19 Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place;
19 his father and mother shall take hold of him and bring him to the elders at the gate of his town.
19 then his father and his mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his city at the gate of the place where he lives,
19 his father and mother shall forcibly bring him before the leaders at the city gate
19 then his father and his mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his city, to the gate of his city.
19 In such a case, the father and mother must take the son to the elders as they hold court at the town gate.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Deuteronomy 21:19
Commentary on Deuteronomy 21:18-21
(Read Deuteronomy 21:18-21)
Observe how the criminal is here described. He is a stubborn and rebellious son. No child was to fare the worse for weakness of capacity, slowness, or dulness, but for wilfulness and obstinacy. Nothing draws men into all manner of wickedness, and hardens them in it more certainly and fatally, than drunkenness. When men take to drinking, they forget the law of honouring parents. His own father and mother must complain of him to the elders of the city. Children who forget their duty, must thank themselves, and not blame their parents, if they are regarded with less and less affection. He must be publicly stoned to death by the men of his city. Disobedience to a parent's authority must be very evil, when such a punishment was ordered; nor is it less provoking to God now, though it escapes punishment in this world. But when young people early become slaves to sensual appetites, the heart soon grows hard, and the conscience callous; and we can expect nothing but rebellion and destruction.