"Honour thy father and thy mother" (Exodus 20:12) is the first commandment with promise (Ephesians 6:2-3). Children are told, "obey your parents in the Lord" (Ephesians 6:1), and "hearken unto thy father... and despise not thy mother" (Proverbs 23:22). "Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord" (Colossians 3:20).
Honoring parents is woven through Scripture: commandment, wisdom, and gospel household teaching. These twelve King James passages speak to sons and daughters about respecting, obeying, and caring for father and mother. This is the child's side of the relationship; for raising children, see parenting. For holiday-focused pages, see dad and mothers.
The commandment to honor
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."
The fifth commandment: honour thy father and thy mother. In Israel it carried a promise of long life in the land; Paul later calls it the first commandment with promise.
2. 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."
Moses restates the command with the same promise. Honoring parents is not optional etiquette; it is covenant obedience.
3. Ephesians 6:1-3
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth."
Children, obey your parents in the Lord. Paul ties obedience to honor and reminds them of the promise of well-being and long life.
4. Colossians 3:20
"Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord."
Obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. A child's obedience can be an act of worship.
Wisdom for sons and daughters
5. Proverbs 23:22
"Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old."
Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old. Honor does not expire when parents age or weaken.
6. Proverbs 1:8
"My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:"
My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother. Parental wisdom is meant to be received, not discarded.
7. 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. Binding their teaching on the heart protects a young life.
8. Leviticus 19:3
"Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I am the LORD your God."
Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father. Reverent respect for both parents is holy living.
Care, respect, and legacy
9. 1 Timothy 5:4
"But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God."
Let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents. Adult children honor aging parents with practical care.
10. Matthew 15:4
"For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death."
Jesus rebukes those who used religious vows to dodge supporting parents. True honor includes material help when parents are in need.
11. 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. A wise child's life becomes a parent's joy.
12. 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."
A sober warning: scorn for father and mother is not a light matter before God. Honor is serious because parents are a gift He appointed.
A short prayer
Father, thank You for the gift of parents. Teach me to honor my father and mother in word, attitude, and care. Where I have failed, forgive me; where relationships are hard, give me wisdom and grace. Help me please You in how I treat those who raised me. 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.
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Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about parents?
Children are commanded to honor and obey father and mother (Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:1-3; Colossians 3:20), to listen to their instruction (Proverbs 1:8), and to care for them in need (1 Timothy 5:4; Matthew 15:4).
What if my parents were harmful?
Honoring does not mean approving sin or staying in danger. Seek wise counsel; honor can include safe boundaries while refusing bitterness and still praying for them. God is a Father to the fatherless.
Is honoring parents only for kids?
No. The command continues into adulthood, especially in care for aging parents (Proverbs 23:22; 1 Timothy 5:4). Obedience looks different for adults, but honor remains.
How is this different from parenting verses?
Parenting pages address mothers and fathers raising children. This page addresses children and adult children honoring their parents.
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 parenting · Bible verses about dad · Bible verses about mothers · Bible verses about family · Bible verses about discipline
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