Motherhood is a central theme throughout the Bible. Many verses discuss the importance of mothers, their influence, and the respect and care that is due to them. Here is an overview of some of the key Bible passages about mothers:
Honoring Mothers
One of the Ten Commandments is to “Honor your father and your mother” (Exodus 20:12). This commandment comes with a promise – “that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” Honoring mothers is not contingent on whether they are perfect; it’s a general biblical principle. Ephesians 6:2 also instructs children to honor their mothers.
Proverbs 1:8 says: “Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching.” This verse implies that mothers, like fathers, have a teaching and nurturing role in raising children. Proverbs 6:20 and many other verses also speak of the importance of respecting, obeying, and learning from mothers.
A Mother’s Love and Care
One of the most famous verses about a mother’s love is Isaiah 49:15, where God compares His care for His people to a nursing mother: “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.” This powerful verse suggests a mother’s love and care for her child reflects the depth of God’s love.
Another meaningful verse is Isaiah 66:13, where God promises: “As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you.” It paints a picture of the comfort and security a child feels in a mother’s arms. Other verses such as Psalm 131:2 also use the image of a child calmly nursing at its mother’s breast to depict being satisfied and at peace.
A Mother’s Wisdom and Instruction
Proverbs chapter 31 describes the “excellent wife.” This virtuous woman is caring, industrious, wise and “opens her mouth with wisdom” (v. 26). She looks well to her household and children. She is an ideal example of wisdom that mothers can cultivate and pass on to their children.
Proverbs 1:8 mentioned above encourages children to follow a mother’s teaching and instruction. 2 Timothy 1:5 and 3:14-15 praise Timothy’s mother Eunice and grandmother Lois for passing on sincere faith to him from childhood. These verses imply that a mother’s spiritual guidance and teaching are invaluable in training children.
Jesus’ Mother Mary
The Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, is described as “highly favored” when she is visited by the angel Gabriel and told she will give birth to the Son of God (Luke 1:28). Mary responds with obedience and surrender to God’s will, despite her confusion (Luke 1:34-38). Her song of praise in Luke 1:46-55 glorifies God for choosing her for this role.
When Jesus begins his ministry, his mother Mary is present at the start (John 2:1-11). She continues to be mentioned throughout the gospels up to Jesus’ death on the cross, where Jesus arranges for one of his disciples to care for her (John 19:25-27). Mary’s faithfulness in mothering the Son of God is an inspirational model for mothers.
Mothers in the Early Church
Acts 16 highlights two important mothers in the early Christian church. First, Timothy’s mother Eunice and grandmother Lois are commended for their sincere faith (Acts 16:1). Then Lydia, who came to faith under Paul’s teaching, and her household were baptized (Acts 16:14-15). The early church clearly valued the role of mothers in passing on faith and incorporating families into the church.
The instructions for elders (church leaders) in 1 Timothy 3 indicate they must manage their household well and have faithful children (1 Timothy 3:4-5, 12). This implies Christian mothers have a key role in cultivating faithfulness and character in their children. Titus 2:3-5 encourages older women to live reverent lives and give wise counsel to younger women on how to love, serve, and instruct their families.
Barren Women Who Became Mothers
Several women in the Bible endured the pain of barrenness but later conceived children. These stories testify to God’s miraculous power. Sarah (Genesis 21:1-7), Rebekah (Genesis 25:21), Rachel (Genesis 30:1-2, 22-24), Samson’s mother (Judges 13), Hannah (1 Samuel 1:1-20), and Elizabeth (Luke 1:5-25) all dealt with initial barrenness but eventually gave birth to significant biblical figures through God’s intervention.
Difficult Mothers and Mother/Child Relationships
While mothers are generally depicted positively in the Bible, there are exceptions. Michal bitterly criticized King David for rejoicing before the Ark of the Covenant as she watched from a window (2 Samuel 6:16, 23). Job’s wife told him to “curse God and die” to escape his suffering (Job 2:9-10).
Some mother and child relationships were also strained, like Jacob’s preference for Joseph over his other sons (Genesis 37:3-4). Hannah was cruelly provoked by her husband’s other wife because of her inability to conceive at first (1 Samuel 1:6-7). Jesus predicted that acceptance of the gospel would even divide some mothers against their children (Matthew 10:35). But overall, the Bible emphasizes love and harmony between mothers and children.
Motherhood as a Metaphor
Biblical authors frequently use motherhood metaphors to convey nurture, care, and origin. Numbers 11:12 compares Moses to a nursing mother tenderly carrying Israel. Hosea 13:8 likens God to a mother bear robbed of her cubs in His judgment on Israel. Jesus laments over the people of Jerusalem as a mother hen gathers her chicks (Matthew 23:37). Paul affectionately calls Timothy his “true child in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2).
The church is metaphorically called the “mother” of believers in Galatians 4:26. So motherhood imagery in the Bible highlights tender care, fierce protection, and selfless devotion characteristic of a mother’s love and care for her children.
Mothers and Jesus
As the Son of God born into humanity, Jesus interacted with mothers and affirmed their value in society. He healed Peter’s sick mother-in-law, allowing her to continue serving them (Matthew 8:14-15). He welcomed children and mothers seeking blessings, discouraging the disciples from sending them away (Matthew 19:13-15).
When a woman called out a blessing for the mother who nursed Jesus, Jesus replied that blessing comes “rather to those who hear the word of God and keep it!” (Luke 11:27-28). Though undoubtedly honoring to Mary, Jesus universalized motherhood here. He defined the critical “motherly” role, regardless of gender or family status, as hearing God’s word and nurturing faith.
Conclusion
In summary, the Bible highly esteems mothers for their vital calling and influence. It urges honoring mothers, heeding their teaching, remembering their faithfulness, and trusting in God’s care which surpasses even a mother’s love. Stories of conception miracles and motherhood metaphors also fill its pages. While imperfect, motherhood is a treasured relationship which figures prominently in God’s plan.