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.

LUKE 12:46KJV
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Luke 12:46 (KJV)

What does Luke 12:46 mean?

Luke 12:46 warns that the master will return unexpectedly and punish the servant who was not ready, giving him the same fate as those who do not believe. The verse uses strong language to show the seriousness of being unfaithful or careless when entrusted with responsibility.

Jesus is speaking to his disciples and a crowd, using a parable about servants and their master to teach about being watchful and responsible. The verse comes in the middle of a longer teaching about readiness for the coming of the Son of Man, stressing that no one knows when the master will return, so servants must always be faithful.

The Greek behind Luke 12:46

  • κύριος (kyrios, "lord"): This word means "master" or "lord" and refers to the one in authority over the servant. It highlights the power difference and the servant’s responsibility to the master.
  • διχοτομέω (dichotomeō, "cut in sunder"): This strong verb means to cut in two or severely punish. It emphasizes the seriousness of the servant’s failure and the harsh consequences described in the parable.
  • μερὶς (meris, "portion"): This word means "share" or "lot." The servant’s "portion with the unbelievers" shows he will be treated as those outside the master's favor, not just lightly disciplined.
  • ἀπίστος (apistos, "unbelievers"): This term refers to those who do not trust or follow the master. Being grouped with them is a warning about the outcome of unfaithfulness.

Why Luke 12:46 matters

  • Luke 12:46 clears up the idea that there will always be time to change or prepare later; the master’s coming is sudden and unpredictable.
  • The verse highlights that responsibility and trust come with real consequences, not just for outsiders but for those who are supposed to be inside the household.
  • This warning connects to the wider teaching in Luke 12 about readiness and faithfulness, showing that Jesus expects his followers to live with constant awareness of their responsibilities.

Where else these words appear

“cut” Greek G1371 · used in 2 verses

  • Matthew 24:51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

“looketh” Greek G4328 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 11:3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?
  • Luke 7:19 And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
  • Acts 27:33 And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.

“unbelievers” Greek G571 · used in 21 verses

  • Matthew 17:17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.
  • 1 Corinthians 7:12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.
  • 1 Corinthians 14:24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:

“come” Greek G2240 · used in 26 verses

  • Matthew 8:11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.
  • Luke 19:43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,
  • Hebrews 10:9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.