Bible Strands
Proverbs 13:1
A wise son heeds his father’s discipline, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The text presents a wisdom proverb addressing a general listener, contrasting two responses to parental instruction without specifying a historical moment. It frames the exchange as a direct comparison between a wise son and a mocker.
The words — The Hebrew מוּסַר (mu.sar) denotes the father’s corrective discipline, while שָׁמַע (sha.ma) literally means to listen or heed. These terms anchor the verse’s central action of receiving versus ignoring instruction.
The thread — The dynamic of responding to correction recurs in Proverbs 15:5, which contrasts a fool who rejects discipline with one who heeds it. Proverbs 9:7 warns that attempting to rebuke a mocker brings shame to the corrector, and Proverbs 15:20 contrasts the joy a wise son brings to his father with the contempt a foolish son shows his mother.
Why it lands — The verse requires a reader to examine their own posture toward correction, treating heedfulness as wisdom and dismissal as mockery. It leaves no middle ground for passive indifference to parental instruction.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 15:5 A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent.
- Proverbs 9:7 He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself; he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself.
- Proverbs 15:20 A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.
- Proverbs 4:1 Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.
- Proverbs 10:1 The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother.
- 1 Samuel 2:25 If a man sins against another man, God can intercede for him; but if a man sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?” But they would not listen to their father, since the LORD intended to put them to death.
- Proverbs 4:20 My son, pay attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.
- Isaiah 28:14 Therefore hear the word of the LORD, O scoffers who rule this people in Jerusalem.
- Proverbs 14:6 A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.