when it came to his detractors. jesus did exist in and the Near east is still an “honor and shame” culture. to be called out or demeaned or derided would have brought shame upon any man.if you studyJesus’ interactions with scribes and Pharisees who ask Jesus “loaded” questions. Jesus always turns the questions around thus baiting and using the Pharisees “shame” tactics against them. They come off looking like jerks and probably became the butt of jokes by the populace. In the battle of wits Jesus was fully loaded.
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juliamajor
Guest
Laughter is one of the things that makes us truly human.Jesus laughed and enjoyed himself
just as he wept and was irritated. Being a fully Human being-minus the sin part-Jesus would have danced had a drink and feasted. Do you believe that because Jesus was without sin that that made him glum? Is it sinful to have a sense of humor? Is laughter the result of our sinful nature? Holy people laughed, Abraham laughed and so dis Sarah and Jacob’s name means laughter.
Again as far as humor in scripture goes it is there but most of it goes over or around our head. And there are things in scripture that we might find odd or not laughable but ancient Israelites would find hysterical
try this link for examples.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-topics/bible-interpretation/laughter-in-the-bible-absolutely/
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juliamajor
Guest
I agree with you.This thread has gotten so out of hand. First, yes Jesus laughed. As posters said earlier, he was fully human and did everything humans did, besides sin. People on CAF sometimes…
There is a classic book on the humor of jesus(that actually might be the title)but I remember it was written by someone called Trueblood.
A sense of humor (our Puritan ancestors would have believed) was antithetical to serious people. Or religious people or the righteous. People who saw the silly side of life would have called “addle-pated” or worse.
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juliamajor
Guest
Bathroom Humor in scripture
Isaiah 64:6 states that man’s righteousness is as “filthy rags.” Literally translated, this is referring to a bloody menstruel cloth.
Matthew 15:17- Jesus illustrates a point by referring to a bowel movement.
Matthew 23:33- Jesus calls the religious leaders a “generation of vipers,” or “sons of snakes.” Referring to someone as the offspring of an animal remains a common and forceful means of denunciation. The modern equivilent would be “son of a (not-nice word for a female dog).”
Galatians 5:11-12- Paul wishes that the false teachers in the church would castrate themselves.
Phillipians 3:8- Paul compares his pre-Christian life to fesces.
Isaiah 64:6 states that man’s righteousness is as “filthy rags.” Literally translated, this is referring to a bloody menstruel cloth.
Matthew 15:17- Jesus illustrates a point by referring to a bowel movement.
Matthew 23:33- Jesus calls the religious leaders a “generation of vipers,” or “sons of snakes.” Referring to someone as the offspring of an animal remains a common and forceful means of denunciation. The modern equivilent would be “son of a (not-nice word for a female dog).”
Galatians 5:11-12- Paul wishes that the false teachers in the church would castrate themselves.
Phillipians 3:8- Paul compares his pre-Christian life to fesces.
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WilT
Guest
Sorry juliamagor still not buying it. Remember to stick with the topic of Jesus laughing. I’m not questioning whether or not Jesus asked loaded questions. Jesus laughing is not in the scriptures. Whether He laughed outside of the written word will never know. My guess He did but it was still not a topic of teaching or a teaching moment. You can create all the scenarios you like but for the time beying He didn’t laugh.
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on_the_hill
Guest
Well…he already knew all the punchlines, so…
Like, maybe Peter told a joke about something that happened to James, and it didn’t go over so well, and he says, “I guess you had to be there.”
And Jesus says, “I was. That’s the part of all this you keep forgetting.”
Like, maybe Peter told a joke about something that happened to James, and it didn’t go over so well, and he says, “I guess you had to be there.”
And Jesus says, “I was. That’s the part of all this you keep forgetting.”
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WilT
Guest
:ehh::yawn:
:dts:your **‘bathroom humor’ **idea needs to be flushed down the toilet Juliamajor
:dts:your **‘bathroom humor’ **idea needs to be flushed down the toilet Juliamajor
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Abu
Guest
Peter told a joke? Get real.
State chapter and verse – looks totally concocted, like much of the comments so far offered.
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WilT
Guest
pretty lame! lolO.k. Ya got me. I concocted it on the spot.
But it’s pretty good, right?
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