"And indeed, messengers were mocked before you, then those who mocked them were surrounded"—meaning: those who belied them and mocked them—"by that which they used to mock," meaning: the punishment which they used to deny.
﴿وَلَقَدِ اسْتُهْزِئَ بِرُسُلٍ مِنْ قَبْلِكَ فحاق بالذين سخروا مِنْهُم﴾ أَيْ: كَذَّبُوهُمْ وَاسْتَهْزَءُوا بِهِمْ ﴿مَا كَانُوا بِهِ يستهزءون﴾ يَعْنِي: الْعَذَابَ الَّذِي كَانُوا يُكَذِّبُونَ بِهِ.
