Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5650 Human relationships  »  5731 parents

Scripture stipulates that children should show respect and concern for their parents.

Honouring parents

Exodus 20:12 pp Deuteronomy 5:16 See also Leviticus 19:3; Proverbs 23:22; Matthew 19:16-19 pp Mark 10:17-19 pp Luke 18:18-20; Ephesians 6:1-3; Colossians 3:20; 1 Timothy 5:4

Dishonouring parents

2 Timothy 3:1-2 See also Exodus 21:15-17; Deuteronomy 21:18-21; Ezekiel 22:7; Matthew 15:1-9 pp Mark 7:1-13; Romans 1:28-32

Love between parents and children can be suppressed

Luke 21:16-17 pp Matthew 10:21 pp Mark 13:12 See also Zechariah 13:2-3

Love for God must surpass love for parents

Luke 14:26 See also Deuteronomy 33:8-11; Luke 18:28-30 pp Matthew 19:27-29 pp Mark 10:28-30

Divine love surpasses parental love

Psalm 27:10

The belief that children were punished for their parents' sins

John 9:1-3 See also Exodus 20:5-6 pp Deuteronomy 5:9-10; Job 21:19-21; Ezekiel 18:1-4

Parents caring for their children

2 Corinthians 12:14 See also Proverbs 19:14; Proverbs 23:24-25; Hebrews 11:23

Children caring for their parents

1 Samuel 22:3-4 See also Joshua 2:8-20; Joshua 6:22-23; Proverbs 17:6

Mourning for parents

Leviticus 21:1-2 See also Leviticus 21:10-11; Numbers 6:2-7; Deuteronomy 21:10-13; Ezekiel 44:25

Parents and the marriage of their children

A man leaves his parents to marry his wife

Genesis 2:21-24 See also Matthew 19:3-6 pp Mark 10:2-9; Ephesians 5:25-33

Parents were responsible for vindicating their daughter's reputation

Deuteronomy 22:13-19

Sometimes parents jointly arranged their children's marriages

Judges 14:1-3

See also

2078  Christ, sonship of
5218  authority in home
5664  children
5674  daughters
5684  fathers
5696  grandchildren
5697  grandparents
5708  marriage
5718  mothers
5738  sons
6160  fathers, sin of