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Luke 1:53

Luke 1:53 in Multiple Translations

He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty.

He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

The hungry he hath filled with good things; And the rich he hath sent empty away.

Those who had no food he made full of good things; the men of wealth he sent away with nothing in their hands;

He fills the hungry with good things to eat, and he sends the rich away empty-handed.

Hee hath filled the hungrie with good things, and sent away the rich emptie.

The hungry He did fill with good, And the rich He sent away empty,

He has filled the hungry with good things. He has sent the rich away empty.

He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he hath sent away empty.

He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

He gives good things to eat to those who are hungry, but he sends away the rich people without giving them anything.

And he gives hungry people good food, and they eat until they are full. But he doesn’t give anything to the rich people. They go away with nothing.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Luke 1:53

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Luke 1:53 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
GRK πεινωντας ενεπλησεν αγαθων και πλουτουντας εξαπεστειλεν κενους
πεινωντας peinaō G3983 to hunger Verb-PAP-APM
ενεπλησεν empimplēmi G1705 to fill up Verb-AAI-3S
αγαθων agathos G18 good Adj-GPN
και kai G2532 and Conj
πλουτουντας plouteō G4147 be rich Verb-PAP-APM
εξαπεστειλεν exapostellō G1821 to send out/away Verb-AAI-3S
κενους kenos G2756 empty Adj-APM
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Greek Word Reference — Luke 1:53

πεινωντας peinaō G3983 "to hunger" Verb-PAP-APM
To hunger means to feel a strong need or craving for food, like when Jesus fasted for 40 days in Matthew 4:2. It can also be used figuratively to describe a deep desire or longing, as in Matthew 5:6 where it refers to hungering and thirsting for righteousness.
Definition: πεινάω, -ῶ [in LXX chiefly for = רָעֵב ;] to hunger, be hungry: Mat.4:2 12:1, 3 21:18 25:35, 37 25:42, 44, Mrk.2:25 11:12, Luk.1:53 4:2 6:3, Rom.12:20" (LXX), 1Co.4:11 11:21 11:34 Php.4:12, Rev.7:16; metaphorically, Mat.5:6, Luk.6:21, 25, Jhn.6:35.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 23 NT verses. KJV: be an hungered See also: 1 Corinthians 4:11; Matthew 4:2; Revelation 7:16.
ενεπλησεν empimplēmi G1705 "to fill up" Verb-AAI-3S
To fill up or satisfy, as in Luke 1:53 where God fills the hungry with good things. It can also mean to take one's fill of something, like in Romans 15:24. This word is about being completely filled or satisfied.
Definition: ἐμ-πίπλημι (on ἐμπίμπ-, see LS, see word, Bl., § 6, 8), and ἐμπιπλάω (Act.14:17), [in LXX chiefly for מָלֵא, שָׂבַע ;] to fill full, fill up, satisfy: with accusative of person(s) and genitive of thing(s), Luk.1:53, Act.14:17; pass., Luk.6:25, Jhn.6:12; metaphorically, with genitive of person(s), to take one's fill of: Rom.15:24 (cf. Dan LXX Su 32).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 5 NT verses. KJV: fill See also: Acts 14:17; Luke 1:53; Romans 15:24.
αγαθων agathos G18 "good" Adj-GPN
Good or beneficial, as seen in Luke 8:8 where it describes good soil producing a good crop. This word means something that is pleasant, useful, or morally good. In the Bible, it is used to describe things that are pleasing to God and beneficial to people.
Definition: ἀγαθός, -ή, -όν, [in LXX chiefly for טוֹב ;] in general, good, in physical and in moral sense, used of persons, things, acts, conditions, etc., applied to that which is regarded as "perfect in its kind, so as to produce pleasure and satisfaction, . . . that which, in itself good, is also at once for the good and the advantage of him who comes in contact with it" (Cremer, 3): γῆ, Luk.8:8; δένδρον, Mat.7:18; καρδία, Luk.8:15; δόσις, Jas.1:17; μέρις, Luk.10:42; ἔργον (frequently in Pl.), Php.1:6; ἐλπίς, 2Th.2:16; θησαυρός, Mat.12:35; μνεία, 1Th.3:6 (cf. 2Ma.7:20); as subst., τὸ ἀ, that which is morally good, beneficial, acceptable to God, Rom.12:2; ἐργάζεσθαι τὸ ἀ, Rom.2:10, Eph.4:28; πράσσειν, Rom.9:11, 2Co.5:10; διώκειν, 1Th.5:15; μιμεῖσθαι, III Jo 11; κολλᾶσθαι τῷ ἀ, Rom.12:9; ερωτᾶν περὶ τοῦ ἀ., Mat.19:17; διάκονος εἰς τὸ ἀ., Rom.13:4; τὸ ἀ. σου, thy favour, benefit, Phm 14; pl., τὰ ἀ., of goods, possessions, Luk.12:18; of spiritual benefits, Rom.10:15, Heb.9:11, 10:1. ἀ is opposite to πονηρός, Mat.5:45, 20:5; κακός, Rom.7:19; φαῦλος, Rom.9:11, 2Co.5:10 (cf. MM, VGT, see word). SYN.: καλός, δίκαιος. κ. properly refers to goodliness as manifested in form: ἀ. to inner excellence (cf. the cl. καλὸς κἀγαθός and ἐν καρδία κ. καὶ ἀ., Luk.8:15). In Rom.5:7, where it is contrasted with δ., ἀ. implies a kindliness and attractiveness not necessarily possessed by the δίκαιος, who merely measures up to a high standard of rectitude (cf. ἀγαθωσύνη). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 90 NT verses. KJV: benefit, good(-s, things), well See also: 1 Peter 2:18; Luke 16:25; 1 Peter 3:10.
και kai G2532 "and" Conj
And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.
Definition: καί, conj., and __I. Copulative. __1. Connecting single words; __(a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. __(b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; __(with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. __2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. __(a) where, after the simplicity of the popular language, sentences are paratactically joined (WM, §60, 3; M, Pr., 12; Deiss., LAE, 128ff.): Mat.1:21, 7:25, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.10:3, al.; __(b) joining affirmative to negative sentences: Luk.3:14, Jhn.4:11, IIIJhn.10; __(with) consecutive, and so: Mat.5:1, 23:32, Heb.3:19, al.; after imperatives, Mat.4:19, Luk.7:7, al.; __(d) = καίτοι, and yet: Mat.3:14, 6:26, Mrk.12:12, Luk.18:7 (Field, Notes, 72), 1Co.5:2, al.; __(e) beginning an apodosis (= Heb. וְ; so sometimes δέ in cl.), then: Luk.2:21, 7:12, Act.1:10; beginning a question (WM, §53, 3a): Mrk.10:26, Luk.10:29, Jhn.9:36. __3. Epexegetic, and, and indeed, namely (WM, §53, 3c): Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:16, Act.23:6, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:5, al. __4. In transition: Mat.4:23, Mrk.5:1, 21, Jhn.1:19, al.; so, Hebraistically, καὶ ἐγένετο (וַי:הִי; also ἐγένετο δέ), Mrk.1:9 (cf. Luk.5:1; V. Burton, §§357-60; M, Pr., 14, 16). __5. καὶ . . . καί, both . . . and (for τε . . . καί, see: τε); __(a) connecting single words: Mat.10:28, Mrk.4:41, Rom.11:33, al.; __(b) clauses and sentences: Mrk.9:13, Jhn.7:28, 1Co.1:22, al. __II. Adjunctive, also, even, still: Mat.5:39, 40; Mrk.2:28, al. mult.; esp. with pron., adv., etc., Mat.20:4, Jhn.7:47, al; ὡς κ., Act.11:17; καθὼς κ., Rom.15:7; οὑτω κ., Rom.6:11; διὸ κ., Luk.1:35; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 313ff.), Act.13:9; pleonastically, μετὰ κ.. (Bl., §77, 7; Deiss., BS, 265f,), Php.4:3; τί κ., 1 Co 15:29; ἀλλὰ κ., Luk.14:22, Jhn.5:18, al.; καίγε (M, Pr., 230; Burton, §437), Act.17:27; καίπερ, Heb.5:8; κ. ἐάν, see: ἐάν. ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.
πλουτουντας plouteō G4147 "be rich" Verb-PAP-APM
To be rich or wealthy is what this word means, like in Luke 1:53 where it talks about becoming rich. It can also mean being rich in faith, as in 1 Timothy 6:18, or having a lot of spiritual wealth.
Definition: πλουτέω, -ῶ [in LXX chiefly for עָשַׁר hi. ;] to be rich, aor., to become rich: Luk.1:53, 1Ti.6:9; before ἀπό (Sir.11:18), Rev.18:15; ἐκ, Rev.18:3, 19; ἐν (= cl., with genitive, dative, accusative, cf. πλούσιος), 1Ti.6:18. Metaphorical, π. εἰς θεόν, Luk.12:21; of God, εἰς πάντας, Rom.10:12; aor., I became rich, 1Co.4:8, 2Co.8:9, Rev.3:18; pf., I have become rich, Rev.3:17.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 12 NT verses. KJV: be increased with goods, (be made, wax) rich See also: 1 Corinthians 4:8; Revelation 3:17; Revelation 3:18.
εξαπεστειλεν exapostellō G1821 "to send out/away" Verb-AAI-3S
To send someone out or away on a mission, as in Acts 22:21, where Paul is sent away to the Gentiles. This word means to dispatch or commission someone for a specific task or purpose.
Definition: ἐξ-απο-στέλλω [in LXX freq., chiefly for שָׁלַח pi. ;] __1. to send forth: with accusative of person(s), Act.7:12 12:11, Gal.4:4; τ. ἐπαγγελίαν, Luk.24:49; τ. πνεῦμα, Gal.4:6; [τ. κήρυγμα, Mrk.16:1-20, "shorter conclusion," WH ;] before εἰς, Act.22:21; pass., ὁ λόγος, Act.13:26. __2. to send away: with accusative of person(s), before εἰς, Act.9:30; before ἕως, Act.11:22; with inf., Act.17:14; κενόν, Luk.1:53 20:10-11.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 11 NT verses. KJV: send (away, forth, out) See also: Acts 7:12; Acts 22:21; Luke 20:11.
κενους kenos G2756 "empty" Adj-APM
This word means something is empty, either literally or figuratively, as seen in Ephesians 5:6 and Colossians 2:8. It can describe empty words or actions that have no purpose or value. The Bible uses this word to emphasize the importance of meaningful actions.
Definition: κενός, -ή, -όν [in LXX chiefly for רִיק and cognate forms ;] empty (Gen.37:24, Jdg.7:16). Metaphorical, __(a) empty, vain: λόγοι, Eph.5:6; ἀπάτη, Col.2:8; κήρυγμα, πίστις, 1Co.15:14; __(b) vain, fruitless: ἡ χάρις, 1Co.15:10; κόπος, 1Co.15:50; ἡ εἴσοδος, 1Th.2:1; κενά, Act.4:25 (LXX); εἰς κενόν, in vain, to no purpose (Diod., LXX; cl. διὰ κενῆς), 2Co.6:1, Gal.2:2, Php.2:16, 1Th.3:5; __(with) of persons, empty-handed: Mrk.12:3, Luk.1:53 20:10-11; vain, Jas.2:20.† SYN.: μάταιος, of the aim or effect of an action, κ. of its quality (Lft. on Cl. Rom., 1Co., § 7; Tr., Syn., xlix) (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 16 NT verses. KJV: empty, (in) vain See also: 1 Corinthians 15:10; Ephesians 5:6; James 2:20.

Study Notes — Luke 1:53

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Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Psalms 107:8–9 Let them give thanks to the LORD for His loving devotion and His wonders to the sons of men. For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.
2 Luke 6:21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
3 Psalms 34:10 Young lions go lacking and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
4 Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
5 Revelation 7:16–17 ‘Never again will they hunger, and never will they thirst; nor will the sun beat down upon them, nor any scorching heat.’ For the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd. ‘He will lead them to springs of living water,’ and ‘God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’ ”
6 Luke 6:24 But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.
7 1 Corinthians 1:26 Brothers, consider the time of your calling: Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were powerful; not many were of noble birth.
8 John 6:35 Jesus answered, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst.
9 Revelation 3:17–18 You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, white garments so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not exposed, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.
10 John 6:11–13 Then Jesus took the loaves and the fish, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. And when everyone was full, He said to His disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over, so that nothing will be wasted.” So they collected them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

Luke 1:53 Summary

This verse is saying that God is a God of justice and mercy, who cares for those who are humble and recognize their need for Him, and who fills them with good things. On the other hand, those who are proud and trust in their wealth will be sent away empty. This is not just about money, but about where we put our trust and what we value most (see Matthew 6:24 and 1 Timothy 6:10). As we reflect on this verse, we can ask ourselves where we are putting our trust, and how we can seek to be filled with good things from God.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to be 'hungry' in Luke 1:53?

To be hungry in this context means to be spiritually needy and aware of one's emptiness, as seen in Psalm 107:9, where God satisfies the longing soul and fills the hungry soul with good things.

Why does God send the rich away empty?

God sends the rich away empty because they often trust in their wealth and are self-sufficient, rather than trusting in Him, as seen in Luke 12:15, where Jesus warns against greed and materialism.

Is this verse saying that all rich people are bad?

No, this verse is not saying that all rich people are bad, but rather that those who trust in their wealth and are proud will be sent away empty, whereas those who are humble and recognize their need for God will be filled with good things, as seen in James 2:5.

How does this verse relate to the rest of the Bible?

This verse is part of a larger theme in the Bible, where God is seen as a God of justice and mercy, who cares for the poor and the humble, and who brings down the proud, as seen in Isaiah 61:1 and Matthew 25:31-46.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some areas in my life where I am spiritually hungry, and how can I seek to be filled with good things from God?
  2. How can I cultivate a sense of humility and recognition of my need for God, rather than trusting in my own wealth or abilities?
  3. What are some ways that I can serve and care for the poor and the humble, as God does, and how can I be a part of bringing justice and mercy to those around me?
  4. How can I balance my desire for material comfort and security with my desire to trust in and follow God, and what are some biblical principles that can guide me in this?

Gill's Exposition on Luke 1:53

He hath filled the hungry with good things,.... Such as earnestly desired and longed after the coming of the Messiah, as good old Simeon, and Anna the prophetess; and those that looked for redemption

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Luke 1:53

For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things ... Verse 50. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. Verse 51.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Luke 1:53

In this sentence the holy virgin celebrates the equity of God in the government of the world, proportioning men in some degrees one to another, that the rapacious qualities of some might not gain all to them, while, others have nothing. The notion of hungry, speaketh persons in want, and craving a supply. The notion of rich, signifieth persons that are full. God blesseth the poor, pitieth the needy, while he neglects greater persons. Some apply it to those whom Christ blesseth, , who hunger and thirst after righteousness, and expound the rich of those who think they have no need of the righteousness of Christ. In this sense it is also true, but whether the virgin intended it here or not I know not.

Trapp's Commentary on Luke 1:53

53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. Ver. 53. He hath filled the hungry]

Ellicott's Commentary on Luke 1:53

(53) He hath filled the hungry.—It is interesting to note the manner in which the song of the Virgin anticipates the beatitudes of the Sermon on the Plain as reported by St. Luke (Luke 6:21). The words, like those of the beatitudes, have both their literal and their spiritual fulfilments. Both those who trusted in their earthly riches, and those who gloried in their fancied spiritual wealth, were sent empty away, while the “hungry,” those who craved for a higher blessedness, were filled with the peace and righteousness which they sought.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Luke 1:53

Verse 53. Filled the hungry - the rich he hath sent empty away.] God is here represented under the notion of a person of unbounded benevolence, who is daily feeding multitudes at his gates. The poor and the rich are equally dependent upon him; to the one he gives his affluence for a season, and to the other his daily bread. The poor man comes through a sense of his want to get his daily support, and God feeds him; the rich man comes through the lust of gain, to get more added to his abundance, and, God sends him empty away - not only gives him nothing more, but often deprives him of that which he has, because he has not improved it to the honour of the giver. There is an allusion here, as in several other parts of this song, to the case of Hannah and Peninah, as related 1 Samuel 1:2, c. 1 Samuel 2:1-10.

Cambridge Bible on Luke 1:53

53. filled the hungry with good things] “My servants shall eat but ye shall be hungry, &c.,” Isaiah 65:13; Isaiah 25:6; Psalms 34:10, and the Beatitude Matthew 5:6. (See Luke 18:14, the Publican and the Pharisee.)

Barnes' Notes on Luke 1:53

He hath filled the hungry with good things - This is a celebration of the general mercy of God. He hath daily fed the poor, the needy, and those who came to Him with humble hearts.

Whedon's Commentary on Luke 1:53

46-55. The Magnificat, or triumphal hymn of the Blessed Virgin.This hymn has been called the Magnificat, from the first word of the Latin version; the Hymn of Zacharias (68-79) is called the

Sermons on Luke 1:53

SermonDescription
Zac Poonen 5) Our Father in Heaven Gives Us Wisdom (Kannada) by Zac Poonen This sermon emphasizes the importance of seeking wisdom from God through prayer, highlighting the necessity of faith and humility. It discusses how asking for wisdom is crucial as
Watchman Nee God Waits for Us to Be Empty by Watchman Nee Watchman Nee emphasizes that God desires us to be continuously empty in order to be filled with the Holy Spirit. He illustrates this through the story of a woman who had only a pot
From the Pulpit & Classic Sermons Garments of Praise - Ben Crandall by From the Pulpit & Classic Sermons In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of praising God and laying aside the spirit of heaviness. He quotes various verses from the book of Psalms that call for prais
Peter Hammond Cultivating an Attitude of Gratitude by Peter Hammond Peter Hammond preaches on the importance of being joyful, prayerful, and thankful, as exemplified by individuals like Nicolae Moldoveanu, Fanny Crosby, Helen Keller, and persecuted
Zac Poonen Luke - Part 2 by Zac Poonen In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being disciples of Jesus rather than just evangelizing. He highlights the need for Christians to live in a way that glorif
Basilea Schlink The Gift of Joy! by Basilea Schlink In this sermon, Basilia Schlink shares her testimony of finding joy in her relationship with God. She describes how her sisterhood experienced tears of repentance and sorrow due to
Basilea Schlink Already Heaven by Basilea Schlink In this sermon by Basilia Schlink, the focus is on the concept of heaven and its relevance in our lives. The speaker emphasizes that God's kingdom is already present on earth and t

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