Complete Bible Study Guide

What Does the Bible Say About Rebellious Children?

13 Scripture references with full text and commentary

Understanding Rebellious Children in the Bible

Discover 15 powerful Bible verses about rebellious children. Study what Scripture teaches about this essential love & relationships topic.

13
Total Verses
9
Old Testament
4
New Testament

Top 10 Verses About Rebellious Children

  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
    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
  3. 3
    Deuteronomy 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
  4. 4
    Proverbs 13:24
    He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
    KJV
  5. 5
    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
  6. 6
    Proverbs 22:15
    Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
    KJV
  7. 7
    Proverbs 29:15
    The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
    KJV
  8. 8
    Proverbs 29:17
    Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
    KJV
  9. 9
    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
  10. 10
    Luke 15:11
    And he said, A certain man had two sons:
    KJV

Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Rebellious Children? (9 Verses)

Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
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.
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:
He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
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
Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
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 Rebellious Children? (4 Verses)

And he said, A certain man had two sons:
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.
Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

How to Study What the Bible Says About Rebellious Children

  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 rebellious children. 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 rebellious children 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 rebellious children 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 rebellious children needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.

  • Share what you have learned about rebellious children 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 rebellious children, 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 Rebellious Children?

You have studied 13 verses about rebellious children. 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 rebellious children?
Discover 15 powerful Bible verses about rebellious children. Study what Scripture teaches about this essential love & relationships topic. The Bible contains 13 key verses about rebellious children spanning both Old and New Testaments.
How many Bible verses about rebellious children are there?
There are 13 key Bible verses about rebellious children compiled in this study guide, drawn from books across both the Old and New Testaments.
What is the best verse about rebellious children?
One of the most well-known and frequently cited verses about rebellious children 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 rebellious children?
Rebellious Children is discussed throughout the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. You can find 13 references to this topic across multiple books including the Psalms, Proverbs, the Gospels, and the Epistles.

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