Complete Bible Study Guide

What Does the Bible Say About Respecting Parents?

11 Scripture references with full text and commentary

Understanding Respecting Parents in the Bible

Explore what the Bible says about respecting parents. This collection of 11 key Scripture passages reveals God's wisdom and guidance on this important theme.

11
Total Verses
8
Old Testament
3
New Testament

Top 10 Verses About Respecting 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 21:17
    And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death. curseth: or, revileth
    KJV
  3. 3
    Deuteronomy 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
  4. 4
    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
  5. 5
    Proverbs 1:8
    My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
    KJV
  6. 6
    Proverbs 13:24
    He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
    KJV
  7. 7
    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
  8. 8
    Proverbs 29:15
    The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
    KJV
  9. 9
    Ephesians 6:1
    Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
    KJV
  10. 10
    Ephesians 6:4
    And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
    KJV

Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Respecting 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
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:
My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
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
The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.

New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Respecting Parents? (3 Verses)

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
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 Respecting 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 respecting 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 respecting 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 respecting 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 respecting parents needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.

  • Share what you have learned about respecting 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 respecting 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 Respecting Parents?

You have studied 11 verses about respecting 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 respecting parents?
Explore what the Bible says about respecting parents. This collection of 11 key Scripture passages reveals God's wisdom and guidance on this important theme. The Bible contains 11 key verses about respecting parents spanning both Old and New Testaments.
How many Bible verses about respecting parents are there?
There are 11 key Bible verses about respecting parents compiled in this study guide, drawn from books across both the Old and New Testaments.
What is the best verse about respecting parents?
One of the most well-known and frequently cited verses about respecting 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 respecting parents?
Respecting Parents is discussed throughout the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. You can find 11 references to this topic across multiple books including the Psalms, Proverbs, the Gospels, and the Epistles.

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