Strong’s Greek 3679 describes the verbal act of casting reproach, reviling, or upbraiding. Across its nine New Testament occurrences the term frames a moral confrontation: fallen humanity hurls scorn at God and His people, while the Lord may sternly expose unbelief yet never with the petty spirit that marks human derision. Each setting draws attention to faith, repentance, and the cost of discipleship.

Old Testament Background

Reproach is a recurring motif in the Psalms (“The insults of those who insult You have fallen on me,” Psalm 69:9) and the Prophets (Isaiah 51:7, Jeremiah 15:15). The New Testament writers treat these earlier cries as prophetic foreshadowings of Messiah’s experience (Romans 15:3), demonstrating a unified biblical storyline in which the righteous suffer contempt yet are ultimately vindicated.

Reproach Directed at Christ

1. By criminals and bystanders at the cross
• Matthew 27:44; Mark 15:32 – Even the condemned criminals “heaped insults on Him,” revealing the depth of human hostility toward divine grace. Their mockery fulfills Psalm 22:7-8 and underscores the substitutionary nature of the crucifixion: the Holy One absorbs the shame of sinners.

2. By unrepentant cities and unbelieving disciples
• Matthew 11:20 – Jesus “began to denounce the cities” that had witnessed miracles yet refused to repent, showing that His rebuke aims at awakening rather than humiliating.
• Mark 16:14 – He “rebuked them for their unbelief” after the resurrection. The risen Lord’s reproach is restorative, preparing the apostles for mission.

Reproach toward Disciples and Prophets

1. Promise in the Beatitudes
• Matthew 5:11 “Blessed are you when people insult you… because of Me.”
• Luke 6:22 “Blessed are you when people hate you… exclude you and insult you… on account of the Son of Man.”

Jesus normalizes reproach as a badge of fidelity, coupling it with eschatological reward.

2. Apostolic teaching
• 1 Peter 4:14 “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”

Peter presents reproach as evidence of the believer’s union with Christ and the indwelling Spirit, transforming shame into honor.

Divine Generosity Versus Human Reproach

• James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”

God’s giving is the antithesis of human reproach. While people often shame those who ask, the Father welcomes petitioners. This verse assures believers that the Lord never mocks sincere seekers, encouraging bold prayer.

Christ’s Endurance and the Church’s Calling

• Romans 15:3 “For even Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written: ‘The insults of those who insult You have fallen on Me.’”

Paul cites Psalm 69 to present Christ as the model of self-denial for the sake of others. The church, following her Lord, is summoned to bear reproach in pursuit of unity and love.

Pastoral Application

1. Expect opposition. Faithfulness to the gospel will attract scorn; foreknowledge prevents disillusionment.
2. Respond with blessing (1 Peter 3:9). Reproach becomes a platform for witness when met with grace.
3. Seek wisdom without fear (James 1:5). The Lord’s open-handed generosity silences any lingering dread of divine reproach.
4. Fix hope on vindication. The beatitudes tie present insult to future reward, anchoring endurance in the coming kingdom.

Eschatological Reversal

Scripture promises that the reproach of God’s people will be removed (Isaiah 25:8; Revelation 21:4). The temporary shame believers endure links them to Christ’s sufferings; the glory to follow will forever eclipse the insults of this age.

Related Concepts

• Shame and honor dynamics
• Persecution for righteousness
• Divine rebuke versus human derision
• Participation in Christ’s sufferings
• Vindication at the resurrection