Deuteronomy 21:18-21·~1 min

A Rebellious Son

If a son refuses his parents' discipline and proves stubborn, rebellious, and morally reckless, his parents must bring the case to the elders at the city gate. The city then puts him to death, removing the evil and making Israel hear and fear.

I¹⁸f a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and does not listen to them when disciplined, ¹⁹his father and mother are to lay hold of him and bring him to the elders of his city, to the gate of his hometown, ²⁰and say to the elders, “This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious; he does not obey us. He is a glutton and a drunkard.” ²¹Then all the men of his city will stone him to death. So you must purge the evil from among you, and all Israel will hear and be afraid.

Section summaryA son who remains stubborn, defiant, and uncorrected is brought by his parents before the city elders for judgment. The sentence is severe, presenting persistent rebellion within the household as a public evil to be removed from Israel.

Role in the chapterThis section moves from protected family claims to the household's gravest breakdown. It shows that disorder in the home is not treated as a private matter when it hardens into open, destructive rebellion.