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καταγελάω

katageláō

G2606 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To laugh at, to deride, to mock; primarily, to express laughter toward someone with the intent of ridiculing or belittling them. The term emphasizes a public or social aspect of laughter that intentionally targets another, often leading to their humiliation or the invalidation of their claims. It can be used for both mild ridicule and more severe forms of social mockery.

Semantic Range

to laugh at, to deride, to mock, to ridicule, to scorn by laughter, to treat with contempt by laughter

Root / Etymology

From the preposition κατά ('down, against, in the sense of opposition') + the verb γελάω ('to laugh'). The compound form intensifies the root sense of laughter, focusing laughter against someone or something.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical Greek, καταγελάω appears in writers such as Herodotus, Plato, and Xenophon, most commonly used for actions of open mockery or derision, particularly in social or political contexts. In the Hellenistic and Koine periods, it retains this sense but becomes relatively rare, appearing in a handful of Septuagint and early Christian texts for scoffing or overt contempt. In the New Testament, the verb occurs sparingly, generally describing the derision experienced by individuals making extraordinary claims or performing unexpected acts (e.g., the reaction to Jesus raising the dead in the Synoptic Gospels). Standard English translations frequently render it 'to laugh at,' 'to mock,' or 'to ridicule,' but these do not always convey the specific Greek nuance of a collective, directed laughter carrying social implications of shame or discredit. The verb differs from simple forms like γελάω (to laugh), as it requires an object and a negative social function. There is a marked distinction between καταγελάω (to laugh at/ridicule) and σκῶπτω (to jeer, to scoff), the former focusing more on derisive laughter, the latter on spoken taunt or insult.

Root Family

καταγελάω (katagelaō) — to laugh at, to mock, to ridicule

Root καταγελ- to laugh, to mock, to ridicule

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2606-01 κατεγέλων kategelon V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL they laughed they were laughing at they were laughing at 3

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2606-01 Matthew 9:24 κατεγέλων kategelon V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL they laughed at they were laughing at they were laughing at
G2606-01 Mark 5:40 κατεγέλων kategelon V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL they laughed they were laughing at they were laughing at
G2606-01 Luke 8:53 κατεγέλων kategelon V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL they were laughing at they were laughing at they were laughing at
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