Luke 1:51
He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
Original Language Analysis
Ἐποίησεν
He hath shewed
G4160
Ἐποίησεν
He hath shewed
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
1 of 10
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
αὐτῶν·
of their
G846
αὐτῶν·
of their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 10
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
διεσκόρπισεν
he hath scattered
G1287
διεσκόρπισεν
he hath scattered
Strong's:
G1287
Word #:
6 of 10
to dissipate, i.e., (genitive case) to rout or separate; specially, to winnow; figuratively, to squander
ὑπερηφάνους
the proud
G5244
ὑπερηφάνους
the proud
Strong's:
G5244
Word #:
7 of 10
appearing above others (conspicuous), i.e., (figuratively) haughty
διανοίᾳ
in the imagination
G1271
διανοίᾳ
in the imagination
Strong's:
G1271
Word #:
8 of 10
deep thought, properly, the faculty (mind or its disposition), by implication, its exercise
Cross References
Psalms 98:1O 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.Isaiah 51:9Awake, 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?Isaiah 52:10The 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.Romans 1:21Because 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.Daniel 4:37Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.Isaiah 63:12That led them by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting name?Isaiah 40:10Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.Psalms 89:10Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm.Psalms 118:15The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.Genesis 6:5And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Historical Context
Mary's words would prove prophetic regarding Jewish leaders who rejected Jesus and Rome's eventual downfall. Her emphasis on God scattering the proud recalls God's judgment on Pharaoh, Babylon, and all who exalt themselves against the Almighty.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's pattern of scattering the proud encourage humble trust?
- What is the relationship between internal pride and external opposition to God?
- How should this truth shape our estimation of worldly power?
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Analysis & Commentary
Mary prophetically declares God's pattern of exercising power ('strength with his arm') to scatter the proud. The aorist tense describes typical divine action throughout history. God's 'arm' symbolizes His powerful intervention in human affairs (Ps 89:10; Isa 51:9). The word 'scattered' (Greek 'dieskorpisen') indicates complete dispersal and defeat. The 'proud in the imagination of their hearts' describes those whose arrogance is rooted in internal thinking, not just external acts. This verse articulates the biblical principle that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). Mary's Magnificat prophetically applies to Herod, Jewish leaders, and all who oppose God's purposes.