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.

LUKE 12:47KJV
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Luke 12:47 (KJV)

What does Luke 12:47 mean?

Luke 12:47 describes a servant who knows what his master wants but does not get ready or do what is expected, and as a result, is punished severely. The verse teaches that greater knowledge brings greater responsibility, and failing to act on what one knows is treated more seriously.

In this part of Luke, Jesus is speaking to his disciples and a crowd, using a story about servants and their master to explain accountability. The verse comes in the middle of a longer teaching about being watchful and faithful, showing that those who are aware of their duties are held to a higher standard than those who are ignorant.

The Greek behind Luke 12:47

  • The word for "servant" is δοῦλος (doulos), which means a slave or bondservant, someone under the authority of a master. This highlights the servant’s obligation to obey.
  • The Greek word for "knew" is γινώσκω (ginōskō), which means to know or understand. The emphasis is on conscious awareness, not ignorance or accident.
  • The phrase "many stripes" uses the word πολλάς (polys), meaning "many" or "a great number." This shows that the punishment is not minor but significant, matching the seriousness of the servant’s neglect.

Why Luke 12:47 matters

  • Luke 12:47 clarifies that knowing what is right increases one’s responsibility, countering the idea that knowledge alone is enough.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by showing that Jesus expects his followers to act faithfully and not just listen passively.
  • This verse helps explain why some are judged more strictly than others: it is not just about actions, but about what a person knows and chooses to do with that knowledge.

Where else these words appear

“beaten” Greek G1194 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 21:35 And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.
  • Luke 12:48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
  • Acts 5:40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

“prepared” Greek G2090 · used in 40 verses

  • Matthew 3:3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
  • Luke 1:76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
  • John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

“neither” Greek G3366 · used in 49 verses

  • Matthew 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
  • Luke 12:22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
  • 1 Corinthians 10:9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

“will” Greek G2307 · used in 60 verses

  • Matthew 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
  • Acts 21:14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
  • Colossians 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;