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].

KJV (with Strong's)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible

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;

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 12:47 presents a solemn warning from Jesus concerning the severe consequences awaiting a servant who, fully aware of his master's explicit desires, deliberately chooses not to prepare or act in accordance with that known will. This verse underscores the principle that greater knowledge brings greater accountability, and that intentional disobedience, rather than mere ignorance, incurs a more stringent judgment. It serves as a stark reminder of the spiritual implications of neglecting revealed truth and failing to live out the commands of God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 12:47 is embedded within a broader discourse by Jesus on watchfulness, stewardship, and accountability, addressed to His disciples and the surrounding crowd. It directly follows the [Parable of the Faithful and Wise Steward](/luke/12-42-46 "Luke 12:42-46 - The Parable of the Faithful and Wise Steward"), which illustrates the differing fates of servants based on their faithfulness and understanding of their master's return and expectations. This specific verse describes the most culpable servant, one who possessed clear knowledge of his master's intentions but willfully chose inaction and disobedience. It then sets the stage for the well-known principle articulated in the very next verse, [Luke 12:48](/luke/12-48 "Luke 12:48 - To Whom Much Is Given"), which further elaborates on the proportional nature of divine judgment based on the degree of revelation and responsibility.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Greco-Roman world, the master-servant relationship was a fundamental social structure. Servants (δοῦλοι, _douloi_) were considered property and were entirely subject to their master's will. Masters had absolute authority, including the right to inflict corporal punishment, such as scourging, for disobedience or negligence. The severity of punishment often correlated with the perceived culpability of the servant; a servant who knew the master's specific commands yet defied them would naturally face a harsher penalty than one who erred out of ignorance. This cultural understanding of authority, responsibility, and punitive measures provides a vivid backdrop for Jesus' parable, making its implications immediately comprehensible to His audience regarding divine accountability.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Luke's Gospel and biblical theology. Primarily, it highlights **Accountability for Knowledge**, asserting that those who have received greater revelation or understanding of God's will are held to a higher standard of obedience. The servant's punishment is directly proportional to his awareness. Secondly, it emphasizes the gravity of **Willful Disobedience**, distinguishing it sharply from ignorance. The servant "knew his lord's will" but "prepared not himself, neither did according to his will," indicating a deliberate refusal to obey, which incurs more severe consequences. This theme resonates with other warnings against intentional sin, such as those found in [Hebrews 10:26-27](/hebrews/10-26-27 "Hebrews 10:26-27 - Willful Sin and Judgment"). Lastly, the verse illustrates the principle of **Divine Justice and Judgment**, where consequences are meted out not arbitrarily, but justly, reflecting the degree of knowledge and the intentionality of the transgression, a concept echoed throughout scripture, including [Romans 2:12](/romans/2-12 "Romans 2:12 - Judgment According to Law").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **servant (Greek, _doûlos'_):** This term refers to a slave, whether literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary. In this context, it signifies a person in a position of complete subjection or subservience to a master. The use of "servant" here emphasizes the inherent duty and obligation to obey the master's will, highlighting the servant's moral culpability for failing to fulfill a known responsibility.
* **knew (Greek, _ginṓskō'_):** This Greek verb implies a deep, experiential, and often intimate knowledge, not merely a superficial acquaintance or intellectual understanding. It suggests that the servant had full awareness and comprehension of his lord's will, making his subsequent inaction a deliberate choice rather than an oversight. This profound knowledge elevates the servant's responsibility significantly.
* **beaten (Greek, _dérō'_):** This primary verb means "to flay," and by implication, "to scourge" or "to thrash." It describes a severe form of physical punishment involving lashing or beating. The use of this word vividly conveys the painful and significant consequences awaiting the disobedient servant, symbolizing a severe divine judgment for intentional disregard of known truth.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And that servant, which knew his lord's will,"**: This clause establishes the servant's culpability. The emphasis is on the servant's clear and profound understanding (from _ginṓskō_) of what his master desired and expected. This knowledge is the foundational premise for the subsequent judgment.
* **"and prepared not [himself],"**: This phrase highlights the servant's failure to act proactively in anticipation of his master's return or in alignment with his known will. It implies a lack of diligence, readiness, or spiritual preparedness, indicating a deliberate neglect of duty despite awareness.
* **"neither did according to his will,"**: This further specifies the nature of the servant's disobedience. It's not just a lack of preparation, but an active failure to perform the master's specific commands or to live in conformity with his known expectations. This signifies a willful act of rebellion or negligence against explicit instructions.
* **"shall be beaten with many [stripes]."**: This final clause states the severe consequence for such deliberate disobedience. The "many stripes" symbolize a harsh and extensive punishment, proportional to the servant's high degree of knowledge and intentional disregard. It signifies a significant and painful judgment for failing to act on revealed truth.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 12:47 employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The verse is part of a larger **Parable**, a narrative used by Jesus to illustrate spiritual truths through relatable, earthly scenarios. The master-servant relationship serves as an **Allegory** for God's relationship with humanity, and the servant's actions and consequences allegorize human accountability to divine will. The phrase "shall be beaten with many stripes" utilizes **Symbolism**, where the physical punishment represents the spiritual consequences or divine judgment for deliberate disobedience. Furthermore, there is an implicit **Contrast** between this servant and the one who did not know his master's will (mentioned in [Luke 12:48](/luke/12-48 "Luke 12:48 - The Principle of Proportionate Accountability")), highlighting the varying degrees of accountability based on knowledge.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 12:47 profoundly articulates the biblical principle of proportionate accountability, emphasizing that divine judgment is not arbitrary but is meted out according to the measure of light received and the intentionality of one's actions. This verse underscores the gravity of knowing God's will—whether through His revealed Word, the promptings of the Holy Spirit, or the conscience—yet choosing to disregard it. It speaks to the inherent responsibility that comes with spiritual understanding and the serious implications of willful disobedience. The "many stripes" serve as a stark reminder that God takes our knowledge of His truth seriously and expects a corresponding response of obedience and faithfulness. This principle resonates throughout Scripture, affirming God's justice and His expectation that those who claim to know Him will live in alignment with His character and commands.

* [James 4:17](/james/4-17 "James 4:17 - Knowing Good and Not Doing It Is Sin")
* [Deuteronomy 25:2-3](/deuteronomy/25-2-3 "Deuteronomy 25:2-3 - Limits on Scourging")
* [Hebrews 10:26-27](/hebrews/10-26-27 "Hebrews 10:26-27 - Willful Sin After Receiving Knowledge of the Truth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 12:47 serves as a piercing call to introspection for every believer. As recipients of God's abundant grace and His revealed Word, we are entrusted with profound spiritual knowledge concerning His will for our lives and for the world. This verse challenges us to move beyond mere intellectual assent to biblical truths and to actively embody them in our daily walk. It compels us to ask if we are truly "preparing ourselves" and "doing according to His will" in light of what we know. The warning of "many stripes" is not meant to instill fear in the obedient, but to awaken the complacent and to highlight the serious spiritual consequences of neglecting or deliberately defying the Lord's known commands. For those in positions of spiritual leadership or teaching, this verse carries an even weightier implication, as greater understanding of God's will naturally brings a greater measure of responsibility and accountability before Him. Our spiritual blessings and knowledge are not merely privileges but come with significant obligations to live out the truth we have received.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I aware of God's will, but find myself failing to act accordingly?**
* **How does my daily life reflect my knowledge of God's commands and character?**
* **Am I actively preparing myself for the Lord's return, or am I complacent in my spiritual walk?**
* **What steps can I take to bridge the gap between what I know to be true about God's will and how I live?**

### FAQ

**Does this verse imply that some people will receive a harsher punishment in hell than others?**

Answer: Yes, Luke 12:47, especially when read in conjunction with [Luke 12:48](/luke/12-48 "Luke 12:48 - The Principle of Proportionality"), strongly suggests that there will be differing degrees of judgment and punishment. The servant who knew his master's will and disobeyed is beaten with "many stripes," while the one who did not know and acted wrongly is beaten with "few stripes." This principle indicates that accountability is proportional to the knowledge and opportunity one has received. While the ultimate fate of those outside of Christ is separation from God, the intensity or nature of their suffering may vary based on their willful rejection of revealed truth. This concept is also echoed in other passages, such as [Matthew 11:20-24](/matthew/11-20-24 "Matthew 11:20-24 - Woes to Unrepentant Cities"), where Jesus declares that it will be "more tolerable" for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for cities that witnessed His miracles yet did not repent.

**What does "knew his lord's will" mean for believers today?**

Answer: For believers today, "knew his lord's will" refers to our access to God's revealed truth through the Scriptures, the teaching of the Church, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We have the full counsel of God's Word, which clearly outlines His commands, desires, and purposes for humanity and for His people. This includes ethical guidelines, calls to discipleship, commands to love God and neighbor, and the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations. To "know His lord's will" means to have understood these truths and to be aware of God's expectations for our lives. Therefore, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that our knowledge of biblical truth comes with a profound responsibility to live in obedience to it, rather than merely accumulating information without corresponding action. As [James 1:22](/james/1-22 "James 1:22 - Be Doers of the Word") exhorts, we are called to be "doers of the word, and not hearers only."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Luke 12:47 issues a stern warning about accountability for known disobedience, it also implicitly points to the profound grace and perfect obedience found in Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself is the ultimate "servant" of God, who perfectly "knew His Father's will" and, unlike the disobedient servant, flawlessly "prepared Himself" and "did according to His will" in every aspect of His life and ministry. His entire earthly existence, culminating in His willing sacrifice on the cross, was an act of perfect submission to the Father's design, as highlighted in [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience unto Death"). Through His sinless life, Jesus fulfilled all righteousness, providing the perfect obedience that humanity, represented by the disobedient servant, could not achieve. Moreover, for those who acknowledge their failure to live according to God's known will and turn to Him in faith, Jesus bears the "many stripes" of divine judgment on the cross, as prophesied in [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - By His Wounds We Are Healed"). He became the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, offering forgiveness and reconciliation to those who, despite their knowledge and failures, humble themselves and trust in His atoning work. Thus, this verse, while a warning, ultimately magnifies the necessity and glory of Christ's perfect obedience and His substitutionary sacrifice, which alone can deliver us from the "many stripes" our own disobedience justly deserves.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.