Luke 12:47

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].

And {G1161} that {G1565} servant {G1401}, which {G3588} knew {G1097} his {G1438} lord's {G2962} will {G2307}, and {G2532} prepared {G2090} not {G3361} himself, neither {G3366} did {G4160} according {G4314} to his {G846} will {G2307}, shall be beaten {G1194} with many {G4183} stripes.

Now the servant who knew what his master wanted but didn’t prepare or act according to his will, will be whipped with many lashes;

That servant who knows his master’s will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows.

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;

Context of Luke 12:47

Luke 12:47 is part of a longer discourse by Jesus concerning watchfulness, preparedness, and accountability, delivered to His disciples and the surrounding crowd. This particular verse follows the Parable of the Faithful and Wise Steward (Luke 12:42-46). In this parable, Jesus describes different categories of servants and their treatment based on their faithfulness and understanding of their master's will. Verse 47 specifically addresses the servant who possessed clear knowledge of his master's desires but chose not to act accordingly, highlighting a principle of divine judgment rooted in awareness and responsibility.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Accountability for Knowledge: The primary message is that greater knowledge brings greater responsibility. The servant's punishment is directly tied to his awareness of his master's will. This principle suggests that those who have received more revelation or understanding of God's commands are held to a higher standard of obedience.
  • Consequences of Willful Disobedience: This verse distinguishes between ignorance and deliberate rebellion. The servant "knew his lord's will" but "prepared not himself" and "neither did according to his will." This active refusal to obey, despite knowing what was required, leads to more severe consequences.
  • Divine Justice and Judgment: Jesus uses this illustration to convey a spiritual truth about God's just judgment. Punishment is meted out not arbitrarily, but in proportion to the degree of knowledge and the intentionality of disobedience. The "many stripes" symbolize a severe and deserved penalty.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "knew his lord's will" comes from the Greek word gnous (from ginosko), which implies a deep, experiential knowledge, not just casual acquaintance. This emphasizes the servant's full awareness and understanding of what was expected. The term "shall be beaten with many stripes" (Greek: pollas plegas) refers to a severe lashing, a common and painful form of punishment in the ancient world, indicating a significant and painful consequence for the servant's negligence and disobedience. This imagery vividly portrays the gravity of failing to act on known divine truth, similar to instances of physical punishment mentioned elsewhere, such as Paul and Silas being beaten with many stripes in Acts 16:23.

Practical Application

Luke 12:47 serves as a profound warning and a call to introspection for believers today. As recipients of God's Word, we have access to His revealed will. This verse challenges us to consider:

  • Our Response to God's Word: Do we merely hear or read God's commands, or do we actively strive to live them out? Knowledge of scripture or Christian doctrine without corresponding action can lead to spiritual complacency and carries serious implications.
  • Stewardship of Spiritual Truth: Believers are entrusted with the gospel and the teachings of Christ. This verse underscores our responsibility to be doers of the Word, not hearers only (James 1:22).
  • Greater Responsibility for Leaders: Those in positions of spiritual leadership or teaching, who possess a deeper understanding of God's will, bear an even greater weight of responsibility and accountability.

This verse sets the stage for the well-known principle articulated in the very next verse, Luke 12:48, which states, "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required." It reminds us that our spiritual blessings and knowledge come with significant obligations.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • James 4:17

    Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth [it] not, to him it is sin.

  • John 9:41

    Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

  • John 12:48

    He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

  • John 15:22

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

  • John 15:24

    If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.

  • 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 fault, by a certain number.

  • Deuteronomy 25:3

    Forty stripes he may give him, [and] not exceed: lest, [if] he should exceed, and beat him above these with many stripes, then thy brother should seem vile unto thee.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back