48
"But suppose the servant does not know his master's wishes. And suppose he does things for which he should be punished. He will be beaten with only a few blows. "Much will be required of everyone who has been given much. Even more will be asked of the person who is supposed to take care of much.
Reference
Greek: εἰ μή (ei mḗ)
if not
Hebrew: ʼăbâl
nay, i.e. truly or yet
Greek: οἴομαι (oíomai)
to make like (oneself), i.e. imagine (be of the opinion)
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: θεράπων (therápōn)
a menial attendant (as if cherishing)
Hebrew: ʻăbad
a servant
Greek: οὐδαμῶς (oudamōs)
by no means
Hebrew: ʼîyn
is it not?
Greek: ἴσημι (ísēmi)
to know
Greek: τοῦ (toû)
sometimes used for G5127 (τούτου); of this person
Greek: ἐπιστάτης (epistátēs)
an appointee over, i.e. commander (teacher)
Greek: καίγε (kaíge)
and at least (or even, indeed)
Hebrew: kîy
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Greek: οἴομαι (oíomai)
to make like (oneself), i.e. imagine (be of the opinion)
Greek: ὅδε (hóde)
the same, i.e. this or that one (plural these or those); often used as a personal pronoun
Hebrew: hûwʼ
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are
Greek: ἀντί (antí)
opposite, i.e. instead or because of (rarely in addition to)
Hebrew: bᵉmôw
in, with, by, etc.
Greek: ὅδε (hóde)
the same, i.e. this or that one (plural these or those); often used as a personal pronoun
Hebrew: hûwʼ
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are
Greek: ἤμην (ḗmēn)
I was
Hebrew: hâvâʼ
to be (in the sense of existence)
Greek: ὅδε (hóde)
the same, i.e. this or that one (plural these or those); often used as a personal pronoun
Hebrew: hûwʼ
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are
Greek: θέλησις (thélēsis)
determination (properly, the act), i.e. option
Hebrew: tsᵉbâʼ
to please
Greek: ἤμην (ḗmēn)
I was
Hebrew: hâvâʼ
to be (in the sense of existence)
Hebrew: kâthîyth
beaten, i.e. pure (oil)
Hebrew: ʼechâd
properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first
Hebrew: mizʻâr
fewness; by implication, as superl. diminutiveness
Hebrew: mirbâh
abundance, i.e. a great quantity
Greek: θέλησις (thélēsis)
determination (properly, the act), i.e. option
Hebrew: tsᵉbâʼ
to please
Greek: ἤμην (ḗmēn)
I was
Hebrew: hâvâʼ
to be (in the sense of existence)
Hebrew: hârâh
to be (or become) pregnant, conceive (literally or figuratively)
Hebrew: mirbâh
abundance, i.e. a great quantity
Greek: μέν (mén)
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with G1161 (δέ) (this one, the former, etc.)
Hebrew: hêʼ
{lo!}
Greek: ἄλλος (állos)
"else," i.e. different (in many applications)
Greek: θέλησις (thélēsis)
determination (properly, the act), i.e. option
Hebrew: tsᵉbâʼ
to please
Greek: ἤμην (ḗmēn)
I was
Hebrew: hâvâʼ
to be (in the sense of existence)
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: ἐπιμελέομαι (epimeléomai)
to care for (physically or otherwise)
Hebrew: mirbâh
abundance, i.e. a great quantity
Verse Explanation
Jesus explains that the servant who did not know but still did wrong will receive a lighter punishment, then states the principle that everyone who has been given much will have much required of them. Greater privilege, knowledge, opportunity, and responsibility bring greater accountability. The principle applies especially to spiritual leaders and disciples who have received considerable knowledge of God's purposes.
History
1st century AD: This principle reflects broader Jewish concepts of responsibility according to knowledge and privilege.