Luke 12:46

Authorized King James Version

The 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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

ἥξει

G2240

will come

to arrive, i.e., be present (literally or figuratively)

ὁ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κύριος

G2962

The lord

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

τοῦ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δούλου

G1401

servant

a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)

ἐκείνου

G1565

of that

that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed

ἐν

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ἡμέρᾳ

G2250

a day

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

ᾗ

G3739

when

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

#10

οὐ

G3756

not

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

#11

προσδοκᾷ

G4328

for

to anticipate (in thought, hope or fear); by implication, to await

#12

καὶ

G2532

and

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

#13

ἐν

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

#14

ὥρᾳ

G5610

an hour

an "hour" (literally or figuratively)

#15

ᾗ

G3739

when

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

#16

οὐ

G3756

not

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

#17

γινώσκει

G1097

aware

to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)

#18

καὶ

G2532

and

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

#19

διχοτομήσει

G1371

in sunder

to bisect, i.e., (by extension) to flog severely

#20

αὐτοῦ

G846

him

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

#21

καὶ

G2532

and

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

#22

τὸ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#23

μέρος

G3313

portion

a division or share (literally or figuratively, in a wide application)

#24

αὐτοῦ

G846

him

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

#25

μετὰ

G3326

with

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

#26

τῶν

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#27

ἀπίστων

G571

the unbelievers

(actively) disbelieving, i.e., without christian faith (specially, a heathen); (passively) untrustworthy (person), or incredible (thing)

#28

θήσει

G5087

will appoint

to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from g2476, which pr

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Luke Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?

Related Resources

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Luke 12:46

Analysis

Historical Context

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Topics

People

Study Resources