New Testament
Luke 1:51
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
He has shown the strength of his arm. He has scattered those who are proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
Compare translations
He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
What Luke 1:51 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Mary praises God for His power and justice. The phrase "strength of his arm" symbolizes God's might and ability to act decisively. By scattering the proud, God demonstrates that He opposes those who are arrogant and self-reliant. This scattering refers to God's judgment against those who think too highly of themselves and their own wisdom. The proud are often those who trust in their own understanding rather than in God. This verse highlights a key theme in the Bible: God lifts up the humble and brings down the proud. It serves as a reminder that true strength comes from God, and that humility is valued in His eyes. Mary’s song reflects her understanding of God’s character and His actions throughout history, showing that He is actively involved in the world, working against pride and injustice.
How to apply Luke 1:51 to your life
This verse encourages us to examine our own hearts for pride and arrogance. We should strive to remain humble and recognize our dependence on God. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's values and invite His strength into our lives, allowing us to serve others with grace and compassion.
Curated for this public verse page. Luke Summary
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Mary, Jesus' mother's story: Mary's Song of Praise (Luke 1:46–56)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Mary, Jesus' mother
Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002724966). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Bethlehem, West Bank; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Bethlehem
David's hometown, and the town where Jesus was born.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Luke 1:51
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Luke 1:51
Related Bible verses
Key themes
At a Glance — the Book of Luke
- Author
- Luke the physician
- Written
- Around AD 60-62
- Genre
- Gospel and history
- Original Audience
- Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Luke 1:51 mean?
Luke 1:51 expresses Mary's praise for God's power and justice, highlighting that He opposes the proud and arrogant. It emphasizes that God actively works against those who rely on their own strength and wisdom.
What is the meaning of 'strength of his arm' in Luke 1:51?
The phrase 'strength of his arm' in Luke 1:51 symbolizes God's might and ability to act decisively in the world. It signifies His power to bring about justice and to support the humble while opposing the proud.
How does Luke 1:51 relate to humility?
Luke 1:51 highlights the importance of humility by showing that God scatters the proud. It serves as a reminder that recognizing our dependence on God aligns us with His values and invites His strength into our lives.
What themes are present in Luke 1:51?
Key themes in Luke 1:51 include God's strength, the contrast between pride and humility, divine justice, and God's active role in the world. It also reflects Mary's understanding of God's character and His historical actions.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.