Mother's Day is a fitting time to obey "Honour thy father and thy mother" (Exodus 20:12) and to let a mother's children "arise up, and call her blessed" (Proverbs 31:28). Scripture praises a virtuous woman's strength and kindness (Proverbs 31:25-26, 30), remembers faithful mothers like Lois and Eunice (2 Timothy 1:5), and even pictures God's comfort like a mother's (Isaiah 66:13).
Looking for Bible verses for a Mother's Day card, a church reading, or a text to mom? These twelve King James passages are chosen for honoring mothers on the holiday: blessing her, thanking God for her, and remembering what Scripture says about a mother's influence. For a broader look at mothers in the Bible year-round, see our mothers page.
Call her blessed
1. Proverbs 31:28
"Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her."
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also praises her. A classic Mother's Day verse: honor spoken out loud.
2. Proverbs 31:25-26
"Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness."
Strength and honour are her clothing; she speaks with wisdom and kindness. Celebrate not only what mom does, but who she is.
3. Proverbs 31:30
"Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised."
Favour is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman that feareth the Lord shall be praised. The deepest Mother's Day compliment is spiritual.
4. Proverbs 31:10
"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies."
Who can find a virtuous woman? Her price is far above rubies. Scripture sets a high value on godly womanhood—fitting words for a card.
Honor and thankfulness
5. 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."
The fifth commandment: honour thy father and thy mother. Mother's Day is one practical way to keep a lifelong command.
6. Proverbs 23:22
"Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old."
Hearken to thy father, and despise not thy mother when she is old. Honour includes listening and valuing her voice as years pass.
7. Proverbs 23:25
"Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice."
Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice. Your life of wisdom is a gift back to mom.
8. 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."
Forsake not the law of thy mother; her teaching is an ornament of grace. Mother's Day can thank her for words that still guide you.
A mother's faith and God's care
9. 2 Timothy 1:5
"When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also."
Paul remembers the unfeigned faith that dwelt first in Timothy's grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. Faith often travels through a mother's life.
10. Isaiah 66:13
"As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem."
As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you. God borrows a mother's tenderness to describe His own care.
11. Psalms 127:3
"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward."
Children are an heritage of the Lord. Mother's Day also thanks God for the gift of children—and for the mothers who raise them.
12. Luke 2:51
"And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart."
Jesus went down to Nazareth and was subject unto His parents; Mary kept all these sayings in her heart. Even the Son of God honored His mother.
A short prayer
Father, thank You for mothers—for their labour, wisdom, comfort, and faith. Help me honour my mother in word and deed, not only on Mother's Day but every day. Bless the moms I love with strength, kindness, and the joy of being called blessed. Comfort those who grieve a mother or long to be one. In Jesus' name, amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
New to this method? See our Bible study guide or pick a Bible reading plan.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a good Bible verse for a Mother's Day card?
Proverbs 31:28 ("Her children arise up, and call her blessed"), Proverbs 31:25-26, and Exodus 20:12 are among the most-used Mother's Day Scriptures.
Where does the Bible say to honour your mother?
Exodus 20:12: "Honour thy father and thy mother." Proverbs 23:22 adds not to despise your mother when she is old.
What does the Bible say about a virtuous woman?
Proverbs 31 describes her strength, wisdom, kindness, and fear of the Lord (Proverbs 31:10, 25-26, 30). Her children and husband praise her (v. 28).
Are there Bible verses about a mother's faith?
Yes. 2 Timothy 1:5 names Lois and Eunice as the source of Timothy's sincere faith. Isaiah 66:13 compares God's comfort to a mother's.
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
Related: Bible verses about mothers · Bible verses about women · Bible verses about family · Bible verses about dad · Bible verses about gratitude
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