Devine Scripture

Colossians 3:20

What does Colossians 3:20 mean?

A plain-English look at Colossians 3:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Colossians 3:20 means

Children are to “obey your parents in all things,” because such obedience “is well-pleasing in the Lord.” The phrase “in all things” underscores a general posture of compliance, limited only by the Lord’s will. Obedience honors God’s order for family life, trains the young in wisdom, and brings joy to the Lord who delights in humble trust. This instruction recognizes children as moral agents capable of pleasing Christ in their daily choices. It elevates ordinary home life as a sphere of discipleship, where learning to listen and respond to parents’ guidance becomes a way to serve the Lord and prepare for mature obedience to Him in all areas.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Children, do the orders of your fathers and mothers in all things, for this is pleasing to the Lord.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

the children! obey the parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing to the Lord.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing in [the] Lord.

Context

Continuing the household code, verse 20 addresses children, linking their obedience directly to what pleases the Lord. Verse 21 will complement this by cautioning fathers against provoking their children, so that obedience is fostered in a nurturing environment. The pattern throughout remains: each role is defined relative to Christ’s lordship and the well-being of the household community. Next, the focus will shift to servants and their masters, applying the same Christ-centered ethic to work relationships.

v.19Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

v.20This passage

v.21Fathers, provoke not your children, that they be not discouraged.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Genesis 28:7

    and that Jacob obeyed his father and his mother, and was gone to Paddan-aram:

  • Proverbs 6:20

    My son, keep the commandment of thy father, And forsake not the law of thy mother:

  • Malachi 1:6

    A son honoreth his father, and a servant his master: if then I am a father, where is mine honor? and if I am a master, where is my fear? saith Jehovah of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?

  • Matthew 19:19

    Honor thy father and thy mother; and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

  • Deuteronomy 21:18

    If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, that will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and, though they chasten him, will not hearken unto them;

  • Exodus 20:12

    Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee.

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