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 Citation

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 Parallel

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.

Ruth 3:6 Parallel

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.

Mark 7:10 Citation

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.

Mark 10:19 Citation

In Mark 10:19, Jesus again cites this commandment among the ones to obey.

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 Parallel

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.