Exo 20:12-16 | MHM | STEP | v. 12 : The fifth commandment says, Honour your father and your mother . This means respecting your parents, listening to their advice, obeying their instructions, accepting their corrections, and caring for them, especially when they are old. God promises that those who honor their parents will have a long and good life in the land he gives them (Eph 6:1-3 ). Taking care of our parents pleases God, and he will support those who do so (Matthew 15:4–6 ). vv. 12–17 : The last six commandments describe our duty to other people. They require us to honour our parents, respect life, stay faithful in marriage, be honest, not steal, tell the truth, and not covet what belongs to others (Exodus 20:12–17 ). These commands teach us to love our neighbour as ourselves.

‏ Exodus 20:12-16

v. 12: The fifth commandment says, Honour your father and your mother . This means respecting your parents, listening to their advice, obeying their instructions, accepting their corrections, and caring for them, especially when they are old. God promises that those who honor their parents will have a long and good life in the land he gives them (Eph 6:1-3 ^a). Taking care of our parents pleases God, and he will support those who do so (Matthew 15:4–6 ^b).

vv. 12–17: The last six commandments describe our duty to other people. They require us to honour our parents, respect life, stay faithful in marriage, be honest, not steal, tell the truth, and not covet what belongs to others (Exodus 20:12–17 ^c). These commands teach us to love our neighbour as ourselves.

v. 13: The sixth commandment is You shall not kill . This commandment forbids hurting or taking someone’s life unjustly. It includes not only murder, but also hatred, revenge, and harmful anger (Matthew 5:22 ^d). It does not forbid self-defense, justice by courts, or war when truly necessary. God cares deeply about human life.

v. 14: The seventh commandment is You shall not commit adultery . This teaches us to be pure and faithful, and forbids all unfaithfulness in marriage and any sexual sin. Jesus explained that even looking at someone with lust breaks this commandment (Matthew 5:28 ^e). God wants us to keep our hearts and actions clean.

v. 15: The eighth commandment is You shall not steal . We must not take what belongs to others, cheat, or be dishonest in any way. This includes not only stealing from people but also from our community or from God’s house.

v. 16: The ninth commandment is You shall not bear false witness . We must not lie, deceive, or speak unfairly about others. This commandment teaches us to be honest in court, in everyday life, and to protect our neighbor’s reputation. Slandering or gossiping is also forbidden.