The Importance of Honoring Your Father and Mother
Respecting your parents is a classic commandment that’s been around forever and means a lot in every culture. The Bible has a bunch of verses that really highlight how vital this is. This piece puts together 50 verses from the Bible about honoring your parents, grouped under different themes.
The Commandment to Honor Your Parents
The commandment to honor your father and mother is a central tenet in the Bible, underscoring the foundational role of family in spiritual and social life.
- Exodus 20:12: “Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.”
- Deuteronomy 5:16: “Honor thy father and thy mother, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.”
- Ephesians 6:2-3: “Honor thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.”
Proverbs on Honoring Parents
The book of Proverbs offers wisdom and practical advice on honoring your father and mother.
- Proverbs 1:8: “My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother.”
- Proverbs 6:20: “My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother.”
- Proverbs 23:22: “Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.”
Honoring Your Parents: A Blessing
Honoring your parents brings blessings and a long life, as the Bible promises.
- Exodus 20:12: “Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.”
- Deuteronomy 5:16: “Honor thy father and thy mother, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.”
- Proverbs 3:1-2: “My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.”
Examples of Honoring Parents in the Bible
Several biblical figures exemplify the principle of honoring their parents.
- Genesis 47:12: “And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his father’s household, with bread, according to their families.”
- Ruth 1:16-17: “And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.”
- John 19:26-27: “When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.”
Commandments and Promises
The commandment to honor your father and mother is not just a rule, but comes with promises of well-being and longevity.
- Ephesians 6:2-3: “Honor thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.”
- Colossians 3:20: “Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.”
- Deuteronomy 27:16: “Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.”
Parental Guidance and Respect
The Bible emphasizes respecting and following the guidance of parents.
- Proverbs 1:8-9: “My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.”
- Proverbs 15:20: “A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.”
- Proverbs 30:17: “The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.”
Warnings Against Disrespect in Old Testament Laws
The Bible also provides stern warnings against disrespecting one’s parents.
- Leviticus 20:9: “For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him.”
- Proverbs 20:20: “Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.”
- Deuteronomy 21:18-21: “If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place; And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.”
The Role of Parents and Children in Mutual Respect
The relationship between parents and children is built on mutual respect, as highlighted in the Bible.
- Ephesians 6:4: “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
- Colossians 3:21: “Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.”
- 1 Timothy 5:4: “But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to show piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.”
Jesus’ Teachings on Honoring your Father and Mother
Jesus emphasized honoring parents and fulfilling one’s duties towards them.
- Matthew 15:4: “For God commanded, saying, Honor thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.”
- Mark 7:10: “For Moses said, Honor thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death.”
- Luke 18:20: “Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor thy father and thy mother.”
Obeying Parents in the Lord
Children obeying their parents is seen as an act of reverence for God.
- Ephesians 6:1: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.”
- Colossians 3:20: “Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.”
- Proverbs 6:20-22: “My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.”
Honoring Parents in the Old Age
Respect and care for parents continue into their old age, reflecting lifelong honor.
- 1 Timothy 5:8: “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”
- Proverbs 19:26: “He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.”
- Proverbs 23:24-25: “The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.”
Conclusion
Honoring your father and mother is a profound and essential commandment that the Bible emphasizes repeatedly. It is more than a simple act of obedience; it is a demonstration of respect, gratitude, and love. This timeless principle fosters strong family bonds and promises blessings, well-being, and longevity. These 50 Bible verses highlight the importance of honoring our parents in all aspects of life.