Luke 12 47

Luke 12:47 kjv

And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

Luke 12:47 nkjv

And that servant who knew his master's will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

Luke 12:47 niv

"The servant who knows the master's will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows.

Luke 12:47 esv

And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating.

Luke 12:47 nlt

"And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn't prepared and doesn't carry out those instructions, will be severely punished.

Luke 12 verses

Luke 12 47 Meaning

Luke 12:47 communicates a fundamental principle of divine justice: a servant who is fully aware of their master’s specific instructions but intentionally fails to prepare themselves or carry out those commands will face severe consequences. It highlights that increased knowledge and understanding bring increased responsibility and, therefore, a more stringent judgment for disobedience.

Luke 12 47 Context

Luke 12:47 is part of Jesus’ teaching on watchfulness and responsible stewardship, prompted by Peter’s question in verse 41 regarding who the preceding parable of the watchful servants applies to – the disciples or everyone. Jesus responds with the parable of the faithful and unfaithful servant (Luke 12:42-48). This parable portrays a master who delegates authority to his chief steward. The faithful steward is commended for readiness and faithful provision, while the unfaithful steward abuses his position, resulting in severe punishment. Verse 47, along with verse 48, articulates the principle of proportionate judgment that concludes this parable, clarifying that judgment is based on the degree of knowledge and opportunity. Historically, masters would entrust considerable authority to household managers or servants. Punishment by stripes (flogging) was a common form of discipline, with severity often reflecting the gravity of the offense.

Luke 12 47 Word analysis

• And that servant: Greek: kai ekeinos ho doulos (καὶ ἐκεῖνος ὁ δοῦλος). Doulos signifies a bondservant or slave, emphasizing total ownership and submission to the master's will. In the New Testament, believers are often described as servants of God or Christ (Rom 1:1; Phil 1:1), denoting a devoted, unreserved relationship of allegiance. This specific servant is a key figure in the master's household, implying trust and responsibility.
• who knew: Greek: hos gnous (ὃς γνοὺς). From ginōskō (γινώσκω), meaning to know, perceive, understand, or come to know through experience. It implies a conscious, comprehensive understanding of the master's directive, not mere intellectual assent or fleeting awareness. This knowledge makes the servant accountable.
• his master’s will: Greek: to thelēma tou kyriou autou (τὸ θέλημα τοῦ κυρίου αὐτοῦ). Thelēma refers to the will, desire, or purpose. This is the master's specific command, expectation, or overall intent. In a spiritual sense, it refers to God's divine purpose, commandments, and ethical expectations.
• and did not prepare himself: Greek: kai mē hetoimasas (καὶ μὴ ἑτοιμάσας). Hetoimazō means to prepare, make ready, or put in order. The negation (mē) emphasizes a deliberate failure not just to act, but to make the internal or practical arrangements necessary for obedience. This suggests a lack of seriousness or willingness.
• or do according to his will: Greek: mē poiēsas pro ho thelēma autou (μὴ ποιήσας πρὸς τὸ θέλημα αὐτοῦ). Poieō means to do, make, or perform. This phrase points to the direct omission or active failure to carry out the known command. The "or" implies that even without specific preparation, simply failing to act in accordance with the known will is culpable.
• shall be beaten: Greek: darēsetai (δαρήσεται). From derō (δέρειν), meaning to flay, flog, or beat. It denotes a physical, often painful, punishment. Metaphorically, it refers to a form of severe judgment or divine chastisement.
• with many stripes: Greek: pollas plēgas (πολλὰς πληγάς). Pollas means many, and plēgas refers to strokes, blows, or stripes inflicted by scourging. This indicates a severe measure of punishment, reflecting the gravity of the offense committed with full knowledge. It contrasts with the "few stripes" for those who sinned in ignorance (v. 48).

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And that servant who knew his master’s will": This foundational phrase establishes the servant’s culpability. The explicit "knowing" highlights that their disobedience was not due to ignorance but a deliberate choice. It sets the stage for a judgment proportionate to their informed state.
• "and did not prepare himself or do according to his will": This describes the nature of the servant's failure. It is two-fold: a failure in inner disposition (lack of readiness/preparation) and a failure in outward action (failure to perform the duty). This combination signifies willful negligence and a complete disregard for the master's instructions.
• "shall be beaten with many stripes": This is the pronounced consequence. The phrase signifies a severe and deserved punishment. The "many stripes" communicate a judgment whose intensity aligns with the higher degree of awareness and responsibility possessed by the servant. This punishment reflects a just response to conscious and deliberate disobedience.

Luke 12 47 Bonus section

This verse establishes the biblical principle of proportionate justice, where greater light (knowledge) entails greater responsibility and a more severe reckoning for deliberate disobedience. It dispels any notion that simply possessing spiritual knowledge or holding a position within the "household of faith" grants immunity from judgment; rather, it intensifies accountability. The "preparation" aspect (hetoimasas) is crucial. It’s not just about doing or not doing, but about one's readiness, attitude, and internal disposition towards obedience. A lack of preparedness often precedes a failure to perform, indicating a heart not genuinely yielded to the Master’s desires. This teaching underscores that God's justice is not uniform for all offenses but takes into account a person's level of awareness and privilege.

Luke 12 47 Commentary

Luke 12:47 delivers a sobering message concerning accountability, especially for those entrusted with greater knowledge of God’s will. This verse is not about arbitrary punishment but highlights a principle of equitable justice where judgment aligns with understanding and opportunity. The "servant" represents believers or those within the household of faith, implying that this warning is particularly pertinent to followers of Christ, including leaders and teachers, who possess revelation. To "know" the master's will implies more than just intellectual awareness; it involves an intimate, conscious understanding of what God requires. The failure lies not merely in action ("did not do"), but also in a lack of internal readiness or intention ("did not prepare himself"). This emphasizes that negligence and unresponsiveness to God's known commands, whether active defiance or passive omission, incur divine displeasure. The "many stripes" denote a punishment greater in severity than for those who err in ignorance (as indicated in the following verse, Lk 12:48). This underscores the serious spiritual implications of having divine truth revealed and yet choosing not to align one's life with it. It serves as a powerful reminder for every believer to actively and obediently live out the truths they have come to know.

• Practical Example: A Sunday School teacher knows the biblical mandate to forgive, teaches it regularly, yet personally harbors bitterness against someone who offended them. Their knowing and teaching without applying the truth would align with this verse's warning.