Bible Strands
Luke 2:19
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The narrative records Mary’s response immediately after the shepherds deliver the angel’s announcement. This occurs in the moment following the shepherds’ testimony and the surrounding crowd’s amazement.
The words — The text employs συνετήρει (sunetērei), literally “was treasuring up,” and ῥήματα (rhēmata), meaning “declarations” or “sayings.” These terms frame her internal handling of the events just recounted.
The thread — Luke repeats this pattern in Luke 2:51, where Mary again treasures events in her heart, while Luke 1:66 notes others wondering in their hearts at similar divine announcements. Proverbs 4:4 parallels the directive to let the heart lay hold of God’s words.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to recognize a deliberate pause for reflection after receiving extraordinary claims. It directs attention to internal processing rather than immediate external reaction.
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
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
Cross-references
- Luke 2:51 Then He went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured up all these things in her heart.
- Luke 1:66 And all who heard this wondered in their hearts and asked, “What then will this child become?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.
- Proverbs 4:4 he taught me and said, “Let your heart lay hold of my words; keep my commands and you will live.
- Genesis 37:11 And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept in mind what he had said.
- 1 Samuel 21:12 Now David took these words to heart and was very much afraid of Achish the king of Gath.
- Hosea 14:9 Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them. For the ways of the LORD are right, and the righteous walk in them but the rebellious stumble in them.
- Luke 9:43 And they were all astonished at the greatness of God. While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus was doing, He said to His disciples,