In both the Old and New Testaments, the Bible emphasizes the importance of honoring one’s parents. This is one of the Ten Commandments, and it is echoed throughout scripture as a fundamental principle of a righteous life. Honoring parents is not just about respect or obedience; it also reflects the relationship between God and His people. Just as God instructs His followers to honor Him, the command to honor parents serves as a practical outworking of this principle within the family structure.
Honor is not a mere external gesture but an internal attitude of the heart. Honoring our parents entails showing them respect, love, and obedience, especially in their old age. It also means understanding their role in God’s design for the family, as parents are given a special responsibility to nurture, guide, and teach their children.
In this article, we’ll explore 46 scripture passages that speak to the importance of honoring parents. These scriptures offer guidance on how we are to respect and care for our parents, as well as the spiritual and practical benefits that come from obeying this command. Whether you are a child, a parent, or an adult reflecting on your relationship with your own parents, these scriptures will provide valuable insights into what it means to honor parents in a biblical way.
46 Scriptures on Honoring Parents
1. Exodus 20:12
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.”
This command is one of the Ten Commandments and sets the foundation for all subsequent teachings on honoring parents.
2. Ephesians 6:1-3
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother—which is the first commandment with a promise—’so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.'”
Paul highlights the connection between honoring parents and receiving blessings in life.
3. Colossians 3:20
“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.”
This scripture emphasizes that obedience to parents is not just a family matter, but a spiritual act of worship.
4. Proverbs 1:8-9
“Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.”
Here, wisdom from parents is likened to valuable adornments, highlighting how their guidance is a precious gift.
5. Proverbs 4:1-2
“Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching.”
A father’s teaching is presented as a vital source of wisdom, to be cherished and followed.
6. Leviticus 19:3
“Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and you shall keep my Sabbaths: I am the Lord your God.”
This verse underscores the need to show reverence for both mother and father, linking it to obedience to God’s commands.
7. Deuteronomy 5:16
“Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.”
This passage repeats the commandment found in Exodus 20, again connecting the honoring of parents to blessings in the land.
8. Proverbs 23:22
“Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.”
This verse calls for honoring one’s parents throughout their lives, especially when they grow older.
9. Matthew 15:4-6
“For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or his mother, ‘What you would have gained from me is given to God,’ he need not honor his father.’”
Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for their legalistic approach, reinforcing the importance of honoring parents.
10. Mark 7:10-13
“For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or mother, Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban (that is, given to God)—then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother.'”
This passage expands on the previous one, where Jesus calls out hypocritical religious practices that negate honoring parents.
11. Proverbs 6:20-21
“My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not your mother’s teaching. Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck.”
This scripture emphasizes the lifelong value of parental guidance and wisdom.
12. Proverbs 15:20
“A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother.”
The response to parental wisdom can bring joy or sorrow, depending on the child’s attitude.
13. Proverbs 17:6
“Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.”
This verse celebrates the generational blessing that comes with honoring parents and the wisdom of elders.
14. Deuteronomy 21:18-21
“If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son, who will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother, and, though they discipline him, will not listen to them, then his father and his mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his city…”
A stern reminder of the consequences of dishonoring parents, highlighting the seriousness of this command.
15. Proverbs 19:26
“He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother is a son who brings shame and reproach.”
Dishonoring parents is associated with shame, showing the destructive effects of rebellion.
16. Exodus 21:17
“Whoever kidnaps a man, whether he sells him or is found in his possession, shall be put to death.”
This verse emphasizes the sanctity of life and personal dignity, extended to how one treats parents.
17. Genesis 28:6-7
“Now Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him to Paddan-aram to take a wife from there, and that as he blessed him, he directed him, ‘You must not take a wife from the Canaanite women.'”
Esau’s dishonoring of his parents by marrying outside their faith is condemned.
18. 1 Timothy 5:4
“But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.”
This verse highlights the responsibility of children to care for their parents, especially in old age.
19. 1 Timothy 5:8
“But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
Taking care of one’s parents is seen as a fundamental expression of faith.
20. Psalm 127:3-5
“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them.”
This passage celebrates the blessing of children, urging them to honor and respect their parents.
21. Isaiah 45:10
“Woe to him who strives with him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots! Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’ or ‘Your work has no handles’?”
An analogy illustrating the importance of accepting and respecting authority, including parental authority.
22. Hebrews 12:9
“Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?”
The relationship between earthly parents and children is mirrored in the relationship between God and His children.
23. Matthew 19:19
“Honor your father and mother, and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Here, Jesus restates the commandment to honor parents, linking it with loving others.
24. Luke 18:20
“You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’”
Jesus reinforces the importance of honoring one’s parents, listing it alongside other moral commandments.
25. Proverbs 23:24
“The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.”
Children who honor their parents bring them joy, as they reflect the wisdom and respect instilled by their parents.
26. Proverbs 29:15
“The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.”
Discipline and correction from parents are essential in teaching children the way of wisdom.
27. Proverbs 10:1
“A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.”
This verse stresses the importance of a child’s behavior in bringing joy or sorrow to the parents.
28. Proverbs 12:1
“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.”
Honoring parents often involves accepting correction and instruction.
29. Romans 13:1-2
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.”
This passage speaks to the importance of respecting authority, which includes honoring parents as God’s appointed authority in the home.
30. Exodus 21:15
“Whoever kidnaps a person and sells him, and anyone found in possession of him, shall be put to death.”
A further reinforcement of the sanctity of the parent-child relationship.
31. 1 Peter 2:17
“Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.”
Honor is not just for parents but extends to all people, showing the importance of respect in all relationships.
32. Proverbs 20:20
“If one curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be put out in utter darkness.”
Dishonoring parents leads to spiritual darkness and separation from God’s blessings.
33. Isaiah 66:13
“As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.”
A tender picture of maternal love that mirrors God’s comfort for His people.
34. Jeremiah 35:18-19
“But to the house of the Rechabites Jeremiah said, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Because you have obeyed the command of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts and done all that he commanded you, therefore thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Jonadab the son of Rechab shall never lack a man to stand before me.’”
Honoring parents brings long-lasting rewards and blessings.
35. Romans 12:10
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”
Honor is a key feature of loving relationships, including between children and parents.
36. Luke 2:51
“And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.”
Even Jesus submitted to His earthly parents, setting an example of honoring them.
37. Psalm 78:5-6
“He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children.”
Parents have a sacred duty to pass down wisdom and teaching to the next generation.
38. Malachi 4:6
“And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”
A promise of reconciliation between parents and children.
39. Deuteronomy 6:6-7
“And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down and when you rise.”
A call to parents to teach their children God’s commandments, thus fostering an environment where children can honor their parents.
40. Psalm 103:13
“As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.”
This verse highlights the parental love and compassion that should be present in the home.
41. Proverbs 31:28-29
“Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.'”
Honoring a mother includes praising her and recognizing her hard work.
42. Proverbs 1:7
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Honoring parents is closely tied to having the fear of the Lord and seeking His wisdom.
43. 2 Timothy 3:2
“For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy.”
A warning against the evil of disobedience to parents, which is considered a sign of moral decay.
44. Proverbs 14:26
“In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge.”
This verse links honoring God with honoring parents, providing a secure and blessed future.
45. Matthew 5:24
“Leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”
While not directly about parents, this scripture emphasizes reconciliation and peace, principles that should guide how we treat our parents.
46. James 1:19
“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.”
Honoring parents involves cultivating a spirit of patience and attentiveness, as demonstrated by this verse.
Conclusion
The Bible teaches that honoring parents is essential for living a godly life and experiencing the blessings of God. The 46 scriptures we’ve explored here emphasize that honoring parents is not just about obeying their commands but also respecting their wisdom, loving them in their old age, and living in harmony within the family. These principles transcend time and culture, offering timeless wisdom for families today.
By embracing the scriptural teachings on honoring parents, we align ourselves with God’s divine design for family life. Whether we are children or adults, the call to honor our parents is a reminder of the importance of respect, love, and obedience in nurturing strong relationships and living out God’s will for our lives.
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