Exodus 21:15Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

What are the sins that frequently call out to God for judgment in this world? Among these, one can include the dishonor and ungratefulness shown to parents, as indicated in Scripture: ‘Whosoever scourges his father or his mother, let him die. Whosoever shall speak evil against his father or his mother shall die’ (Exodus 21:15,17).

In our previous discussion, we acknowledged that the family serves as the cornerstone of society and that rejecting the family initiates societal decay. Adhering to this understanding, specific laws addressing the disrespect toward parents have been established, with such offenses being equated to acts of murder and moral degradation, akin to the enslavement of the free. When parents are disrespected through actions or words, the entire divinely ordained structure of human life suffers. This not only represents a transgression against God but also jeopardizes the happiness and tranquility of fellow citizens. This is the perspective from which the law views offenses against parents.