Does the Bible say it?
“Spare the rod, spoil the child”: is it in the Bible?
Not word for word. The rhyming phrase comes from a satirical poem by Samuel Butler in 1662. The Bible does say something near it in Proverbs 13:24, but its emphasis is on loving, careful discipline, not harshness.
What it actually is
The familiar rhyming line is not from the Bible. It comes from Samuel Butler’s satirical poem Hudibras (1662): “Spare the rod and spoil the child.” It is a paraphrase that has drifted far enough from Scripture that many people no longer read the actual verse.
What the Bible actually says
The nearest passage is Proverbs 13:24, which frames discipline as an act of love, not anger:
The Bible also warns parents in the other direction, against exasperating their children (Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21), which is easy to forget when only the rhyme is quoted.
A better question than the quote
Behind every “is this in the Bible?” is a gentler one: what does the Bible actually say, and who is the Jesus at the center of it? You do not have to take our word for it, ours least of all. Read his own words and see for yourself. It costs nothing but a little quiet and an honest look.
Meet JesusHis words and actsRead the Gospel of JohnJesus Christ is Lord.
Frequently asked questions
- Is “Spare the rod, spoil the child” in the Bible?
- Not in those exact words. The rhyme is from Samuel Butler's 1662 poem Hudibras. The nearest verse is Proverbs 13:24.
- What does Proverbs 13:24 actually say?
- It says a parent who withholds discipline does not truly love the child, while the one who loves disciplines carefully. The stress is on loving correction, not harshness.