What does the Bible say about mother in laws?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible calls believers to honor marriage, speak graciously, and pursue peace and faithful love within extended family relationships, including with mothers-in-law. Ruth 1:16-18 portrays remarkable covenant loyalty between Ruth and Naomi, showing that family bonds can be marked by sacrificial devotion and faith in the Lord. Matthew 8:14-15 notes Jesus’ compassion toward Peter’s mother-in-law, while Ephesians 4:29 and Matthew 7:12 command words and conduct that build others up and treat them as we would wish to be treated. Marriage establishes a new primary household bond, as Matthew 10:34-36 and Mark 10:7 acknowledge that family relationships can be difficult, yet Christians should seek holiness, truth, patience, and peace rather than resentment.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Matthew 10:34-36
[34] "Don't think that I came to send peace on the earth. I didn't come to send peace, but a sword. [35] For I came to set a man at odds against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. [36] A man's foes will be those of his own household.
- Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for building up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.
- Matthew 7:12
Therefore whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets.
- Ruth 1:16-18
[16] Ruth said, "Don't entreat me to leave you, and to return from following after you, for where you go, I will go; and where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God; [17] where you die, will I die, and there will I be buried: Yahweh do so to me, and more also, if anything but death part you and me." [18] When she saw that she was steadfastly minded to go with her, she left off speaking to her.
- Ephesians 6:1-4
[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.
- Matthew 19:9
I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and he who marries her when she is divorced commits adultery."
- 1 Timothy 5:13
Besides, they also learn to be idle, going about from house to house. Not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.
- Matthew 8:14-15
[14] When Jesus came into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother lying sick with a fever. [15] He touched her hand, and the fever left her. She got up and served him.
- Mark 10:7
For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will join to his wife,
- Psalms 27:1
> Yahweh is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? Yahweh is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?
Related topics
Go deeper
Ask Explain Bible AI about mother in laws and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.
Ask what the Bible says about mother in laws