Luke 2:19 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.

NIV: But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

NASB: But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.

CSB: But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them.

NLT: but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.

KJV: But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

NKJV: But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.

When Mary was first approached by an angelic messenger, she responded with humility and submission to God (Luke 1:38). The angel told her how her Son would be the Messiah—including the great titles and accomplishments He would experience (Luke 1:30–33). After travelling to Bethlehem and giving birth, Mary is now surrounded by local shepherds and likely some other group of bystanders (Luke 2:1–18).

Here, as before, Mary reacts thoughtfully. We're not told exactly what she is thinking. She doesn't take the moment for granted, at least: she appreciates the importance of these events. As the shepherds explain their angelic encounter, she "treasures" and "ponders" what is happening. These ideas are expressed using the Greek root words suntereo and sumballo. The first implies protection and remembrance. The second implies preserving and observing. Mary makes a deliberate effort to remember all that she sees.

Luke 2:8–21 describes shepherds who are visited by numerous angels. These beings proclaim the birth of Christ and explain where He can be found. The men follow the angels' directions and find Jesus, Joseph, and Mary just as predicted. Jesus' family celebrates these events, as God continues to use simple people to proclaim His most important truths. When Jesus is eight days old, in accordance with Jewish tradition, he is circumcised and officially given His prophesied name.

The early part of this chapter is famously read at Christmas, while celebrating the birth of Jesus. Luke gives a relatively brief description of how Mary came to give birth in a stable, laying Jesus in a feeding trough. Nearby shepherds are informed of the news by multiple angels. Two people speak in praise of God at Jesus' circumcision. Years later, Joseph and Mary lose track of Jesus on the way back from Jerusalem, only to find Him astounding teachers in the temple with His wisdom.

Luke began his well-organized account by explaining the conceptions of Jesus Christ and John the Baptist, in chapter 1. In chapter 2, he briefly summarizes Jesus' birth and the arrival of shepherds directed by angels. Prophecies and prayers celebrate His dedication at the temple. After briefly losing track of a twelve-year-old Jesus in the temple, Jesus' parents take Him home to Nazareth. There, He grows up relatively normally. Chapter 3 leaps forward many years to the beginning of John the Baptist's preaching. This is followed by Jesus' genealogy. Chapter 4 relates Jesus' temptations by Satan and the start of His public ministry.

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 5/5/2024 4:03:37 PM