Complete Bible Study Guide
What Does the Bible Say About Honoring Parents?
12 Scripture references with full text and commentary
Understanding Honoring Parents in the Bible
Discover 13 powerful Bible verses about honoring parents. Study what Scripture teaches about this essential love & relationships topic.
Top 10 Verses About Honoring Parents
- 1Exodus 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 - 2Exodus 21:17
“And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death. curseth: or, revileth”
KJV - 3Leviticus 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 - 4Deuteronomy 5:16
“Honour 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.”
KJV - 5Deuteronomy 21:18
“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:”
KJV - 6Proverbs 20:20
“Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness. lamp: or, candle”
KJV - 7Proverbs 23:22
“Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.”
KJV - 8Proverbs 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
- 10
Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Honoring 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 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.”
“Honour 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.”
“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:”
“Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness. lamp: or, candle”
“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 Honoring Parents? (4 Verses)
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.”
“Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)”
“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
“Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.”
How to Study What the Bible Says About Honoring Parents
- 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
Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about honoring parents. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.
- 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
Memorise at least one key verse about honoring 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 honoring 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 honoring parents needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.
Share what you have learned about honoring 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 honoring 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 Honoring Parents?
You have studied 12 verses about honoring parents. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.