Luke 12:46
What does Luke 12:46 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 12:46 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 12:46 means
The master comes on a day and hour the servant does not expect, executes severe judgment—cutting him asunder—and assigns him a portion with the unfaithful. The language conveys the seriousness of betraying trust and abusing people. Hidden deeds meet sudden justice. The unfaithful servant ends up where he belongs, among those who did not live under the master’s rule. The picture is sobering: authority magnifies accountability, and presuming on delay is deadly. The certainty of judgment should restrain cruelty and awaken repentance while there is time.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he expecteth not, and in an hour when he knoweth not, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint his portion with the unfaithful.
KJV
King James Version · 1611The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he expecteth not, and in an hour when he knoweth not, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint his portion with the unfaithful.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The lord of that servant will come at a time when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not ready for him, and he will have him cut in two and will give him his part in the fate of those who have no faith;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862the lord of that servant will come in a day in which he doth not look for <FI>him<Fi> , and in an hour that he doth not know, and will cut him off, and his portion with the unfaithful he will appoint.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The lord of that servant will come in the day that he hopeth not, and at the hour that he knoweth not: and shall separate him and shall appoint him his portion with unbelievers.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890the lord of that bondman shall come in a day when he does not expect it, and in an hour he knows not of, and shall cut him in two and appoint his portion with the unbelievers.
Context
This verdict concludes the contrast between faithful and abusive stewardship. It underscores the unpredictability of the master’s return and the severity of consequences. Jesus will now refine the principle by addressing degrees of responsibility and punishment, distinguishing between those who knew the master’s will and refused it and those who acted in ignorance.
v.45But if that servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;
v.46This passage
v.47And that servant, who knew his lord’s will, and made not ready, nor did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes;
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 12:19
And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, be merry.
- Luke 12:40
Be ye also ready: for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh.
- Psalms 11:5
Jehovah trieth the righteous; But the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.
- Matthew 7:22
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works?
- Matthew 13:49
So shall it be in the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the righteous,
- Matthew 24:51
and shall cut him asunder, and appoint his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.
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