Complete Bible Study Guide

What Does the Bible Say About Disobeying Parents?

12 Scripture references with full text and commentary

Understanding Disobeying Parents in the Bible

Explore what the Bible says about disobeying parents. This collection of 12 key Scripture passages reveals God's wisdom and guidance on this important theme.

12
Total Verses
8
Old Testament
4
New Testament

Top 10 Verses About Disobeying Parents

  1. 1
    Exodus 20:12
    Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
    KJV
  2. 2
    Exodus 21:15
    And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.
    KJV
  3. 3
    Exodus 21:17
    And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death. curseth: or, revileth
    KJV
  4. 4
    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.
    KJV
  5. 5
    Deuteronomy 27:16
    Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.
    KJV
  6. 6
    Proverbs 22:6
    Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Train: or, Catechise in: Heb. in his way
    KJV
  7. 7
    Proverbs 23:22
    Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.
    KJV
  8. 8
    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. the valley: or, the brook
    KJV
  9. 9
    John 3:16
    For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
    KJV
  10. 10
    Romans 3:23
    For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
    KJV

Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Disobeying Parents? (8 Verses)

Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.
And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death. curseth: or, revileth
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.
Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Train: or, Catechise in: Heb. in his way
Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.
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. the valley: or, the brook

New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Disobeying Parents? (4 Verses)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

How to Study What the Bible Says About Disobeying Parents

  1. 1

    Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.

  2. 2

    Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about disobeying parents. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.

  3. 3

    Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.

  4. 4

    Memorise at least one key verse about disobeying parents and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.

Practical Application

Studying what the Bible says about disobeying parents is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:

  • Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on disobeying parents needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.

  • Share what you have learned about disobeying parents with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.

  • Pray through the key verses about disobeying parents, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.

How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Disobeying Parents?

You have studied 12 verses about disobeying parents. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Bible say about disobeying parents?
Explore what the Bible says about disobeying parents. This collection of 12 key Scripture passages reveals God's wisdom and guidance on this important theme. The Bible contains 12 key verses about disobeying parents spanning both Old and New Testaments.
How many Bible verses about disobeying parents are there?
There are 12 key Bible verses about disobeying parents compiled in this study guide, drawn from books across both the Old and New Testaments.
What is the best verse about disobeying parents?
One of the most well-known and frequently cited verses about disobeying parents is Exodus 20:12 — "Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee."
Where in the Bible does it talk about disobeying parents?
Disobeying Parents is discussed throughout the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. You can find 12 references to this topic across multiple books including the Psalms, Proverbs, the Gospels, and the Epistles.

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