Re Christ laughing: It is difficult to get much idea of Christ's sense of humour from the English
translations in which his sayings are usually read. If you go back to the Greek (bearing in mind that
this is itself a translation from the Aramaic) you get more of an impression of a certain humour. For
example, in Mark's account of the discussion with the Syro-Phoenician woman whose daughter is
possessed by a demon, Mark has Jesus say, 'It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it
to the doggies' Mark uses the diminutive, kunarion, rather than the usual word for a dog, kuon. It's
bad enough to be called a dog, but to be called a doggie adds insult to injury. The woman picks it
up, and replies with three diminutives: 'Even the doggies under the table can eat the kiddies'
crummies.' Jesus seems to be touched by her wit, because he says, 'For saying that, you will get
your request.' Matthew - who clearly did not believe that Jesus ever laughed - edits this story
rather heavily, cutting out some of the diminutives and having Jesus say 'Woman, great is your
faith' - thus having Jesus respond to her faith rather than her humour.
I dare say the diligent enquirer - who would have to be expert in Greek and probably in Aramaic, to
surmise what may lie behind the Greek - could come up with an article on Jesus' sense of humour.
But it can't be done from the English.
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