Bible Verses About Mothers

With Mother’s Day (or Mothers’ Day, because we know some families have two moms) coming up, we wanted to share that it’s more than just a day for cards and brunch reservations.

It’s a celebration that’s deeply rooted in Biblical references, honoring mothers and wives and the blessings they bring to our lives.

While not all of these Bible verses have direct references to Mother’s Day, they teach us plenty about the importance of appreciating the women in our lives. In fact, the Bible has many references to the love of God in motherly terms. That’s why we celebrate Feminine Imagery of God – there’s something so comforting about thinking of God as a loving mother.

To help you celebrate the mothers in your faith community, we’ve put together some great resources, including ideas for social media and ways to celebrate families with two moms. We hope you find them useful and have a wonderful Mother’s Day!

Proverbs 31:10-30

This passage describes a wife of noble character who is worth more than rubies. It goes on to list her many virtues and how she cares for her family and others.

10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. 11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. 12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. 13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. 15 She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. 16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. 18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. 19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. 20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. 21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. 22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. 25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. 26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Proverbs 19:26-27

This passage warns against mistreating or neglecting one’s parents, specifically mentioning a child who drives out their mother.

26 Whoever robs their father and drives out their mother is a child who brings shame and disgrace. 27 Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

Mark 10:29-30

Jesus says that anyone who has left their family for him and the gospel will receive a hundred times as much in this life and the next, including mothers.

29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life.

Matthew 15:4-6

This passage discusses the importance of honoring one’s father and mother and the consequences of not doing so.

4 For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’and ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’ 5 But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is ‘devoted to God,’ 6 they are not to ‘honor their father or mother’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.

Ephesians 6:1-3

Children are commanded to obey their parents in the Lord, and honoring one’s father and mother is the first commandment with a promise.

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

Exodus 20:12

This is one of the Ten Commandments, which instructs people to honor their father and mother.

12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

Deuteronomy 5:16

This passage repeats the commandment to honor one’s parents, with the added promise that it will go well with those who do so.

16 “Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

Proverbs 1:8-9

Children are urged to listen to their father’s instruction and not to forsake their mother’s teaching.

8 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. 9 They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.

Proverbs 6:20-21

Children are again told to keep their father’s commandments and not to forsake their mother’s teaching.

20 My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. 21 Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck.

Proverbs 23:22-24

Children are instructed to listen to their father and not to despise their mother, with the added encouragement that a father of a righteous child has great joy.

22 Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. 23 Buy the truth and do not sell it— wisdom, instruction and insight as well. 24 The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.

Genesis 21:1-3

This passage tells the story of Sarah, who becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son despite being old and barren, a testament to God’s faithfulness and power.

1 Now the LORD was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what he had promised. 2 Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. 3 Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore him.

Luke 1:5-6

This text introduces the parents of John the Baptist, Zechariah and Elizabeth, who were both righteous and faithful before God.

5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.

Luke 1:46-48

Mary celebrates motherhood and praises God with a song of gratitude and humility for choosing her to bear Jesus.

46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed.

John 19:25-27

Jesus, while on the cross, entrusted his mother to the care of his beloved disciple, and from that moment on the disciple took her into his home.

25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman,here is your son,” 27 and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

Deuteronomy 4:9-10

The passage encourages the people to remember the events and teachings of the past and pass them down to future generations.

9 Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. 10 Remember the day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, when he said to me, “Assemble the people before me to hear my words so that they may learn to revere me as long as they live in the land and may teach them to their children.”

Proverbs 22:6

This text advises parents to train up a child in the way he should go, so that when he is old he will not depart from it.

6 Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

You might also enjoy:

Interesting Facts About Mother’s Day

Creative Ideas for Mother’s Day

Women’s Suffrage Facts You Might Not Know

Top 5 Bible Verses for Ash Wednesday

Bible Verses for Black History Month