What does the Bible say about honoring the parents?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible commands us to honor our parents with reverence, obedience in the Lord, grateful care, and a teachable spirit, while recognizing that God alone receives ultimate allegiance. In Exodus 20:12 and Deuteronomy 5:16, honoring father and mother is part of God’s moral law and is joined to a promise of blessing. Ephesians 6:1-3 calls children to obey and honor their parents in the Lord, while Ephesians 6:4 also requires fathers to nurture rather than provoke their children. Proverbs commends listening to parental wisdom, and Mark 7:10 rebukes religious excuses for neglecting family duty. Even where parents fail, believers are to show fitting respect without obeying commands that contradict Christ.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Deuteronomy 5:16
"Honor your father and your mother, as Yahweh your God commanded you; that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you, in the land which Yahweh your God gives you.
- Ephesians 6:1-24
[1] Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. [2] "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with a promise: [3] "that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth." [4] You fathers, don't provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. [5] Servants, be obedient to those who according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ; [6] not in the way of service only when eyes are on you, as men-pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; [7] with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men; [8] knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive the same again from the Lord, whether he is bound or free. [9] You masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with him. [10] Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. [11] Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. [12] For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world's rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. [13] Therefore, put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. [14] Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, [15] and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of peace; [16] above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. [17] And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; [18] with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints: [19] on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Gospel, [20] for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. [21] But that you also may know my affairs, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will make known to you all things; [22] whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our state, and that he may comfort your hearts. [23] Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. [24] Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love. Amen.
- Exodus 20:12
"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which Yahweh your God gives you.
- Proverbs 23:22
Listen to your father who gave you life, And don't despise your mother when she is old.
- Ephesians 6:2
"Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with a promise:
- Mark 7:10
For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother;' and, 'He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death.'
- Proverbs 29:15
The rod of correction gives wisdom, But a child left to himself causes shame to his mother.
- Exodus 21:15
"Anyone who attacks his father or his mother shall be surely put to death.
- Leviticus 19:3
"'Each one of you shall respect his mother and his father. You shall keep my Sabbaths. I am Yahweh your God.
- Exodus 20:1-26
[1] God spoke all these words, saying, [2] "I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. [3] You shall have no other gods before me. [4] "You shall not make for yourselves an idol, nor any image of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: [5] you shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them, for I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate me, [6] and showing loving kindness to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. [7] "You shall not take the name of Yahweh your God in vain, for Yahweh will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. [8] "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. [9] You shall labor six days, and do all your work, [10] but the seventh day is a Sabbath to Yahweh your God. You shall not do any work in it, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your man-servant, nor your maid-servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates; [11] for in six days Yahweh made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore Yahweh blessed the Sabbath day, and made it holy. [12] "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which Yahweh your God gives you. [13] "You shall not murder. [14] "You shall not commit adultery. [15] "You shall not steal. [16] "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. [17] "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's." [18] All the people perceived the thunderings, the lightnings, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking. When the people saw it, they trembled, and stayed at a distance. [19] They said to Moses, "Speak with us yourself, and we will listen; but don't let God speak with us, lest we die." [20] Moses said to the people, "Don't be afraid, for God has come to test you, and that his fear may be before you, that you won't sin." [21] The people stayed at a distance, and Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was. [22] Yahweh said to Moses, "This is what you shall tell the children of Israel: 'You yourselves have seen that I have talked with you from heaven. [23] You shall most certainly not make alongside of me gods of silver, or gods of gold for yourselves. [24] You shall make an altar of earth for me, and shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace-offerings, your sheep and your oxen. In every place where I record my name I will come to you and I will bless you. [25] If you make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stones; for if you lift up your tool on it, you have polluted it. [26] Neither shall you go up by steps to my altar, that your nakedness may not be exposed to it.'
Related topics
Go deeper
Ask Explain Bible AI about honoring the parents and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.
Ask what the Bible says about honoring the parents