Luke 1:51

KJV

He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

KJV (with Strong's)

He hath shewed {G4160} strength {G2904} with {G1722} his {G846} arm {G1023}; he hath scattered {G1287} the proud {G5244} in the imagination {G1271} of their {G846} hearts {G2588}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"He has performed mighty deeds with his arm, routed the secretly proud,

Berean Standard Bible

He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

American Standard Version

He hath showed strength with his arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their heart.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 1:51, a pivotal declaration within Mary's Magnificat, powerfully articulates God's active and unwavering character, revealing His divine power and righteous judgment. It proclaims that God, through His mighty "arm," demonstrates His strength by decisively scattering and humbling those who are proud, whose arrogance originates in the deepest recesses of their hearts and minds. This verse encapsulates a foundational biblical truth: God consistently opposes the haughty and self-exalting, bringing about a divine reversal that exalts the humble and brings down the arrogant.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of Mary's profound song of praise, known as the Magnificat, recorded in [Luke 1:46-55](/luke/1-46-55 "Luke 1:46-55 - Mary's Magnificat"). Uttered after her cousin Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, affirms Mary's blessedness and the miraculous nature of her pregnancy with Jesus ([Luke 1:41-45](/luke/1-41-45 "Luke 1:41-45 - Elizabeth's Prophecy")), Mary's song is a spontaneous outpouring of theological insight and prophetic anticipation. It echoes the themes and even specific phrases from Old Testament hymns, most notably [Hannah's prayer in 1 Samuel 2:1-10](/1-samuel/2-1-10 "1 Samuel 2:1-10 - Hannah's Prayer"), demonstrating Mary's deep immersion in the Scriptures and her understanding of God's consistent redemptive pattern throughout history. The Magnificat serves as a programmatic statement for Luke's Gospel, setting the stage for the radical nature of God's kingdom, which Jesus will inaugurate.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Mary, a young Jewish woman living under Roman occupation in first-century Judea, would have been acutely aware of the social and political hierarchies of her time. The "proud" could be understood on multiple levels: the Roman oppressors, the arrogant religious elite, or any individual or group that elevated themselves against God's will. Jewish messianic expectations were high, often envisioning a political deliverer who would overthrow foreign rule and re-establish Israel's sovereignty. Mary's song, however, transcends mere political liberation, pointing to a spiritual and cosmic reversal initiated by God Himself. It reflects the deeply ingrained Jewish understanding of God as the one who intervenes in history, delivering the oppressed and judging the wicked, a theme prevalent in the Psalms and prophetic literature.

* **Key Themes:** Luke 1:51 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Magnificat and the broader Gospel of Luke. Firstly, it highlights **God's Demonstrative Power** and sovereignty, emphasizing His active intervention in human affairs, not merely as a passive observer but as one who "shewed strength with his arm." Secondly, it underscores **Divine Justice and Reversal**, a recurring motif in Luke, where the humble are exalted and the proud are brought low. This theme is seen throughout Jesus' ministry, particularly in His teachings on humility and service, and His interactions with the marginalized versus the self-righteous (e.g., [Luke 14:11](/luke/14-11 "Luke 14:11 - Humility Exalted") and [Luke 18:9-14](/luke/18-9-14 "Luke 18:9-14 - Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector")). Finally, the verse speaks to the **Nature of Human Pride**, identifying its origin not just in outward actions but "in the imagination of their hearts," revealing God's judgment targets the internal disposition and self-conception that fuel arrogance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **arm (Greek, _brachíōn'_):** Properly referring to the physical arm, this term is used figuratively here to denote strength and power. In biblical contexts, God's "arm" or "outstretched arm" is a powerful anthropomorphism signifying His mighty, active, and decisive intervention, often in acts of deliverance or judgment. It conveys the idea of God's personal and direct involvement in history.
* **scattered (Greek, _diaskorpízō'_):** This verb means to dissipate, rout, or separate. It can also imply to winnow or squander. Here, it vividly describes God's action against the proud, suggesting a forceful dispersion, breaking apart their unity, plans, and influence, much like chaff is scattered by the wind. It implies a complete and effective dismantling of their self-exalting efforts.
* **proud (Greek, _hyperḗphanos'_):** Derived from words meaning "above" and "to appear," this adjective describes someone who appears above others, hence, haughty or arrogant. It characterizes those who are lifted up in their own estimation, self-sufficient, and often disdainful of God or others. This term consistently carries a negative connotation in Scripture, denoting an attitude that God opposes.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He hath shewed strength with his arm":** This opening clause immediately establishes God as the active agent, demonstrating His inherent power. The phrase "his arm" is a classic biblical anthropomorphism, depicting God's strength not as an abstract concept but as a tangible, forceful intervention. It evokes images of God's mighty acts in salvation history, such as the deliverance of Israel from Egypt with a "strong hand and an outstretched arm" ([Exodus 6:6](/exodus/6-6 "Exodus 6:6 - God's Deliverance of Israel")). Mary proclaims that this same divine power is now being manifested in the unfolding events of the Messiah's coming.
* **"he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts":** This second clause reveals the specific target and manner of God's powerful action. God "scatters" the proud, meaning He disperses, defeats, and brings low those who are arrogant and self-exalting. The phrase "in the imagination of their hearts" is crucial, indicating that God's judgment is not merely against external actions but against the very source of pride: the deep-seated thoughts, intentions, and self-conceptions (Greek: _diánoia kardías_) that originate within the human heart. It highlights that God's opposition to pride is comprehensive, addressing its root cause in the inner being.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 1:51 is rich with literary devices that enhance its theological impact. The most prominent is **Anthropomorphism**, seen in the phrase "his arm," which attributes a human body part to God to describe His active and mighty power. This makes God's intervention relatable and vivid, emphasizing His personal and direct involvement in human affairs. The verse also employs **Parallelism**, specifically **Antithetical Parallelism**, by implicitly contrasting God's strength with human pride and by setting up a dynamic where God's action against the proud results in their scattering. While not explicitly stated, the broader context of the Magnificat ([Luke 1:52-53](/luke/1-52-53 "Luke 1:52-53 - God's Reversal")) reinforces this by contrasting the bringing down of the mighty with the exalting of the humble, and the filling of the hungry with the sending away of the rich. Furthermore, the phrase "imagination of their hearts" uses **Metonymy**, where "imagination" (the product of thought) stands for the entire mindset or disposition, and "hearts" represents the core of one's being, their innermost thoughts and intentions. This emphasizes that God's judgment penetrates beyond outward appearance to the very wellspring of human arrogance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 1:51 encapsulates a profound and consistent theological truth woven throughout the entirety of Scripture: God's unwavering opposition to human pride and His commitment to exalting the humble. This verse is not merely a statement about past or future events but a declaration of God's enduring character and modus operandi. It reveals a God who is actively engaged in history, orchestrating divine reversals where human self-sufficiency and arrogance are dismantled, and true humility is honored. This divine principle underscores the necessity of a right relationship with God, one built on dependence and submission rather than self-exaltation. Mary's song, therefore, serves as a prophetic announcement of the radical reordering of societal and spiritual values that the Messiah's coming would bring.

* [1 Samuel 2:3](/1-samuel/2-3 "1 Samuel 2:3 - Hannah's Warning Against Pride"): "Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed."
* [James 4:6](/james/4-6 "James 4:6 - God Resists the Proud"): "But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble."
* [1 Peter 5:5](/1-peter/5-5 "1 Peter 5:5 - Humility and Grace"): "Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 1:51 serves as a timeless mirror, inviting us to examine the state of our own hearts and minds. In a world that often celebrates self-promotion, ambition, and outward success, this verse reminds us that true strength and lasting honor come from God alone. It challenges us to confront any seeds of pride—whether intellectual, spiritual, or material—that may reside "in the imagination of our hearts." Recognizing that God actively opposes the proud should cultivate in us a deep sense of humility and dependence on Him. This humility is not self-abasement but a realistic assessment of our place before a sovereign God, acknowledging that all good gifts and abilities flow from His gracious hand. Embracing this truth leads to freedom from the burden of self-reliance and opens us to receive God's abundant grace, which is reserved for the humble.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might pride subtly manifest "in the imagination of my heart"?**
* **How does understanding God's opposition to pride influence my prayers and my pursuit of spiritual growth?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a more humble spirit in my daily interactions and decisions?**

### FAQ

**What is the "imagination of their hearts" and why is it significant?**

Answer: The "imagination of their hearts" (Greek: _diánoia kardías_) refers to the innermost thoughts, intentions, reasoning, and self-conceptions that originate deep within a person's being. It's not just about outward actions of pride, but the internal disposition, the self-exalting schemes, and the arrogant mindsets that individuals harbor. Its significance lies in the fact that God's judgment penetrates beyond superficial behavior, targeting the very root of pride within the human spirit. This highlights that God's opposition to pride is comprehensive, addressing the source of arrogance rather than just its symptoms. This internal focus aligns with other biblical teachings that emphasize the heart as the wellspring of life ([Proverbs 4:23](/proverbs/4-23 "Proverbs 4:23 - Keep Your Heart")).

**How does God "scatter" the proud? Does this always involve visible, immediate judgment?**

Answer: God "scatters" the proud in various ways, not always through immediate, visible judgment. While sometimes it can involve direct divine intervention leading to their downfall (e.g., the Tower of Babel in [Genesis 11:1-9](/genesis/11-1-9 "Genesis 11:1-9 - The Tower of Babel")), more often it involves a gradual dismantling of their self-made plans, a frustration of their efforts, or a loss of influence and respect. God may allow the natural consequences of pride to unfold, leading to isolation, failure, or a loss of favor. Ultimately, God's scattering of the proud ensures that no human endeavor built on arrogance can ultimately succeed against His sovereign will, as seen in the broader narrative of Scripture where God consistently brings down the mighty and exalts the humble ([Luke 1:52](/luke/1-52 "Luke 1:52 - God's Reversal")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mary's prophetic declaration in [Luke 1:51](/luke/1-51 "Luke 1:51 - God Scatters the Proud") finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the embodiment of God's "strength with his arm," not in a display of worldly power, but in the divine might revealed through humility, self-sacrifice, and resurrection. Jesus, the Son of God, emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humility")), demonstrating that true divine strength is expressed through love and obedience, even to death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience")). His life and ministry perfectly illustrate God's scattering of the proud: He consistently challenged the self-righteousness of the religious elite ([Matthew 23:1-36](/matthew/23-1-36 "Matthew 23:1-36 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees")), exposed the emptiness of worldly ambition, and invited all, especially the humble and marginalized, into His Kingdom ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")). Through His triumph over sin and death, Jesus definitively scattered the proud powers of darkness and human rebellion, establishing a new order where humility leads to exaltation and God's grace reigns supreme ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities")). Thus, Mary's song anticipates the very heart of the Gospel: God's powerful act of salvation accomplished through the humble Messiah, who brings down the proud and lifts up the lowly.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 98:1

¶ A Psalm. O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.

1 Samuel 2:3

Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let [not] arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD [is] a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

1 Samuel 2:4

The bows of the mighty men [are] broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.

Isaiah 52:10

The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

Isaiah 51:9

¶ Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. [Art] thou not it that hath cut Rahab, [and] wounded the dragon?

Romans 1:21

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Exodus 15:6

Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.