47 And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
Hownis it that some will be beaten with a few stripes while others will be beaten with many? Is hell not eternal? Will some only be there for a period of time? Are we also to assume that those who did not have a full understanding of the gospel and Christ wont be consigned to hell simply because the reject the message of Christ?
Sometimes the meaning of the Greek words can be lost in translation to English. Not all words of hell in English is referring to the afterlife. Some are referring to the valley of slaughter on earth; hence the Greek word "geena" or Gehenna. This is why Jesus is warning believers to be ready or else be excommunicated and left behind on earth when that firer calamity comes on the third of the earth that will bring about the coming great tribulation.
Luke 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. 41 Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?
Jesus is addressing all saved believers in answering Peter's question about the rewards for being a good steward.
42 And the Lord said,
Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.
Jesus is addressing saved believers still for not being good stewards in why because of iniquity, they were not ready & excommunicated by Him.
45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; 46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
Note how they were left behind for not being ready and yet He still calls them servants as they will be judged by stripes per the knowledge they had for not being ready and lesser stripes for lack of knowledge for not being ready.
47 And
that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?
Note how this fire is sent on the earth in verse 49. So this is not the afterlife, but the consequence for not being ready & left behind on earth when that fire comes on earth. Jesus warned of it in Luke 17:26-30 & Peter in 2 Peter 3:3-14 & John in Revelation 8:7-13 for why saved believers were to be ready or else be cast into the bed of the coming great tribulation Revelation 2:18-25
If you consider why the church is to excommunicate an unrepentant brother, so will God do for the marriage Supper above for when the Bridegroom comes.