What does "stubborn and rebellious" in Deuteronomy 21:20 teach about obedience to authority?

◄ Meaning of "stubborn" in Deut 21:20? ►

• The verse sits in a section where Moses lays out civil regulations for Israel’s community life.

• Parents could appeal to city elders when a son’s persistent disobedience threatened family and societal order.

• The phrase “stubborn and rebellious” pinpoints a settled, willful resistance, not a single act.

Meaning of “Stubborn and Rebellious”

• “Stubborn” (Hebrew: sōrēr) pictures one who turns aside, refusing to be steered.

• “Rebellious” (mōreh) speaks of open defiance, an active rejection of rightful rule.

• Together they describe a heart posture opposed to authority, evidenced by behavior—“He is a glutton and a drunkard” (Deuteronomy 21:20).

God’s Standard for Obedience to Parental Authority

• Fifth Commandment: “Honor your father and your mother” (Exodus 20:12).

• Proverbs 6:20–21: “My son, keep your father’s commandment…bind them continually upon your heart.”

• Ephesians 6:1–3 repeats the mandate for believers: obedience is “right” and brings blessing.

• Deuteronomy 21:20 reveals that chronic rejection of parental authority is a moral offense against God, not merely a family dispute.

Broader Biblical Pattern of Honoring Authority

• Romans 13:1: “There is no authority except from God, and those that exist are appointed by God.”

• 1 Peter 2:13–15: submission “for the Lord’s sake.”

• Numbers 16: the rebellion of Korah shows how defying appointed leadership invites judgment.

• 1 Samuel 15:23: “Rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the evil of idolatry.”

Consequences of Rebellion

• In Israel’s theocracy the penalty could reach capital judgment (Deuteronomy 21:21), underscoring the seriousness of the crime.

• Proverbs 30:17 warns, “The eye that mocks a father… the ravens of the valley will pluck it out.”

• Persistent refusal to submit ultimately rejects God’s rule, inviting both temporal and eternal loss.

Practical Takeaways for Today

• Obedience to parents and other God-ordained authorities aligns us with God’s order and brings His favor.

• Stubborn resistance—a heart bent on its own way—erodes relationships, invites discipline, and grieves the Lord.

• Cultivating a teachable spirit, quick repentance, and respect for authority protects the individual and blesses the community.