God’s Word Translation
Luke 1:52
52He pulled strong rulers from their thrones. He honored humble people.
Luke 1:52 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
- New International Version (NIV)He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
- English Standard Version (ESV)he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate;
- New King James Version (NKJV)He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly.
Context of Luke 1:52
50For those who fear him, his mercy lasts throughout every generation. 51“He displayed his mighty power. He scattered those who think too highly of themselves. He pulled strong rulers from their thrones. He honored humble people. 53He fed hungry people with good food. He sent rich people away with nothing. 54“He remembered to help his servant Israel forever.
Read all of Luke 1Luke 1:52 word by word
καθεῖλεν δυνάστας ἀπὸ θρόνων καὶ ὕψωσεν ταπεινούς·Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Luke 1:52
- Luke 18:14“I can guarantee that this tax collector went home with God’s approval, but the Pharisee didn’t. Everyone who honors himself will be humbled, but the person who humbles himself will be honored.”
- 1 Samuel 2:4“The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumble are armed with strength.
- Job 5:11He places lowly people up high. He lifts those who mourn to safety.
- Job 34:24He breaks mighty people into pieces without examining them and puts others in their places.
- Psalms 107:40He poured contempt on their influential people and made them stumble around in a pathless desert.
- Psalms 113:6He bends down to look at heaven and earth.
- Ecclesiastes 4:14A young man came out of prison to rule as king, even though he had been born in poverty in that same kingdom.
- Ezekiel 17:24Then all the trees in the field will know that I am the Lord. I cut down tall trees, and I make small trees grow tall. I dry up green trees, and I make dry trees grow. I, the Lord, have spoken, and I will do it.’ ”
- Amos 9:11On that day I will set up David’s fallen tent. I will repair the holes in it. I will restore its ruined places. I will rebuild them as they were a long time ago.
- Mark 6:3Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” So they took offense at him.
- James 1:9Humble believers should be proud because being humble makes them important.
- James 4:10Humble yourselves in the Lord’s presence. Then he will give you a high position.
Commentaries on Luke 1:52
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 52He hath put down the mighty from their seats - Or, He hath taken down potentates from their thrones. This probably alludes to the removal of Saul from the throne of Israel, and the establishment of the kingdom in the person and family of David. And as Mary spoke prophetically, this saying may also allude to the destruction of the kingdom of Satan and his allies, and the final prevalence of the kingdom of Christ.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 52Hath put down the mighty - The “mighty” here denotes princes, kings, or conquerors. See Isaiah 14:12-14. Their seats - Their “thrones,” or the places where they sat in pomp and power. Exalted them - Raised them up, or placed them in the seats of those who had been removed. Low degree - Low or humble birth and condition in life. This probably has reference to the case of her ancestor David. Mary was celebrating the mercies of God to herself, to her family…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 39-56Verses 39-56 It is very good for those who have the work of grace begun in their souls, to communicate one to another. On Mary's arrival, Elisabeth was conscious of the approach of her who was to be the mother of the great Redeemer. At the same time she was filled with the Holy Ghost, and under his influence declared that Mary and her expected child were most blessed and happy, as peculiarly honoured of and dear to the Most High God. Mary, animated by…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 46-55Mary’s song is the first of three songs of praise in the birth story of Jesus. It is called the Magnificat (Latin for “magnifies”). The song has many similarities to Hannah’s prayer in 1 Samuel 2:1–10. The fact that God cares for the oppressed and reverses their fortunes is a common theme throughout Luke’s Gospel. The coming of God’s kingdom brings salvation to rejected and outcast people.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 46-5546-55. A magnificent canticle, in which the strain of Hannah's ancient song, in like circumstances, is caught up, and just slightly modified and sublimed. Is it unnatural to suppose that the spirit of the blessed Virgin had been drawn beforehand into mysterious sympathy with the ideas and the tone of this hymn, so that when the life and fire of inspiration penetrated her whole soul it spontaneously swept the chorus of this song, enriching the Hymnal of…Read the comment
Topics related to Luke 1:52
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Luke 1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Catena Aurea
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- John Lightfoot Commentary
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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