Greek word · G6017

διαχλευάζω

diachleuazō

to deride

To jeer at, scoff at, ridicule openly. It is a strengthened form of chleuazō (traditional Strong's G5512), "to mock, make a joke of". The prefix dia- adds intensity and thoroughness.

Appears once in the Greek New Testament. · Updated November 07, 2026

What it means

δια-χλευάζω, intensive of χλευάζω,

to scoff, mock:

(a) with accusative;

(b) absol., Acts 2:13.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Acts 2:13

Range of meaning: To jeer at, scoff at, ridicule openly. It is a strengthened form of chleuazō (traditional Strong's G5512), "to mock, make a joke of". The prefix dia- adds intensity and thoroughness.
Against the English: "Mocked" or "mocking" (KJV, BSB, WEB, YLT) is accurate. It may be slightly too mild for the contemptuous tone of the compound.
Used elsewhere in the period: The compound appears in classical and later Greek prose, including Demosthenes and Polybius, for open derision. Luke uses the simple verb in Acts 17:32, where some Athenians "scoffed" when Paul spoke of resurrection.

Where it appears

Acts · 1

Acts 2:13 διαχλευάζοντες mocking

But others mocked them and said, “They are drunk on new wine!”

Here: Present participle: "jeering" while they spoke. The prefix dia- strengthens the simple verb chleuazō ("to scoff"), so the sense is open, contemptuous ridicule rather than a mild joke. The mockers are not giving a sincere diagnosis. They are waving the event away.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.