Charles Ellicott Commentary Luke 12:48

"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." — Luke 12:48 (ASV)

He that knew not.—The words manifest the tenderness of a considerate equity, like that which uttered itself in our Lord’s words as to Sodom, Tyre, and Sidon, in Luke 10:12-13. A person’s knowledge is the measure of their responsibilities; and in the absence of knowledge, more or less complete, though stripes may be inflicted as the only effective discipline for teaching people what things are or are not worthy of stripes, yet they shall be “few.” The words throw a gleam of hope on the darkness that lies behind the veil. We do not know whether the “few stripes” imply limited duration, or less acute suffering—the tolerabilior damnatio of Augustine—and we do not need to know. We may well be content to leave that question to Him who spoke the words, and in so doing gave the most convincing proof that the Judge of all the earth will assuredly do right (Genesis 18:25).

Unto whomsoever much is given.—The two clauses differ slightly, though they are parallel in meaning; the first referring to “gifts” which involve what we speak of as a general moral responsibility, the second to that which has been solemnly “committed to people as a trust or deposit.” (Compare to 1 Timothy 6:20; 2 Timothy 1:12; 2 Timothy 1:14.)