12:46a–c

This verse tells what will happen to a servant who does what Jesus described in 12:45. In some languages it may be helpful to introduce this verse with a connecting word or phrase. For example:

then (NET Bible)
-or-
If that happens (Contemporary English Version)

The master of that servant will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not anticipate: The two phrases on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not anticipate both mean “at a time when the servant is not expecting his master to return.” The master returns earlier than the servant expected. If your language has parallel structures like this, it may be appropriate to use two different phrases here. But if it does not, it may be better to combine both clauses into one expression. For example:

on a day and at a time when he is not expecting him at all

12:46d

Then he will cut him to pieces: There are three ways to interpret the clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Then he will cut him to pieces:

(1) It is a figure of speech that refers to severe punishment. For example:

his master will punish him severely (God’s Word)

(Revised Standard Version, God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

(2) It is a punishment that involved literally cutting a person into two or more pieces with a sword or saw. For example:

and will cut him in two (NET Bible)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, New Living Translation (2004), Good News Translation, New Century Version, NET Bible)

(3) It is an idiom that meant he would be “cut off” or banished. For example:

will cut him off (New Jerusalem Bible)

(New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) because its meaning would include the other two interpretations. It also seems unlikely that Jesus was referring to literally cutting a person into pieces. It was certainly not a punishment that Jewish masters used on their servants. Since many versions follow the literal wording, it is suggested that you put interpretation (2) in a footnote. A suggested footnote is:

In Greek it says “cut him in two.” Many scholars think that this is a figurative expression that refers to severe punishment.

12:46e

and: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and here introduces a further explanation of 12:46d. By punishing the servant severely, the master would cause him to share the same fate as other unfaithful people. Other ways to express this connection are:

punish him severely and in this way he will share the fate of others who cannot be trusted
-or-
give him an extreme punishment so his situation/fate will be like other servants who were unfaithful

assign him a place with the unbelievers: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as assign him a place with is more literally “put his share with.” In this context it probably means “make him share the fate of.” Another way to translate this is:

make him share the fate of the disobedient (Good News Translation)

unbelievers: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as unbelievers is literally “faithless.” There are two main ways to interpret this word:

(1) It means unfaithful. These people are disobedient servants whom the master cannot trust. For example:

unfaithful people (God’s Word)
-or-
servants who cannot be trusted (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
others who don’t obey (New Century Version)

(New Living Translation (2004), Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, God’s Word, NET Bible, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version, New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) It means these people are unbelievers. They do not believe in God. For example:

the unbelievers (New American Standard Bible)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, New American Standard Bible, King James Version)

The Revised English Bible has “faithless,” which can be understood either way. If you must choose between the meanings, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), as do the majority of English versions. This fits the context of the parable better. See believe, Meaning 4, in the Glossary.

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