Luke 1:53
What does Luke 1:53 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 1:53 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 1:53 means
God has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. Mary underscores God’s care for the needy and his judgment against selfish wealth. The imagery is economic and moral: God’s kingdom brings satisfaction to those in need while exposing the vanity of worldly riches. This theme aligns with prophetic calls for justice and compassion and reflects the upside-down values of God’s reign that Jesus will later teach and embody.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The hungry he hath filled with good things; And the rich he hath sent empty away.
KJV
King James Version · 1611He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The hungry he hath filled with good things; And the rich he hath sent empty away.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Those who had no food he made full of good things; the men of wealth he sent away with nothing in their hands;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862The hungry He did fill with good, And the rich He sent away empty,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752He hath filled the hungry with good things: and the rich he hath sent empty away.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890He has filled the hungry with good things, and sent away the rich empty.
Context
This follows the social reversals already mentioned. Mary’s song ties spiritual favor to material and social justice. By including economic consequences, the Magnificat anticipates the gospel’s concern for both spiritual and social transformation, themes developed further in Luke’s Gospel.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 1:26
For behold your calling, brethren, that not many wise after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
- John 6:35
Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall not hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
- Luke 6:21
Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.
- Psalms 146:7
Who executeth justice for the oppressed; Who giveth food to the hungry. Jehovah looseth the prisoners;
- James 2:5
Hearken, my beloved brethren; did not God choose them that are poor as to the world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to them that love him?
- John 6:11
Jesus therefore took the loaves; and having given thanks, he distributed to them that were set down; likewise also of the fishes as much as they would.
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