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.
What does Luke 12:48 mean?
All are to take to themselves what Christ says in his word, and to inquire concerning it.
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside Luke 12:44-48 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Luke 12:48
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. Few stripes - The Jews never inflicted more than forty stripes for one offence, Deuteronomy 25:3 . For smaller offences they inflicted only four, five, six, etc., according to the nature of the crime. In allusion to this, our Lord says that he "that knew not" - that is, he who had comparatively little knowledge - would suffer a punishment proportionally light. He refers, doubtless, to those who have fewer opportunities, smaller gifts, or fewer teachers. Much is given - They who have much committed to their disposal, as stewards, etc.
Key words
- commit
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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.
Context in Luke 12
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Luke 12 belongs to the middle movement of the book, especially the section often described as Galilean ministry. Luke emphasizes salvation for the poor and the outsider, prayer, joy, women, table fellowship, the Holy Spirit, and the universal reach of Christ’s mission. Read this chapter with the wider themes of salvation, Spirit, and prayer in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
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Passages on asking, persistence, confession, dependence, and the way prayer shapes Christian life and attention.
Bible verses about justice and mercy
Key texts on public righteousness, neighbor-love, social ethics, compassion, and the prophetic refusal to separate worship from justice.
Central texts on sin, grace, faith, Christ’s saving work, and the Bible’s announcement that salvation is received rather than achieved.
Passages on the nature of truth, honesty, deception, the word of God as truth, and Jesus' claim to be the truth.
Who quoted Luke 12:48?
Find out who used Luke 12:48 in their speeches and writings. Which famous people quoted Luke 12:48?
Gerald R. Ford used Luke 12:48 in Remarks at the Southern Baptist Convention in Norfolk, Virginia..
APP: Remarks at the Southern Baptist Convention in Norfolk, Virginia. »
Jimmy Carter used Luke 12:48 in Atlanta, Georgia Remarks to Members of the Southern Baptist Brotherhood Commission..
APP: Atlanta, Georgia Remarks to Members of the Southern Baptist Brotherhood Commission. »
Quotes found on Wikiquote (match for «unto whomsoever much is given»):