Luke 12:48-50 New English Translation
48 But the one who did not know his master’s will[a] and did things worthy of punishment[b] will receive a light beating.[c] From everyone who has been given much, much will be required,[d] and from the one who has been entrusted with much,[e] even more will be asked.[f]
Not Peace, but Division
49 “I have come[g] to bring[h] fire on the earth—and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 I have a baptism[i] to undergo,[j] and how distressed I am until it is finished!
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- Luke 12:48 tn Grk “did not know”; the phrase “his master’s will” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were frequently omitted in Greek when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the contemporary English reader.
- Luke 12:48 tn Grk “blows.”
- Luke 12:48 tn Grk “will receive few (blows).”
- Luke 12:48 tn Grk “required from him,” but the words “from him” are redundant in English and have not been translated.
- Luke 12:48 sn Entrusted with much. To be gifted with precious responsibility is something that requires faithfulness.
- Luke 12:48 tn Grk “they will ask even more.”
- Luke 12:49 sn This mission statement, “I have come to bring fire on the earth,” looks to the purging and division Jesus causes: See Luke 3:9, 17; 9:54; 17:29 for fire, 5:32; 7:34; 9:58; 12:51 for the topic of mission.
- Luke 12:49 tn Grk “cast.” For βάλλω (ballō) in the sense of causing a state or condition, see L&N 13.14.
- Luke 12:50 sn The figure of the baptism is variously interpreted, as some see a reference (1) to martyrdom or (2) to inundation with God’s judgment. The OT background, however, suggests the latter sense: Jesus is about to be uniquely inundated with God’s judgment as he is rejected, persecuted, and killed (Pss 18:4, 16; 42:7; 69:1-2; Isa 8:7-8; 30:27-28; Jonah 2:3-6).
- Luke 12:50 tn Grk “to be baptized with.”
New English Translation (NET)
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