Matthew Poole and continuators on Exodus 21:15

15 And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.

Either 1. So as is before mentioned, ver. 12. so as they die. And to smite sometimes signifies to kill, as Gen. 4. 15. 2 King. 14. 5. compared with 2 Chron. 25. 3. And this may be here added by way of distinction, q. d. That killing of another man which is punished with death must be done presumptuously, but the killing of parents, though not done presumptuously, is a capital crime. Or 2. the meer smiting of them, to wit, wilfully, and dangerously. Nor will any think this law too severe that considers that this is an act full of horrid impiety against God, who hath so expresly and emphatically commanded children to honour their Parents, of highest and most unnatural ingratitude, and utterly destructive to humane Society.