King James Version

What Does Luke 12:46 Mean?

Luke 12:46 in the King James Version says “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 c... — study this verse from Luke chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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. cut: or, cut him off

Luke 12:46 · KJV


Context

44

Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.

45

But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;

46

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. cut: or, cut him off

47

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.

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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 (ἥξει ὁ κύριος τοῦ δούλου ἐκείνου ἐν ἡμέρᾳ ᾗ οὐ προσδοκᾷ καὶ ἐν ὥρᾳ ᾗ οὐ γινώσκει, hēxei ho kyrios tou doulou ekeinou en hēmera hē ou prosdoka kai en hōra hē ou ginōskei)—The future tense hēxei (ἥξει, will come) assures the master's certain return despite the servant's presumption of delay. The temporal clauses emphasize unexpectedness: en hēmera hē ou prosdoka (ἐν ἡμέρᾳ ᾗ οὐ προσδοκᾷ, in a day when he expects not) and en hōra hē ou ginōskei (ἐν ὥρᾳ ᾗ οὐ γινώσκει, at an hour when he knows not). The unfaithful servant's ignorance isn't innocent—he willfully abandoned watchfulness.

And will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers (καὶ διχοτομήσει αὐτὸν καὶ τὸ μέρος αὐτοῦ μετὰ τῶν ἀπίστων θήσει, kai dichotomēsei auton kai to meros autou meta tōn apistōn thēsei)—The punishment is severe. The verb dichotomeō (διχοτομέω) literally means to cut in two, bisect—capital punishment by cutting apart (used literally or figuratively for severe judgment). The phrase to meros autou meta tōn apistōn (τὸ μέρος αὐτοῦ μετὰ τῶν ἀπίστων, his portion with the unbelievers) assigns the unfaithful servant to the same destiny as apistoi (ἄπιστοι, unbelievers, unfaithful ones). Despite outward profession and position, the evil servant's actions reveal unregenerate heart, resulting in eternal judgment alongside unbelievers.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This severe language reflects both literal ancient punishments (bisection was practiced in some ancient cultures) and metaphorical description of final judgment's horror. Jesus consistently warned that profession without transformation, position without faithfulness, and knowledge without obedience lead to condemnation (Matthew 7:21-23, 25:30). The early church recognized that apostasy from the faith proves one was never truly regenerated (1 John 2:19). Judas Iscariot exemplified this—close proximity to Jesus, entrusted with position, yet ultimately revealed as unregenerate and condemned.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the unfaithful servant's unexpected judgment teach about the danger of presuming upon God's patience?
  2. How does being assigned a portion with unbelievers demonstrate that outward position doesn't guarantee salvation?
  3. In what ways does this warning challenge nominal Christianity and religious profession without genuine transformation?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 28 words
ἥξει1 of 28

will come

G2240

to arrive, i.e., be present (literally or figuratively)

2 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κύριος3 of 28

The lord

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

τοῦ4 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δούλου5 of 28

servant

G1401

a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)

ἐκείνου6 of 28

of that

G1565

that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed

ἐν7 of 28

at

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ἡμέρᾳ8 of 28

a day

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

9 of 28

when

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

οὐ10 of 28

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

προσδοκᾷ11 of 28

for

G4328

to anticipate (in thought, hope or fear); by implication, to await

καὶ12 of 28

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐν13 of 28

at

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ὥρᾳ14 of 28

an hour

G5610

an "hour" (literally or figuratively)

15 of 28

when

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

οὐ16 of 28

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

γινώσκει17 of 28

aware

G1097

to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)

καὶ18 of 28

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

διχοτομήσει19 of 28

in sunder

G1371

to bisect, i.e., (by extension) to flog severely

αὐτοῦ20 of 28

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ21 of 28

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὸ22 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μέρος23 of 28

portion

G3313

a division or share (literally or figuratively, in a wide application)

αὐτοῦ24 of 28

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

μετὰ25 of 28

with

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

τῶν26 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀπίστων27 of 28

the unbelievers

G571

(actively) disbelieving, i.e., without christian faith (specially, a heathen); (passively) untrustworthy (person), or incredible (thing)

θήσει28 of 28

will appoint

G5087

to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from g2476, which pr


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 12:46 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 12:46 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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