Luke 1:51

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

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}.

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

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

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

Luke 1:51 is a powerful declaration from Mary's song of praise, often called the Magnificat, expressing profound theological truths about God's character and His interaction with humanity. This verse encapsulates God's divine power and His justice, particularly His stance against human pride.

Context of Luke 1:51

This verse is part of Mary's spontaneous song of worship (Luke 1:46-55), uttered after her cousin Elizabeth confirms the miraculous nature of her pregnancy with Jesus. Mary's Magnificat echoes many themes from the Old Testament, most notably Hannah's prayer in 1 Samuel 2, reflecting a deep understanding of God's covenant faithfulness and His consistent pattern of exalting the humble and bringing down the arrogant. It highlights God's active role in salvation history through the coming Messiah.

Key Themes and Messages

  • God's Demonstrative Power: "He hath shewed strength with his arm." This phrase vividly portrays God's active and undeniable power at work in the world. The "arm" is a common biblical metaphor for divine might and intervention, signifying His ability to execute His will decisively. This strength is not hidden but "shewed," made evident in His dealings with humanity.
  • Divine Opposition to Pride: "he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts." God actively opposes those who are arrogant, self-sufficient, and haughty. Their pride originates not just in outward actions but "in the imagination of their hearts"—their innermost thoughts, intentions, and self-conceptions. God's judgment targets the very source of their spiritual arrogance, dismantling their self-exalting schemes. This theme is consistent throughout Scripture, where God declares His opposition to the proud (James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5).
  • God's Justice and Reversal: Mary's song anticipates a divine reversal of fortunes, where the powerful are brought low and the humble are lifted up. This verse emphasizes God's commitment to justice, ensuring that those who elevate themselves are ultimately scattered and humbled by His sovereign hand.

Linguistic Insights

  • The phrase "his arm" (Greek: brachion) is a powerful anthropomorphism, emphasizing God's active and mighty intervention. It suggests a strong, outstretched arm, indicative of overcoming obstacles and delivering His people, much like His deliverance of Israel from Egypt with "a strong hand and an outstretched arm" (Exodus 6:6).
  • "Imagination of their hearts" (Greek: dianoia kardias) refers to the deep-seated thoughts, intentions, and inner reasoning. It signifies that God's scattering of the proud is not merely a judgment on their external actions but on the very core of their being and the self-aggrandizing attitudes they harbor internally.

Practical Application

Luke 1:51 serves as a timeless reminder of God's character and a call to humility. For believers today, it encourages us to cultivate a humble spirit, recognizing that all strength and blessing come from God. It warns against the dangers of pride, which can blind us to our dependence on God and lead to spiritual downfall. Understanding God's stance against pride should inspire us to seek genuine humility, knowing that God extends grace to the humble and actively works against the self-exalted. This verse assures us that God is actively involved in the world, bringing justice and fulfilling His redemptive plan.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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