Luke 1:52 - Printer Friendly

ESV: he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate;

NIV: He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.

NASB: He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble.

CSB: he has toppled the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly.

NLT: He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble.

KJV: He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.

NKJV: He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly.

In the prior verse, Mary noted that God had already proven His ability to humiliate those who were arrogant (Daniel 4:37; Proverbs 21:4). He did this, in part, through demonstrations of His great power (Psalm 89:13; 98:1). All these attributes will be further proven as the Messiah completes His work in the world (Isaiah 9:6–7). This passage (Luke 1:46–51) is Mary's song of praise, rejoicing at God's incarnation in Jesus Christ (Luke 1:31–33).

Here, more evidence is given of God's ability to correct injustice and punish sin (Obadiah 1:4; Isaiah 13:11). Mary notes these as both a praise of the Lord's completed work, and a forward-looking celebration of how the Promised One's influence will achieve final victory (Revelation 19:11–15). This includes the ability to raise up those the world rejects (Psalm 107:41; 1 Samuel 2:8).

Luke 1:39–56 contains Mary's visit with her relative, Elizabeth, and her resulting praise of God. Both women are miraculously pregnant. Despite her old age, Elizabeth is several months pregnant with a boy who will one day be known as John the Baptist (Luke 1:13). Mary, a virgin, has recently learned that God has conceived in her the Messiah, to be named Jesus (Luke 1:31). The unborn John reacts when he hears Mary's voice. Mary responds to this with extensive praise of God, calling Him her "Savior." After staying for a while—possibly until the birth of John—Mary returns home.

The angel Gabriel predicts two miraculous births. The first is a son born to Zechariah and Elizabeth: an older, childless priest and his wife. Because Zechariah initially doubts this message, he is temporarily made unable to speak. Their child will be known as John the Baptist, a powerful herald of the Messiah. The Promised One whom John will proclaim is the second birth predicted by Gabriel. He tells an engaged virgin, Mary, that God will miraculously conceive His Son in her. The two women meet and rejoice over their blessings. John's arrival sets the stage for Luke's familiar account of the birth of Jesus Christ.

Luke was a travelling companion of the apostle Paul (Acts 16:10); his book of Acts is a direct "sequel" to the gospel of Luke (Acts 1:1–3). Those two books make up more than a quarter of the New Testament. Luke begins by explaining how his orderly approach is meant to inspire confidence in Christian faith. His work is based on eyewitness interviews and other evidence. The first chapter details the miraculous conceptions of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. Chapter 2 continues with Jesus' birth.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.

Accessed 5/9/2024 4:05:03 PM