Luke 12:48

46 The master of that servant will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not anticipate. Then he will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.

47 That servant who knows his master’s will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows.

But the one who unknowingly does things worthy of punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from him who has been entrusted with much, even more will be demanded.

49 I have come to ignite a fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!

50 But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished!

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
But the one who unknowingly does things worthy of punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from him who has been entrusted with much, even more will be demanded.
KJV
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.
WEB
but he who didn’t know, and did things worthy of stripes, will be beaten with few stripes. To whomever much is given, of him will much be required; and to whom much was entrusted, of him more will be asked.
ASV
but he that knew not, and did things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few [stripes]. And to whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required: and to whom they commit much, of him will they ask the more.
DARBY
but he who knew [it] not, and did things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few. And to every one to whom much has been given, much shall be required from him; and to whom [men] have committed much, they will ask from him the more.
BLB
But the one not having known but having done [things] worthy of stripes will be beaten with few. And of everyone to whom much was given, much will be required; and from him to whom much was committed, more will they ask of him.
ÅB
men den som ikke kjente den, men gjorde det som er slag verd, han skal få færre. Hver den som meget er gitt, av ham skal meget kreves, og den som meget er overgitt, av ham skal dess mere fordres.
OTB
Men den som ikke vet og gjør ting som fortjener straff, vil bli slått med få slag. Fra alle som har fått mye, vil mye bli krevd; og fra den som har fått mye betrodd, vil enda mer bli bedt om.
B1930
men den som ikke kjente den, men gjorde det som er slag verd, han skal få færre. Hver den som meget er gitt, av ham skal meget kreves, og den som meget er overgitt, av ham skal dess mere fordres.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • James 3:1

    Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

    Read in context
  • Leviticus 5:17

    If someone sins and violates any of the LORD’s commandments even though he was unaware, he is guilty and shall bear his punishment.

    Read in context
  • Luke 16:10–12

    Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 25:14–29

    For it is just like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted them with his possessions.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 13:12

    Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.

    Read in context
  • 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.

    Read in context
  • 1 Timothy 1:13

    I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy.

    Read in context
  • Romans 2:12–16

    All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law.

    Read in context