100 Bible Verses about Joking

Proverbs 26:18-19 ESV / 273 helpful votes

Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”

Ephesians 5:4 ESV / 272 helpful votes

Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

Matthew 12:36 ESV / 210 helpful votes

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,

Ephesians 4:29 ESV / 128 helpful votes

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Ephesians 5:1-33 ESV / 120 helpful votes

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. ...

Matthew 24:12 ESV / 71 helpful votes

And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.

1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV / 69 helpful votes

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

Proverbs 17:22 ESV / 59 helpful votes

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 10:23 ESV / 59 helpful votes

Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.

Galatians 6:7 ESV / 50 helpful votes

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.

James 5:12 ESV / 48 helpful votes

But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

1 John 4:20 ESV / 46 helpful votes

If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV / 44 helpful votes

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Colossians 3:8-9 ESV / 42 helpful votes

But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices

Luke 6:45 ESV / 40 helpful votes

The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Psalm 119:105 ESV / 37 helpful votes

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Romans 12:21 ESV / 34 helpful votes

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Colossians 3:17 ESV / 33 helpful votes

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Philippians 4:8 ESV / 32 helpful votes

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Proverbs 13:16 ESV / 24 helpful votes

Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly.

Ecclesiastes 3:4 ESV / 23 helpful votes

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

Proverbs 26:19 ESV / 23 helpful votes

Is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”

Proverbs 14:13-14 ESV / 22 helpful votes

Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief. The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways.

Jeremiah 24:9 ESV / 20 helpful votes

I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a reproach, a byword, a taunt, and a curse in all the places where I shall drive them.

Psalm 9:10 ESV / 18 helpful votes

And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.

1 John 2:1-29 ESV / 17 helpful votes

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: ...

2 Kings 1:1-18 ESV / 16 helpful votes

After the death of Ahab, Moab rebelled against Israel. Now Ahaziah fell through the lattice in his upper chamber in Samaria, and lay sick; so he sent messengers, telling them, “Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover from this sickness.” But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Now therefore thus says the Lord, You shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.’” So Elijah went. The messengers returned to the king, and he said to them, “Why have you returned?” ...

Colossians 3:8 ESV / 15 helpful votes

But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

Ephesians 5:3 ESV / 15 helpful votes

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.

Matthew 5:33-37 ESV / 15 helpful votes

“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.

Proverbs 12:18 ESV / 15 helpful votes

There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 13 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Romans 12:2 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Proverbs 14:9 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Fools mock at the guilt offering, but the upright enjoy acceptance.

Psalm 141:3 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!

Ecclesiastes 1:1-18 ESV / 11 helpful votes

The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun? A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever. The sun rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it rises. ...

Proverbs 18:21 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

Exodus 20:7 ESV / 11 helpful votes

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

1 Timothy 2:1-15 ESV / 10 helpful votes

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, ...

Ephesians 5:1 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.

Proverbs 26:18 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death

Proverbs 21:23 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 9 helpful votes

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

James 3:6 ESV / 9 helpful votes

And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.

James 1:26 ESV / 9 helpful votes

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.

2 Timothy 2:3 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

Proverbs 15:1-33 ESV / 9 helpful votes

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. A fool despises his father's instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent. ...

Proverbs 12:23-13:16 ESV / 9 helpful votes

A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly. The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor. Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, but the diligent man will get precious wealth. ...

Psalm 22:1-31 ESV / 9 helpful votes

To the choirmaster: according to The Doe of the Dawn. A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest. Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame. ...

Colossians 4:6 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Colossians 3:5 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

Ephesians 5:20 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Ephesians 5:9 ESV / 8 helpful votes

(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true),

Ephesians 5:3-4 ESV / 8 helpful votes

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

Ephesians 4:25 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

2 Timothy 2:6 ESV / 7 helpful votes

It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.

2 Timothy 2:2 ESV / 7 helpful votes

And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

Philippians 4:6 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Ephesians 5:17 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Ephesians 5:13 ESV / 7 helpful votes

But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible,

Ephesians 5:5 ESV / 7 helpful votes

For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Ephesians 4:32 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Ephesians 4:24 ESV / 7 helpful votes

And to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Ephesians 4:2 ESV / 7 helpful votes

With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

Ephesians 4:1-32 ESV / 7 helpful votes

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ...

1 Corinthians 5:8 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Romans 8:2 ESV / 7 helpful votes

For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

Acts 10:2 ESV / 7 helpful votes

A devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God.

John 16:33 ESV / 7 helpful votes

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

John 3:3 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Luke 1:37 ESV / 7 helpful votes

For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Matthew 5:22 ESV / 7 helpful votes

But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.

Matthew 5:16 ESV / 7 helpful votes

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 5:13 ESV / 7 helpful votes

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.

Proverbs 27:1-27 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips. A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty, but a fool's provocation is heavier than both. Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy? Better is open rebuke than hidden love. ...

Proverbs 25:1-28 ESV / 7 helpful votes

These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out. As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable. Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel; take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness. ...

Proverbs 15:21 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead.

Proverbs 15:2 ESV / 7 helpful votes

The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.

1 Kings 18:27 ESV / 7 helpful votes

And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, “Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.”

Genesis 19:14 ESV / 7 helpful votes

So Lot went out and said to his sons-in-law, who were to marry his daughters, “Up! Get out of this place, for the Lord is about to destroy the city.” But he seemed to his sons-in-law to be jesting.

1 John 2:15 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

Ephesians 6:1-24 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, ...

Romans 1:28 ESV / 6 helpful votes

And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.

Mark 6:1-56 ESV / 6 helpful votes

He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. ...

Ephesians 4:4 ESV / 5 helpful votes

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—

Ephesians 4:3 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

2 Corinthians 2:17 ESV / 5 helpful votes

For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.

Matthew 5:2 ESV / 5 helpful votes

And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

1 John 2:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

James 1:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,

Colossians 4:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

Ephesians 5:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

2 Corinthians 1:12 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.

Romans 1:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures,

John 10:8 ESV / 4 helpful votes

All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.

John 3:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”

Revelation 1:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.

Philippians 4:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes

I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord.

1 Peter 2:1-25 ESV / 2 helpful votes

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ...

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