Bible Verses About Obedience to Parents

"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 all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord."

"My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck."

"Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee."

"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."

"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."

"Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old."

"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."

"Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I am the LORD your God."

"A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke."

What does the Bible say about obedience to parents?

Obedience to parents is one of the first and most fundamental commands in Scripture. It teaches children respect, builds family order, and reflects the broader principle of submitting to God-given authority. Key King James Version passages include Ephesians 6:1-3, Colossians 3:20, Proverbs 6:20-21. This page collects 10 KJV verses about obedience to parents, each quoted in full.

At what age does obedience to parents end?

While the command to obey primarily applies to children living under their parents' authority, the command to honor parents is lifelong (Exodus 20:12). Adult children honor parents through respect, care, and gratitude.

What if my parents ask me to do something against God's will?

Acts 5:29 says 'We ought to obey God rather than men.' If a parent commands something clearly contrary to Scripture, a believer's first allegiance is to God — but this should be handled with respect and humility.