John Calvin Commentary Exodus 21:15

"And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death." — Exodus 21:15 (ASV)

The commandment is now enforced by the threat of capital punishment for its violation. Yet, this does not mean it includes all who have in any way sinned against their parents; rather, it is sufficient to show that the rights of parents are sacred and not to be violated without the greatest criminality.

We know that parricides,⁸ as the most detestable of all people, were formerly sewn up in a leather sack and thrown into the water. But God goes further, commanding all those to be exterminated who have laid violent hands on their parents⁹ or addressed them with abusive language. For to smite not only means to kill but refers to any violence, even if no wound was inflicted. If, then, anyone had struck his father or mother with his fist or a stick, the punishment for this act of madness was the same as for murder.

Assuredly, it is an abominable and monstrous thing for a son not to hesitate to assault those from whom he has received his life; and it is certain that impunity granted to such a foul crime would immediately produce cruel barbarism.

The second law avenges not only violence done to parents but also abusive words, which soon lead to grosser insults and atrocious contempt. Still, if anyone should have carelessly uttered some slight reproach, as often happens in a quarrel, this severe punishment was not to be inflicted for such an inconsiderate piece of impertinence. The word קלל, kalal, from which the participle Moses uses is derived, not only means to reproach but also to curse, as well as to esteem lightly and to despise.

While, therefore, not every insult by which the reverence due to parents was violated was punished by death, God still desired that such impious pride, which would subvert the first principles of nature, be held in abhorrence.

But, since it might seem harsh that a word,¹⁰ however unworthy of a dutiful son, should be the cause of death, this objection is met by what God adds in Leviticus: his blood shall be upon him, because he hath cursed his father or mother: as if God would put a stop to what people might otherwise presume to allege in mitigation of the severity of the punishment.

⁸ By the Roman law parricides were sewn up in a leathern sack with a dog, a cock, a viper, and a monkey, and east into the sea, or the nearest river. — , or the nearest river. — Vide Cicero pro Rose. Amer., 2:25, 26. Cicero pro Rose. Amer., 2:25, 26.

⁹ “Ceux qui auront outrage pere ou mere, soit de faict, soit de parole;” those who shall have outraged father or mother either by act or word. — Fr..

¹⁰ “Une injure verbale;” a verbal injury. — Fr..