Bible Strands
Luke 12:47
That servant who knows his master’s will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks to his disciples during a teaching on spiritual vigilance, immediately following a warning about the master's unexpected return in Luke 12:46.
The words — γνοὺς (gnous) means "having known," and θέλημα (thelēma) means "will," highlighting the servant's prior awareness of the master's command.
The thread — This principle of accountability for known duty appears in James 4:17 regarding failure to do the right thing, and in John 9:41 where claimed sight increases guilt.
Why it lands — The text states that deliberate disobedience by one who knows the master's will brings severe punishment, requiring immediate alignment of action with received instruction.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- James 4:17 Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin.
- John 9:41 “If you were blind,” Jesus replied, “you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim you can see, your guilt remains.”
- John 12:48 There is a judge for the one who rejects Me and does not receive My words: The word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.
- John 15:22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin.
- Deuteronomy 25:2 If the guilty man deserves to be beaten, the judge shall have him lie down and be flogged in his presence with the number of lashes his crime warrants.
- Acts 17:30 Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent.
- Numbers 15:30 But the person who sins defiantly, whether a native or foreigner, blasphemes the LORD. That person shall be cut off from among his people.
- 2 Corinthians 2:15 For we are to God the sweet aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.
- John 19:11 Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed Me over to you is guilty of greater sin.”
- Matthew 11:22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.