Did Jesus ever laugh?

Quick answer

Jesus’ laughter isn’t recorded in Scripture, but His playful use of humor suggests He shared in this deeply human experience. To imagine Jesus without laughter is to miss part of the beauty of His full humanity.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible doesn’t specifically record Jesus laughing, but joy, happiness, and laughter are all an important part of our human experience, and Jesus, although perfectly sinless, took on humanity (Hebrews 4:14-16). Additionally, some of His sermons made comedic points through the use of hyperbole such as Matthew 19:24 and Matthew 7:3-5. He also welcomed children into His presence (Matthew 19:14), who are often predisposed toward happiness and whose joy is often contagious. Additionally, rejoicing is an ending point for some of Jesus’ parables (Luke 15), and in Matthew 5:12 He says to be joyful and glad in spite of persecution. The strongest argument for Jesus experiencing laughter is that joy is a key part of His nature as both a divine and earthly being.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

Jesus ever laughing is not addressed in the Old Testament.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

Jesus’ use of hyperbole might be considered humorous by some. He used hyperbole in the sermon about the camel fitting through the eye of a needle (Matthew 19:24) and in the sermon on judgment (Matthew 7:3-5).
WChildren were drawn to Jesus, and Jesus stated that children should be able to run to Him unhindered (Matthew 19:14). Since children are often joyous and full of laughter, we can infer that Jesus’ interactions with them may have included both.
Jesus encourages us to “rejoice and be glad” (Matthew 5:12).
Jesus told parables that ended in rejoicing (Luke 15). In Luke 15:10, Jesus says, “there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
Hebrews 4:14-16 says: “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Jesus shared our humanity, and part of that humanity is experiencing laughter.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Some believe Jesus never laughed. Many people even prefer to picture Christ as a stoic or silent Savior. The root of this perception may be because popular portraits of Him depict Him broken on the cross or sternly administering to His followers. Because Jesus experienced every emotion that we experience today, He felt loneliness, rejection (Isaiah 53:3), anger (Mark 11:15), sadness (John 11:35), and anguish (Matthew 26:42). We can infer, then, that He experienced other human emotions, such as laughter and joy. To deny the likelihood that Jesus laughed or ever had joy bubble up from His spirit is to risk denying a significant part of His humanity.

Laughter is a profoundly human experience and can be a beautiful, joyful thing. Laughter can strengthen our relationships, lighten our burdens, and reflect the hope we have in Christ. While our humor should never be crude or dishonoring (Ephesians 5:4), it can be a reflection of God’s goodness when it uplifts others, brings healing, and expresses gratitude for the joy He gives. When we embrace laughter rightly, we mirror the fullness of humanity Jesus shared with us and point others to the life He came to bring (John 10:10).

UNDERSTAND

Though He was fully God, Jesus took on humanity and experienced human emotions.
Scripture shows that Jesus felt many human sentiments, so we can infer that he also felt joy and laughed.
Jesus’ use of hyperbole and His interactions with children further make it likely that He laughed.

REFLECT

How is your view of God impacted by thinking about the gift of laughter and joy He gave humanity?
What impact does it have on your worship that Jesus took on humanity?
When you think about Jesus’ time on earth, what characteristics stand out to you most?

ENGAGE

If laughter and joy are part of Jesus’ humanity, how should that shape the way we reflect His character in our relationships and communities?
What does Jesus’ likely laughter teach us about the balance between holiness, seriousness, and joy in the Christian life?
How might embracing the joy of Christ help us witness more effectively to a world that often views Christianity as rigid or joyless?