Luke 12:48
What does Luke 12:48 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 12:48 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 12:48 means
He who did not know and did what deserved a beating will receive few stripes. Ignorance does not absolve, but it mitigates guilt. Then Jesus states the principle: much given means much required; much committed means greater demand. Gifts, opportunities, and authority are trusts, not trophies. This maxim both dignifies and sobers believers, especially leaders. It encourages faithful use of what God has placed in their hands and warns against squandering privileges. Accountability is calibrated to entrusted grace.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000but 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901but 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But he who, without knowledge, did things for which punishment is given, will get only a small number of blows. The man to whom much is given, will have to give much; if much is given into his care, of him more will be requested.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and he who, not having known, and having done things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few; and to every one to whom much was given, much shall be required from him; and to whom they did commit much, more abundantly they will ask of him.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But he that knew not and did things worthy of stripes shall be beaten with few stripes. And unto whomsoever much is given, of him much shall be required: and to whom they have committed much, of him they will demand the more.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890but he who knew [it] not, and did things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few. And to every one to whom much has been given, much shall be required from him; and to whom [men] have committed much, they will ask from him the more.
Context
This verse concludes the stewardship section by making explicit the proportionality of judgment and the weight of entrusted responsibility. With this principle laid down, Jesus shifts tone and topic, speaking of the fire He came to cast, His impending baptism of suffering, and the division His mission will bring—even within households—before rebuking the crowds for failing to read the spiritual moment.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Leviticus 5:17
And if any one sin, and do any of the things which Jehovah hath commanded not to be done; though he knew it not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity.
- 1 Corinthians 9:17
For if I do this of mine own will, I have a reward: but if not of mine own will, I have a stewardship intrusted to me.
- Acts 17:30
The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked; but now he commandeth men that they should all everywhere repent:
- James 3:1
Be not manyof youteachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment.
- 1 Timothy 1:13
though I was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: howbeit I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief;
- 1 Timothy 1:11
according to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
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