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.
Original Language Analysis
ἐκεῖνος
that
G1565
ἐκεῖνος
that
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
1 of 22
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
τὸ
which
G3588
τὸ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δοῦλος
servant
G1401
δοῦλος
servant
Strong's:
G1401
Word #:
4 of 22
a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)
τὸ
which
G3588
τὸ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γνοὺς
knew
G1097
γνοὺς
knew
Strong's:
G1097
Word #:
6 of 22
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
τὸ
which
G3588
τὸ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θέλημα
to his will
G2307
θέλημα
to his will
Strong's:
G2307
Word #:
8 of 22
a determination (properly, the thing), i.e., (actively) choice (specially, purpose, decree; abstractly, volition) or (passively) inclination
τὸ
which
G3588
τὸ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κυρίου
lord's
G2962
κυρίου
lord's
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
10 of 22
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
ἑαυτοῦ,
his
G1438
ἑαυτοῦ,
his
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
11 of 22
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
13 of 22
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
μηδὲ
himself neither
G3366
μηδὲ
himself neither
Strong's:
G3366
Word #:
15 of 22
but not, not even; in a continued negation, nor
ποιήσας
did
G4160
ποιήσας
did
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
16 of 22
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
πρὸς
according
G4314
πρὸς
according
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
17 of 22
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τὸ
which
G3588
τὸ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θέλημα
to his will
G2307
θέλημα
to his will
Strong's:
G2307
Word #:
19 of 22
a determination (properly, the thing), i.e., (actively) choice (specially, purpose, decree; abstractly, volition) or (passively) inclination
αὐτοῦ
G846
αὐτοῦ
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
20 of 22
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
Cross References
James 4:17Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.John 9:41Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.John 12:48He 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.Acts 17:30And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Historical Context
Roman and Jewish law practiced corporal punishment, with the number of stripes proportional to the offense's severity. Jewish law limited flogging to forty lashes (Deuteronomy 25:3), later reduced to thirty-nine to avoid accidental excess (2 Corinthians 11:24). This cultural context makes the "many stripes" comprehensible—severe but measured punishment. Jesus' teaching established a principle the New Testament develops: greater privilege brings greater accountability. James warns that teachers receive stricter judgment (James 3:1). Those who sin against greater light face greater condemnation (Hebrews 10:26-31).
Questions for Reflection
- How does knowing God's will but not obeying it increase rather than decrease guilt and judgment?
- What does proportional punishment based on knowledge teach about divine justice and human accountability?
- In what areas of life might you possess clear knowledge of God's will yet fail to prepare yourself or act accordingly?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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 (ἐκεῖνος δὲ ὁ δοῦλος ὁ γνοὺς τὸ θέλημα τοῦ κυρίου αὐτοῦ καὶ μὴ ἑτοιμάσας ἢ ποιήσας πρὸς τὸ θέλημα αὐτοῦ δαρήσεται πολλάς, ekeinos de ho doulos ho gnous to thelēma tou kyriou autou kai mē hetoimasas ē poiēsas pros to thelēma autou darēsetai pollas)—This verse establishes the principle of proportional judgment based on knowledge. The aorist participle gnous (γνούς, having known) indicates definite knowledge of the master's will (to thelēma, τὸ θέλημα). Yet despite knowing, the servant neither prepared (hetoimasas, ἑτοιμάσας) nor acted (poiēsas, ποιήσας) according to that will.
The passive verb darēsetai (δαρήσεται, will be beaten) with the cognate accusative pollas (πολλάς, many stripes) indicates severe punishment—literally "will be beaten with many." The severity corresponds to the knowledge possessed. Greater knowledge of God's will creates greater responsibility; disobedience despite knowledge brings greater judgment. This principle appears throughout Scripture: "to whom much is given, of him shall much be required" (verse 48). The servant who knows but doesn't obey faces stricter judgment than one who acts in ignorance. Knowledge without obedience compounds guilt rather than excusing it.