Luke 1:51

51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

Luke 1:51 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
English Standard Version (ESV)
51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
New Living Translation (NLT)
51 His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.
The Message Bible (MSG)
51 He bared his arm and showed his strength, scattered the bluffing braggarts.
American Standard Version (ASV)
51 He hath showed strength with his arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their heart.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
51 "He displayed his mighty power. He scattered those who think too highly of themselves.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
51 He has done a mighty deed with His arm; He has scattered the proud because of the thoughts of their hearts;
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
51 He has done mighty things with his arm. He has scattered those who are proud in their deepest thoughts.

Luke 1:51 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 1:51

He hath showed strength with his arm
Of almighty power, in the business of the incarnation, and in working out salvation for his people; which is done by his own arm, he being mighty to save, and travelling in the greatness of his strength; see ( Isaiah 63:1 Isaiah 63:5 ) .

He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts;
whom he always resists, and both in providence and grace, takes such methods, as tend to humble and confound them: here particularly, it may regard the proud and haughty Jews; who imagined nothing less, than that the Messiah would be born of one of the rich and noble families in Judea; that he would appear as a temporal prince, and set up a temporal kingdom in great state and splendour, and make them a free and flourishing people: when instead of this, he was to be born of a poor virgin, of whom they disdainfully say, is not his mother called Mary? who was of Nazareth in Galilee, of which it is said, shall Christ come out of Galilee? or any good thing out of Nazareth? A virgin betrothed to a carpenter, and her son of that business also, with which both were flouted; and because of this meanness, the Messiah was rejected by them; and thus were they scattered and confounded in their imaginations.

Luke 1:51 In-Context

49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Psalms 98:1; Isaiah 40:10
  • 2. Genesis 11:8; Exodus 18:11; 2 Samuel 22:28; Jeremiah 13:9; Jeremiah 49:16
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