Luke 1:52-55

1:52 He has brought down the mighty ¹  from their thrones, and has lifted up those of lowly position; ² 

1:53 he has filled the hungry with good things, ³  and has sent the rich away empty. ⁴ 

1:54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering ⁵  his mercy, ⁶ 

1:55 as he promised ⁷  to our ancestors, ⁸  to Abraham and to his descendants ⁹  forever.”

[1:52]  ¹ tn Or “rulers.”

[1:52]  ² tn Or “those of humble position”

[1:53]  ³ sn Good things refers not merely to material blessings, but blessings that come from knowing God.

[1:53]  ⁴ sn Another fundamental contrast of Luke’s is between the hungry and the rich (Luke 6:20-26).

[1:54]  ⁵ tn Or “because he remembered mercy,” understanding the infinitive as causal.

[1:54]  ⁶ tn Or “his [God’s] loyal love.”

[1:55]  ⁷ tn Grk “as he spoke.” Since this is a reference to the covenant to Abraham, ἐλάλησεν (elalhsen) can be translated in context “as he promised.” God keeps his word.

[1:55]  ⁸ tn Grk “fathers.”

[1:55]  ⁹ tn Grk “his seed” (an idiom for offspring or descendants).