Bible Strands
Luke 1:51
He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — This declaration appears in Luke 1 between verses describing God’s enduring mercy and His reversal of worldly power, delivered as part of a prophetic song of praise.
The words — ἐποίησεν (epoiēsen) records God as having done mighty acts, while διεσκόρπισεν (dieskorpisen) describes His action of scattering the ὑπερήφανους (huperēphanous), the proud, specifically those whose διανοίᾳ (dianoia), thoughts, fuel their arrogance.
The thread — The imagery of God acting through His βραχίονι (brachioni), arm, connects directly to Psalm 98:1 and Isaiah 52:10, where His holy arm displays salvation and victory, while the warning against pride echoes the tone of 1 Samuel 2:3.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that divine power actively dismantles human arrogance rooted in self-reliance, requiring the reader to submit to God’s authority rather than trust in their own understanding.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
Cross-references
- Psalms 98:1 A Psalm. Sing to the LORD a new song, for He has done wonders; His right hand and holy arm have gained Him the victory.
- Isaiah 52:10 The LORD has bared His holy arm in the sight of all the nations; all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.
- 1 Samuel 2:3 Do not boast so proudly, or let arrogance come from your mouth, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by Him actions are weighed.
- Isaiah 51:9 Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD. Wake up as in days past, as in generations of old. Was it not You who cut Rahab to pieces, who pierced through the dragon?
- Romans 1:21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts.
- Exodus 15:6 Your right hand, O LORD, is majestic in power; Your right hand, O LORD, has shattered the enemy.
- Daniel 4:37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, for all His works are true and all His ways are just. And He is able to humble those who walk in pride.
- Exodus 18:11 Now I know that the LORD is greater than all other gods, for He did this when they treated Israel with arrogance.”
- 1 Samuel 2:9 He guards the steps of His faithful ones, but the wicked perish in darkness; for by his own strength shall no man prevail.
- Job 40:9 Do you have an arm like God’s? Can you thunder with a voice like His?