Luke 1:52
Luke 1:52 in Multiple Translations
He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble.
He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
He hath put down princes from their thrones, And hath exalted them of low degree.
He has put down kings from their seats, lifting up on high the men of low degree.
He tears the powerful down from their thrones, and elevates those who are humble.
Hee hath put downe the mighty from their seates, and exalted them of lowe degree.
He brought down the mighty from thrones, And He exalted the lowly,
He has put down princes from their thrones, and has exalted the lowly.
He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble.
He does not let mighty kings rule [MTY] any more, but he honors people who are oppressed (OR, humble).
He chucks out the big bosses and takes their power away. But he gets people that are not important, and he makes them bosses.
Berean Amplified Bible — Luke 1:52
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Luke 1:52 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Greek Word Reference — Luke 1:52
Study Notes — Luke 1:52
- Context
- Cross References
- Luke 1:52 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Luke 1:52
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Luke 1:52
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Luke 1:52
- Trapp's Commentary on Luke 1:52
- Ellicott's Commentary on Luke 1:52
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Luke 1:52
- Cambridge Bible on Luke 1:52
- Barnes' Notes on Luke 1:52
- Whedon's Commentary on Luke 1:52
- Sermons on Luke 1:52
Context — Mary’s Song
52He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble.
53He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty. 54He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel 17:24 | Then all the trees of the field will know that I am the LORD. I bring the tall tree down and make the low tree tall. I dry up the green tree and make the withered tree flourish. I, the LORD, have spoken, and I have done it.’” |
| 2 | James 4:10 | Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you. |
| 3 | Psalms 107:40–41 | He pours out contempt on the nobles and makes them wander in a trackless wasteland. But He lifts the needy from affliction and increases their families like flocks. |
| 4 | 1 Samuel 2:6–8 | The LORD brings death and gives life; He brings down to Sheol and raises up. The LORD sends poverty and wealth; He humbles and He exalts. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap. He seats them among princes and bestows on them a throne of honor. For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s, and upon them He has set the world. |
| 5 | Luke 18:14 | I tell you, this man, rather than the Pharisee, went home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” |
| 6 | Ecclesiastes 4:14 | For the youth has come from the prison to the kingship, though he was born poor in his own kingdom. |
| 7 | Psalms 113:6–8 | He humbles Himself to behold the heavens and the earth. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the dump to seat them with nobles, with the princes of His people. |
| 8 | Job 5:11–13 | He sets the lowly on high, so that mourners are lifted to safety. He thwarts the schemes of the crafty, so that their hands find no success. He catches the wise in their craftiness, and sweeps away the plans of the cunning. |
| 9 | 1 Samuel 2:4 | The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble are equipped with strength. |
| 10 | James 1:9–10 | The brother in humble circumstances should exult in his high position. But the one who is rich should exult in his low position, because he will pass away like a flower of the field. |
Luke 1:52 Summary
This verse means that God is all-powerful and can remove anyone from a position of authority if they become too proud or corrupt. On the other hand, God loves to lift up and honor those who are humble and recognize their need for Him, as seen in Matthew 23:12 and 1 Peter 5:6. This is a reminder that true greatness comes from humility and a willingness to submit to God's will, rather than trying to exert our own power or control. By trusting in God's sovereignty, we can experience His exaltation and blessing in our lives, as promised in Psalm 138:8.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for God to bring down rulers from their thrones?
This refers to God's power to remove those in positions of authority who have become proud or corrupt, as seen in Daniel 4:17 and Matthew 23:12, where God opposes the proud and exalts the humble.
Who are the humble that God exalts?
The humble are those who recognize their dependence on God and submit to His will, like the tax collector in Luke 18:13-14, who humbled himself before God and was justified.
Is this verse only talking about earthly rulers or can it apply to other areas of life?
While the verse specifically mentions rulers, the principle of God bringing down the proud and exalting the humble can apply to any area of life, as seen in James 4:10, where we are called to humble ourselves before God.
How can I practically apply this verse to my life?
To apply this verse, focus on cultivating humility by recognizing your limitations and dependence on God, and trust in His sovereignty, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6, where we are called to trust in the Lord with all our heart.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I may be trying to rule or control, rather than submitting to God's sovereignty?
- How can I humble myself before God, like the tax collector in Luke 18:13-14, and what would be the benefits of doing so?
- What are some ways I have seen God bring down the proud and exalt the humble in my life or in the lives of others?
- In what ways can I trust in God's power and sovereignty, rather than relying on my own strength or abilities, as encouraged in Psalm 37:3-7?
Gill's Exposition on Luke 1:52
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Luke 1:52
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Luke 1:52
Trapp's Commentary on Luke 1:52
Ellicott's Commentary on Luke 1:52
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Luke 1:52
Cambridge Bible on Luke 1:52
Barnes' Notes on Luke 1:52
Whedon's Commentary on Luke 1:52
Sermons on Luke 1:52
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Through the Bible) Luke 1 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the purpose of Jesus' coming, which is to seek and save the lost. The concept of redemption is highlighted, with the speaker noting that God |
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K-023 the Mystery of the German and the Jew by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the importance of discipleship and the need for believers to watch and pray during times of trial. He acknowledges the controversy surroundi |
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John's Baptism of Repentance by Harry Ironside | Harry Ironside emphasizes the critical role of repentance in the ministry of John the Baptist, who called a self-righteous nation to prepare their hearts for the coming Messiah. Jo |
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Christians in Politics? by David Servant | David Servant delves into the moral issues of Christian involvement in politics and government, emphasizing the importance of understanding the role of human government as a second |
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The Strength of Humility by A.W. Tozer | A.W. Tozer emphasizes the paradox of humility in the kingdom of heaven, where the weak are made strong and the proud often find themselves ineffective. He points out that human sta |
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The Trees of the Field, and Their Appointed Destiny by J.C. Philpot | J.C. Philpot preaches on the transformative work of the Lord in different characters represented by trees: the high tree symbolizing presumptuous professors, the low tree represent |
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Reading From the Beatitudes by D.L. Moody | D.L. Moody emphasizes the profound blessings found in the Beatitudes, particularly focusing on the comfort promised to those who mourn and the meek. He explains that mourning signi |







