Luke 1:52
He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
Luke 1:52 in other translations
| BSB | He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble. |
|---|---|
| WEB | He has put down princes from their thrones, and has exalted the lowly. |
| ASV | He hath put down princes from their thrones, And hath exalted them of low degree. |
| YLT | He brought down the mighty from thrones, And He exalted the lowly, |
| DARBY | He has put down rulers from thrones, and exalted the lowly. |
| BBE | He has put down kings from their seats, lifting up on high the men of low degree. |
| Webster | He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. |
What does Luke 1:52 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Luke 1:46-55
46-55. 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…
Barnes' Notes
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, and of course to her ancestors. It was natural to allude to that great event in their history when Saul was overcome in battle, and when David was taken from the sheepfold and placed on the throne. The origin of illustrious families is often obscure. Men are often raised by industry, talent, and the favour of God, from very humble stations --from the farm or mechanic's shop-- to places of great trust in the church and state. They who are thus elevated, if imbued with right feelings, will not despise their former employments nor their former companions, nor will they esteem their parents or friends the less because they still remain in the same rank in life. No conduct is more odious and unchristian than to be ashamed of our birth or the humble circumstances of our friends.
(b) Job 5:11, Lk 18:14
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Luke 1:39-56
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…
Luke 1:52 in the original Greek
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Cross references for Luke 1:52
- Ezekiel 17:24
And all the trees of the field shall know that I the Lord have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I the Lord have spoken and have done it.
- James 4:10
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
- Psalms 107:40-41
He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way. Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock.
- Luke 18:14
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
- 1 Samuel 2:6-8
The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and he hath set the world upon them.
- Psalms 113:6-8
Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth! He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.
- Ecclesiastes 4:14
For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.
- 1 Samuel 2:4
The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.
- Job 5:11-13
To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety. He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise. He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong.
- James 1:9-10
Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
- Job 34:24-28
He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead. Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed. He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others; Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways: …
- Amos 9:11
In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old:
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Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- Luke 1:51
He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
- Luke 1:52
He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
- Luke 1:53
He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
Luke 1:52 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Quitó los poderosos de los tronos, y levantó á los humildes. |
|---|---|
| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | il a fait descendre les puissants de leurs trônes, et il a élevé les petits; |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Er hat Mächtige von Thronen hinabgestoßen, und Niedrige erhöht. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Deposuit potentes de sede, et exaltavit humiles. |