Devine Scripture

Luke 12:47

What does Luke 12:47 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 12:47 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 12:47 means

The servant who knew his lord’s will and failed to prepare or act accordingly will receive many stripes. Knowledge heightens responsibility. Willful neglect is not a minor fault; it is culpable disobedience. The image of many blows communicates measured, just retribution proportionate to awareness and refusal. This teaches that God’s judgment is neither arbitrary nor indifferent to privilege; revelation brings obligation. It calls those well-taught to put truth into practice, lest familiarity breed presumption.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And that servant, who knew his lord’s will, and made not ready, nor did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And that servant, who knew his lord’s will, and made not ready, nor did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the servant who had knowledge of his lord's desires and was not ready for him and did not do as he was ordered, will be given a great number of blows;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And that servant, who having known his lord's will, and not having prepared, nor having gone according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And that servant, who knew the will of his lord and prepared not himself and did not according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But that bondman who knew his own lord's will, and had not prepared [himself] nor done his will, shall be beaten with many [stripes];

Context

After the severe sentence on the abusive servant, Jesus specifies how accountability scales with knowledge. This emphasis continues in the next verse, where He distinguishes the ignorant from the informed and announces the famous principle: to whom much is given, much will be required. The flow moves from individual scenarios to a general maxim about stewardship and responsibility.

v.46the 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.

v.47This passage

v.48but he that knew not, and did things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. And to whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required: and to whom they commit much, of him will they ask the more.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 2 Corinthians 2:15

    For we are a sweet savor of Christ unto God, in them that are saved, and in them that perish;

  • Matthew 11:22

    But I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment, than for you.

  • Deuteronomy 25:2

    And it shall be, if the wicked man be worthy to be beaten, that the judge shall cause him to lie down, and to be beaten before his face, according to his wickedness, by number.

  • James 4:17

    To him therefore that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

  • John 15:22

    If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no excuse for their sin.

  • John 19:11

    Jesus answered him, Thou wouldest have no power against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath greater sin.

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