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.
Cross-reference
Exodus 21:15 prescribes death for striking a parent — the opposite of the honoring command in Exodus 20:12, showing the severity of dishonor.
Exodus 21:17 makes cursing a parent a capital offense — the direct opposite of honoring them, reinforcing the command's gravity.
Proverbs 30:17 warns that mocking or disobeying parents leads to a gruesome death — severe consequence for dishonor.
In Proverbs 15:5, heeding father's instruction is contrasted with despising it — showing that honor involves listening to correction.
Proverbs 1:8 echoes the command to heed a father's instruction and a mother's teaching — a direct wisdom application of Exodus 20:12.
1 Kings 2:19 exemplifies honoring a mother — Solomon bows to Bathsheba and seats her at his right, a royal act of respect.
Proverbs 20:20 warns that cursing parents brings darkness — the negative counterpart to the command to honor.
Proverbs 23:22-25 expands the command, urging listening to parents and seeking their joy as the reward of honor.
Proverbs 28:24 condemns robbing parents as a grave sin — a specific violation of honoring them.
Luke 18:20 lists this command among the Ten Commandments Jesus recounts to the rich young ruler.
Proverbs 30:11 lists cursing and not blessing parents as marks of a wicked generation.
In Ephesians 6:1-3, Paul directly quotes this commandment and reaffirms the promise of wellbeing and long life for children who honor parents.
Leviticus 19:3 repeats the command to revere mother and father, linking it with keeping the Sabbath — both are covenant obligations.
Malachi 1:6 applies the honor command to God — if earthly parents deserve honor, how much more the heavenly Father?
Matthew 15:4-6 quotes this command and shows Jesus condemning the Pharisees for using tradition to avoid supporting parents.
In Ruth 3:6, Ruth obeys her mother-in-law's instructions, exemplifying the honor commanded for parents.
In Jeremiah 35:6, the Rechabites obey their forefather's command, illustrating honor through obedience.
In Jeremiah 35:18, God commends the Rechabites for obeying their father's command, fulfilling the honor commandment.
Proverbs 15:20 echoes the command: a wise son brings joy to his father, while a fool despises his mother.
In Mark 7:10, Jesus quotes this commandment and links it to the penalty for cursing parents.
In 1 Samuel 22:3, David seeks refuge for his parents, directly acting to honor them as commanded.
This pronounces a curse on anyone who dishonors parents, reinforcing the commandment's seriousness.
This law addresses a stubborn son who disobeys parents, directly relating to violating the commandment.
This repeats the fifth commandment verbatim, reinforcing the same instruction to honor parents.
Ephesians 6:2 directly cites this command, calling it 'the first commandment with a promise'.
Jacob's sons carry out his burial instructions, honoring their father's final wishes after his death.
Joseph bows before his father Jacob, a direct act of honor and respect that fulfills the commandment.
Joseph provides food for his father and family, exemplifying care and honor for parents as commanded.
In Genesis 28:7, Jacob obeys his parents by going to Paddan-aram — a direct illustration of the obedience aspect of honoring father and mother.
Hebrews 12:9 grounds respect for earthly fathers in this command, then argues for greater submission to God.
Leviticus 19:32 extends the principle of honor beyond parents to all elderly, showing a broader culture of respect.
In Genesis 9:23, Shem and Japheth honor their father Noah by covering his nakedness — a narrative example of the respectful action behind this command.
Romans 13:7 extends the principle of giving honor to civil authorities, applying the command to honor those in authority.
In Deuteronomy 4:40, the same promise of prolonged days in the land is attached to keeping all God's statutes, echoing this commandment's specific blessing.
In Colossians 3:20, children are commanded to obey parents 'for this pleases the Lord' — a parallel application of the honor principle without quoting the promise.
1 Timothy 5:3 applies the same verb 'honor' to widows, expanding the duty of honor in the church.
1 Peter 2:17 generalizes the command: 'Honor everyone,' showing honor as a Christian virtue for all.
In Deuteronomy 32:47, Moses says God's words are 'your very life' and will prolong days in the land — a general application of the promise from this commandment.
In Deuteronomy 25:15, the identical phrase 'that your days may be long in the land' is used for honest weights — a different context but same promise formula.