The Best 50+ Bible Verses About Respecting Parents

Respecting parents is a core value in many cultures and religions. The Bible offers numerous verses that highlight the importance of honoring one's parents.

This article compiles 50 Bible verses that emphasize respect for parents. These verses provide guidance and wisdom on how to treat parents with the honor they deserve.

50 Bible Verses About Respecting Parents

10 Bible Verses on Respecting Parents in Law

• "But Ruth said: 'Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me.'" — Ruth 1:16-17
• "So Moses' father-in-law said to him, 'The thing that you do is not good. Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself. Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you: Stand before God for the people, so that you may bring the difficulties to God. And you shall teach them the statutes and the laws, and show them the way in which they must walk and the work they must do. Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. And let them judge the people at all times. Then it will be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they themselves shall judge. So it will be easier for you, for they will bear the burden with you. If you do this thing, and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all this people will also go to their place in peace.'" — Exodus 18:17-24
• "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." — Genesis 2:24
• "Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent; and he took Rebekah and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother's death." — Genesis 24:67
• "Then Rachel and Leah answered and said to him, 'Is there still any portion or inheritance for us in our father's house? Are we not considered strangers by him? For he has sold us, and also completely consumed our money. For all these riches which God has taken from our father are really ours and our children's; now then, whatever God has said to you, do it.'" — Genesis 31:14-16
• "Now Michal, Saul's daughter, loved David. And they told Saul, and the thing pleased him. So Saul said, 'I will give her to him, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.' Therefore Saul said to David a second time, 'You shall be my son-in-law today.' And Saul commanded his servants, 'Communicate with David secretly, and say, "Look, the king has delight in you, and all his servants love you. Now therefore, become the king's son-in-law."' So Saul's servants spoke those words in the hearing of David. And David said, 'Does it seem to you a light thing to be a king's son-in-law, seeing I am a poor and lightly esteemed man?' And the servants of Saul told him, saying, 'In this manner David spoke.' Then Saul said, 'Thus you shall say to David: "The king does not desire any dowry but one hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to take vengeance on the king's enemies."' But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines. So when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to become the king's son-in-law. Now the days had not expired; therefore David arose and went, he and his men, and killed two hundred men of the Philistines. And David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full count to the king, that he might become the king's son-in-law. Then Saul gave him Michal his daughter as a wife." — 1 Samuel 18:20-27
• "Saul also sent messengers to David's house to watch him and to kill him in the morning. And Michal, David's wife, told him, saying, 'If you do not save your life tonight, tomorrow you will be killed.' So Michal let David down through a window. And he went and fled and escaped. And Michal took an image and laid it in the bed, put a cover of goats' hair for his head, and covered it with clothes. So when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, 'He is sick.' Then Saul sent the messengers back to see David, saying, 'Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may kill him.' And when the messengers had come in, there was the image in the bed, with a cover of goats' hair for his head. Then Saul said to Michal, 'Why have you deceived me like this, and sent my enemy away, so that he has escaped?' And Michal answered Saul, 'He said to me, "Let me go! Why should I kill you?"'" — 1 Samuel 19:11-17
• "Then Abigail made haste and took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five sheep already dressed, five seahs of roasted grain, one hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and loaded them on donkeys. And she said to her servants, 'Go on before me; see, I am coming after you.' But she did not tell her husband Nabal." — 1 Samuel 25:18-19
• "And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah, and said, 'Please let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.' And he said to him, 'Go back again, for what have I done to you?'" — 1 Kings 19:20
• "Now it happened one day that Elisha went to Shunem, where there was a notable woman, and she persuaded him to eat some food. So it was, as often as he passed by, he would turn in there to eat some food. And she said to her husband, 'Look now, I know that this is a holy man of God, who passes by us regularly. Please, let us make a small upper room on the wall; and let us put a bed for him there, and a table and a chair and a lampstand; so it will be, whenever he comes to us, he can turn in there.'" — 2 Kings 4:8-10

10 Bible Verses on Honoring Parents in Proverbs

• "My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother." — Proverbs 1:8
• "My son, keep your father's command, And do not forsake the law of your mother." — Proverbs 6:20
• "The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son makes a glad father, But a foolish son is the grief of his mother." — Proverbs 10:1
• "A wise son heeds his father's instruction, But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke." — Proverbs 13:1
• "A fool despises his father's instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent." — Proverbs 15:5
• "He who mistreats his father and chases away his mother Is a son who causes shame and brings reproach." — Proverbs 19:26
• "Whoever curses his father or his mother, His lamp will be put out in deep darkness." — Proverbs 20:20
• "Listen to your father who begot you, And do not despise your mother when she is old." — Proverbs 23:22
• "The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who begets a wise child will delight in him. Let your father and your mother be glad, And let her who bore you rejoice." — Proverbs 23:24-25
• "Whoever robs his father or his mother, And says, 'It is no transgression,' The same is companion to a destroyer." — Proverbs 28:24

10 Bible Verses on Obedience to Parents

• "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." — Ephesians 6:1
• "Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord." — Colossians 3:20
• "Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you." — Deuteronomy 5:16
• "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you." — Exodus 20:12
• "Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and keep My Sabbaths: I am the Lord your God." — Leviticus 19:3
• "For God commanded, saying, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.'" — Matthew 15:4
• "For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.'" — Mark 7:10
• "Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart." — Luke 2:51
• "But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God." — 1 Timothy 5:4
• "Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?" — Hebrews 12:9

10 Bible Verses on Parental Authority in Scripture

• "For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him." — Genesis 18:19
• "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up." — Deuteronomy 6:6-7
• "And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." — Joshua 24:15
• "Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it." — Proverbs 22:6
• "And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord." — Ephesians 6:4
• "Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged." — Colossians 3:21
• "One who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?)." — 1 Timothy 3:4-5
• "That they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children." — Titus 2:4
• "If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?" — Hebrews 12:7
• "Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives." — 1 Peter 3:1

10 Bible Verses on Reverence for Parents

• "You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the Lord." — Leviticus 19:32
• "Cursed is the one who treats his father or his mother with contempt.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen!'" — Deuteronomy 27:16
• "The eye that mocks his father, And scorns obedience to his mother, The ravens of the valley will pick it out, And the young eagles will eat it." — Proverbs 30:17
• "A son honors his father, And a servant his master. If then I am the Father, Where is My honor? And if I am a Master, Where is My reverence? Says the Lord of hosts To you priests who despise My name. Yet you say, 'In what way have we despised Your name?'" — Malachi 1:6
• "Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" — Matthew 19:19
• "You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not bear false witness,' 'Do not defraud,' 'Honor your father and your mother.'" — Mark 10:19
• "You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not bear false witness,' 'Honor your father and your mother.'" — Luke 18:20
• "Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor." — Romans 13:7
• "Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king." — 1 Peter 2:17
• "Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity." — 1 Timothy 5:1-2

What Does the Bible Say About Respecting Parents

The Bible has a lot to say about respecting parents. It's a theme that runs through many verses, offering guidance on how to treat our parents with the honor they deserve. These teachings are not just rules but are meant to help us build strong, loving relationships within our families. Let's explore some key themes that emerge from these verses.

One major theme is obedience. Verses like Ephesians 6:1 and Colossians 3:20 emphasize the importance of children obeying their parents. This isn't just about following rules; it's about creating a home where respect and love are the foundation. Obedience helps maintain harmony and shows that we value our parents' wisdom and experience.

Another important theme is honoring parents. Verses such as Exodus 20:12 and Deuteronomy 5:16 remind us to honor our father and mother. This means showing them respect, valuing their role in our lives, and appreciating their sacrifices. Honoring parents is seen as a way to live a long and fulfilling life, as it fosters a positive and supportive family environment.

Reverence for parents is also highlighted. Proverbs 30:17 and Leviticus 19:32 talk about the importance of showing deep respect and reverence for our parents. This goes beyond simple obedience and honor; it involves a heartfelt appreciation and a willingness to care for them, especially as they age.

Lastly, the Bible speaks about the role of parents in guiding their children. Verses like Proverbs 22:6 and Ephesians 6:4 encourage parents to teach and guide their children in the ways of the Lord. This mutual respect and guidance create a strong family bond, rooted in love and faith.

How to Apply These Bible Verses About Respecting Parents

Applying Bible teachings about respecting parents in daily life is crucial for building strong family bonds. These principles help create a loving and supportive home environment.

• Start your day with a prayer, asking God to help you honor and respect your parents.
• Show appreciation through small acts of kindness, like helping with chores or cooking a meal.
• Listen to your parents' advice and consider their wisdom in your decisions.
• Spend quality time with your parents, whether it's a simple conversation or a family outing.
• Be patient and forgiving, understanding that everyone makes mistakes.
• Get involved in community activities that support family values and relationships.

Remember, God is always with you, guiding you to strengthen your family ties. Faith-driven actions can transform your relationships and bring peace to your home.

Explore more prayers and Bible verses on PrayersFor or use our Bible Verse Generator to deepen your understanding and faith.