Cursed be he that setteth light by his father, or his mother,.... That secretly despises them in his heart, and by looks and gestures mocks at them in a private manner, unseen by others, Pro 30:17; for if he publicly cursed them, that was cognizable by the civil magistrate, and he was to be put to death, Lev 20:9. This follows next, as in the order of the ten commands, to that which respects the fear and worship of God; honouring parents being next to the glorifying of God, the Father of all: and all the people shall say Amen; applaud the righteous sentence, saying, "so let it be".