12:48a

But the one who unknowingly does: This clause contains an ellipsis. It does not say what this servant unknowingly does. From the context, it is clear that this servant does not know his master’s will. In languages where this kind of ellipsis is unclear or unnatural, you should supply the implied information. For example:

But the servant who does not know ⌊what his master wants him to do⌋…

12:48b

does things worthy of punishment: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as does things worthy of punishment is more literally “having done (things) worthy of blows.” Other ways to translate this phrase are:

does something for which he deserves a whipping (Good News Translation)
-or-
does something wrong (New Living Translation (2004))

12:48c

will be beaten with few blows: You should translate this phrase in a way that clearly shows the contrast with the parallel phrase in 12:47c. Some ways to translate it in English are:

will be flogged less severely (Revised English Bible)
-or-
will not be beaten so hard (Contemporary English Version)

12:48d

From everyone who has been given much, much will be required: This saying is in the form of a proverb or general statement. It applies both to the way people relate to one another and also to the way God relates to people. When a master gives his servants great privileges, he expects those servants to serve him exceptionally well. Similarly, when God gives his people many gifts and blessings, he expects them to work hard for him.

Both clauses in this verse part contain passive verbs. Some ways to translate these verbs are:

• As passive verbs. For example:

When someone has been given much, much will be required in return (New Living Translation (2004))

• As active verbs. If possible, use a subject that can apply both to God and a human master. For example:

A master demands much from the one to whom he has given much

If it is not possible to use an ambiguous subject, it is recommended that you supply the subject “God.” You may also need to supply direct objects and say what God gives and demands. For example:

When ⌊God⌋ gives great ⌊blessings/privileges⌋ to people, he requires from them great ⌊faithfulness⌋
-or-
If God has been generous with you, he will expect you to serve him well (Contemporary English Version)

Translate these verbs in a way that is most natural in your language.

12:48e

and from him who has been entrusted with much, even more will be demanded: The conjunction and here introduces a statement that is parallel to the one in 12:48d. In some languages a conjunction may not be needed. For example:

much more is required from the person to whom much more is given (Good News Translation)

from him who has been entrusted with much, even more will be demanded: This statement has almost the same meaning as 12:48d. This repetition is called parallelism. It was considered good style for Jewish proverbs to use parallelism to emphasize something. See the General Comment on 12:48d–e at the end of 12:48e for a way to combine these two parallel statements into one statement.

has been entrusted…even more will be demanded: The Greek verbs that the Berean Standard Bible translates as has been entrusted and will be demanded are more literally “they entrust” and “they will demand/require.” Here the subject “they” is a way to include anyone who entrusts or asks something of people. It can be applied to both human masters and God. Some ways to translate these verbs are:

• Use passive verbs. For example:

the more he has had entrusted to him the more will be demanded of him (Revised English Bible)

• Use verbs with general subjects such as “anyone” or “someone”:

When ⌊someone/anyone⌋ entrusts you with a very precious thing, he will require you to be very faithful

Translate these verbs in a way that is most natural in your language.

General Comment on 12:48d–e

In some languages it may not be natural to use parallel statements that have almost the same meaning. If that is true in your language, it may be possible to combine the parallel statements into one statement. For example:

If a person is given many blessings and responsibilities, much will be expected from him.
-or-
God will certainly require much from people to whom he has entrusted much.

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