17 Bible Verses AboutChildren Obeying Their Parents
The 17 most-voted scriptures about Children Obeying Their Parents, from 6 books (Proverbs, Ephesians, Exodus and 3 more), ranked by the OpenBible.info community.
1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2“Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise), 3“that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.” 4Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Overview
Children are told to obey their parents in Ephesians and Colossians, and the commandment to honor father and mother appears in several other verses that readers of OpenBible linked to children obeying their parents. They come from the letters, the Law of Moses, the Gospel of Matthew and Proverbs, and they are shown here in four groups, each described below.
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Ephesians 6:1–4 and Colossians 3:20–21 address children and fathers in the same passages: children are told to obey their parents, and fathers are told not to provoke their children. Ephesians 6:2 quotes the commandment to honor father and mother and calls it the first commandment with a promise.
That commandment is in Exodus 20:12 and Deuteronomy 5:16, with the promise that their days may be long in the land. In Matthew 15:4 Jesus quotes it to Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem, together with the law that anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.
Exodus 21:15 gives the death penalty for striking a father or mother, Deuteronomy 21:18–21 describes a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother, whom his parents bring to the elders of his city, and whom the men of the city are to stone, and Proverbs 30:17 wishes that the ravens pluck out the eye that mocks a father. In Proverbs 1:8 a son is told to listen to his father's instruction and not to forsake his mother's teaching, Proverbs 22:6 speaks of training up a child, and Proverbs 13:24 says that he who loves his son disciplines him. The whole of Proverbs 13 also appears.
1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2“Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise), 3“that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.” 4Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
KJV
1Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) 3That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. 4And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
WEB
1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2“Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with a promise: 3“that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth.” 4You fathers, don’t provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
A letter in the name of Paul to the believers in Ephesus, in instructions to children and fathers; this entry runs from verse 1 to verse 4.
Context (BSB)
Ephesians 5:33
Nevertheless, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Ephesians 6:5
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.
1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2“Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise), 3“that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.”
KJV
1Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) 3That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
WEB
1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2“Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with a promise: 3“that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth.”
The same passage of the letter in the name of Paul to Ephesus; this entry runs from verse 1 to verse 3.
Context (BSB)
Ephesians 5:33
Nevertheless, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
KJV
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
WEB
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the LORD your God gives you.
The commandment about father and mother, among the Ten Commandments that God speaks at Mount Sinai in Exodus.
Context (BSB)
Exodus 20:11
For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth and the sea and all that is in them, but on the seventh day He rested. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.
Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
KJV
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.
WEB
“Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God commanded you, that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land which the LORD your God gives you.
Moses repeating the Ten Commandments to all Israel, in Deuteronomy.
Context (BSB)
Deuteronomy 5:15
Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. That is why the LORD your God has commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.
Laws and a saying about a rebellious son, and about striking or mocking a father or mother
Deuteronomy 21:18–21
BSB
KJV
WEB
BSB
18If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and does not listen to them when disciplined, 19his father and mother are to lay hold of him and bring him to the elders of his city, to the gate of his hometown, 20and say to the elders, “This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious; he does not obey us. He is a glutton and a drunkard.” 21Then all the men of his city will stone him to death. So you must purge the evil from among you, and all Israel will hear and be afraid.
KJV
18If 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: 19Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place; 20And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. 21And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.
WEB
18If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother, and though they chasten him, will not listen to them, 19then his father and his mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his city and to the gate of his place. 20They shall tell the elders of his city, “This our son is stubborn and rebellious. He will not obey our voice. He is a glutton and a drunkard.” 21All the men of his city shall stone him to death with stones. So you shall remove the evil from among you. All Israel shall hear, and fear.
In Deuteronomy, part of the laws that Moses gives Israel before it enters the land, as the book presents it.
Context (BSB)
Deuteronomy 21:17
Instead, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of his unloved wife, by giving him a double portion of all that he has. For that son is the firstfruits of his father’s strength; the right of the firstborn belongs to him.
Deuteronomy 21:22
If a man has committed a sin worthy of death, and he is executed, and you hang his body on a tree,
1A wise son heeds his father’s discipline, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke. 2From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things, but the desire of the faithless is violence. 3He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin. 4The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied. 5The righteous hate falsehood, but the wicked bring shame and disgrace. 6Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness undermines the sinner. 7One pretends to be rich, but has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth. 8Riches may ransom a man’s life, but a poor man hears no threat. 9The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is extinguished. 10Arrogance leads only to strife, but wisdom is with the well-advised. 11Dishonest wealth will dwindle, but what is earned through hard work will be multiplied. 12Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life. 13He who despises instruction will pay the penalty, but the one who respects a command will be rewarded. 14The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning one from the snares of death. 15Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the faithless is difficult. 16Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool displays his folly. 17A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing. 18Poverty and shame come to him who ignores discipline, but whoever heeds correction is honored. 19Desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but turning from evil is detestable to fools. 20He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed. 21Disaster pursues sinners, but prosperity is the reward of the righteous. 22A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is passed to the righteous. 23Abundant food is in the fallow ground of the poor, but without justice it is swept away. 24He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently. 25A righteous man eats to his heart’s content, but the stomach of the wicked is empty.
KJV
1A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke. 2A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence. 3He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. 4The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. 5A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame. 6Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner. 7There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches. 8The ransom of a man’s life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke. 9The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out. 10Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom. 11Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase. 12Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. 13Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded. 14The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. 15Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard. 16Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly. 17A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health. 18Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured. 19The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil. 20He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. 21Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed. 22A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. 23Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment. 24He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. 25The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.
WEB
1A wise son listens to his father’s instruction, but a scoffer doesn’t listen to rebuke. 2By the fruit of his lips, a man enjoys good things, but the unfaithful crave violence. 3He who guards his mouth guards his soul. One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. 4The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing, but the desire of the diligent shall be fully satisfied. 5A righteous man hates lies, but a wicked man brings shame and disgrace. 6Righteousness guards the way of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner. 7There are some who pretend to be rich, yet have nothing. There are some who pretend to be poor, yet have great wealth. 8The ransom of a man’s life is his riches, but the poor hear no threats. 9The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out. 10Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is with people who take advice. 11Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away, but he who gathers by hand makes it grow. 12Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when longing is fulfilled, it is a tree of life. 13Whoever despises instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command will be rewarded. 14The teaching of the wise is a spring of life, to turn from the snares of death. 15Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful is hard. 16Every prudent man acts from knowledge, but a fool exposes folly. 17A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy gains healing. 18Poverty and shame come to him who refuses discipline, but he who heeds correction shall be honored. 19Longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil. 20One who walks with wise men grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. 21Misfortune pursues sinners, but prosperity rewards the righteous. 22A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored for the righteous. 23An abundance of food is in poor people’s fields, but injustice sweeps it away. 24One who spares the rod hates his son, but one who loves him is careful to discipline him. 25The righteous one eats to the satisfying of his soul, but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.
Show all 25 verses
From Proverbs, in the collection that the book calls the proverbs of Solomon; this entry is the whole of chapter 13.
Context (BSB)
Proverbs 12:28
There is life in the path of righteousness, but another path leads to death.
Proverbs 14:1
Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.
