Luke 1:53

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 1:53 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “The hungry he hath filled with good things; And the rich he hath sent empty away.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

The hungry he hath filled with good things; And the rich he hath sent empty away.
Luke 1:53 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
53The hungry he hath filled with good things; And the rich he hath sent empty away.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“He hath filled the hungry with good things, etc.] 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 in Israel, to whom she spake: and all such persons as heartily desire salvation by Christ, and breathe after the forgiveness of their sins through his blood, and thirst after his righteousness, and long for communion with him, and a greater knowledge of him, and more conformity to him, and pant after his word and ordinances; these are filled, sooner or later, with a sense of their interest in Christ, and his salvation; with a view of the full and free forgiveness of their sins, and with his…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“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. The rich he hath sent ... - While the poor come to him for a supply of their daily wants, the rich come not that their necessities should be supplied, but come with lofty hearts, and insatiable desires that their riches may be increased. When this is the case, God not unfrequently not only “withholds” what they ask, but he takes their riches away by fire, or flood, or disappointments, and sends them away empty, Proverbs 23:5. It is better to be poor and go to God for our daily bread, than to be rich and forget our…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“filled: Luk 6:21; Sa1 2:5; Psa 34:10, Psa 107:8, Psa 107:9, Psa 146:7; Eze 34:29; Mat 5:6; Joh 6:11-13, Joh 6:35; Jam 2:5; Rev 7:16, Rev 7:17 and: Luk 6:24, Luk 12:16-21, Luk 16:19-25, Luk 18:11-14, Luk 18:24, Luk 18:25; Co1 1:26, Co1 4:8; Jam 2:6; Jam 5:1-6; Rev 3:17, Rev 3:18 Luke 1:54”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification