Scripture honors mothers as teachers and nurturers: a virtuous woman's children rise and call her blessed (Proverbs 31:28), God comforts as a mother comforts (Isaiah 66:13), and faith can dwell in a grandmother and mother before a child (2 Timothy 1:5). "Honour thy father and thy mother" (Exodus 20:12).
From Eve to Mary, the Bible treats motherhood as a calling of comfort, instruction, and legacy. These twelve King James passages celebrate mothers and mother-love—more focused than a general family page, and centered on the mom's role and honor.
Honor and bless her
1. Proverbs 31:25-28
"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. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her."
Strength and honour are her clothing; her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her.
2. 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."
Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land.
3. Proverbs 23:22-25
"Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old. Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice."
Despise not thy mother when she is old. A wise child makes a glad father and mother.
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.
A mother's teaching
5. 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 instruction is an ornament of grace.
6. Proverbs 6:20
"My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:"
Keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother.
7. 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 faith that dwelt first in Lois and Eunice, then in Timothy.
8. Luke 1:46-48
"And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed."
Mary's Magnificat: all generations shall call her blessed. Motherhood and worship meet.
Comfort like a mother
9. 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.
10. Isaiah 49:15
"Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee."
Can a woman forget her nursing child? Yet God will not forget His people.
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; the fruit of the womb is His reward.
12. John 19:26-27
"When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home."
From the cross, Jesus entrusts His mother to the beloved disciple.
A short prayer
Father, thank You for mothers and mother-figures who comfort, teach, and pass on faith. Help me honor them well. Comfort moms who are weary, and let Your care be like a mother's comfort to those who need it today. 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.
[Download our free SOAP study page | Get the 30-page SOAP Bible Study Journal]
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Bible verse about mothers?
Proverbs 31:25-28, Isaiah 66:13, Exodus 20:12, and 2 Timothy 1:5 are among the most shared for Mother's Day and cards.
Where does the Bible say children call their mother blessed?
Proverbs 31:28: "Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her."
What verse compares God's comfort to a mother's?
Isaiah 66:13: "As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you."
Is there a Bible verse about a mother's faith?
2 Timothy 1:5 points to the faith that lived in Timothy's grandmother Lois and mother Eunice.
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 family · love Bible verses · Bible verses about gratitude · Bible verses about prayer · Bible verses about God's love
Explore more: All Bible verses by topic · KJV Bible verses · Verse of the day · Prayers · Bible study · Bible reading plans
