Luke 2 19

Luke 2:19 kjv

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

Luke 2:19 nkjv

But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Luke 2:19 niv

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Luke 2:19 esv

But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.

Luke 2:19 nlt

but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.

Luke 2 verses

Luke 2 19 Meaning

Luke 2:19 reveals Mary's profound and unique response to the extraordinary events surrounding the birth of Jesus. While others, like the shepherds, outwardly proclaimed what they had seen and heard, Mary inwardly processed the divine revelations. She meticulously preserved these "things"—the angelic messages, the shepherds' testimony, the circumstances of the birth—in her memory and spiritual understanding. She continually contemplated them, seeking to comprehend their full significance and how they interconnected within God's unfolding plan. This verse highlights Mary's deep spiritual insight and her posture of quiet, internal reception and contemplation of God's work.

Luke 2 19 Context

Luke 2:19 is situated immediately after the shepherds' astonishing visit to the stable in Bethlehem, where they found Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus, just as the angel had announced. Filled with wonder and joy, the shepherds returned, "glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen" (Luke 2:20). They actively proclaimed the news to everyone, and "all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them" (Luke 2:18). In stark contrast to this external, public reaction, Luke 2:19 shifts focus to Mary's deeply internal and personal response. It highlights her distinctive spiritual posture as the recipient of divine revelation, chosen by God to bear the Christ, and called to process the unfolding mystery of the incarnation in a way unique to her motherly role. The historical context includes the messianic expectations within Judaism and the Roman rule, against which this profound divine event was unfolding.

Luke 2 19 Word analysis

• But (Δὲ, De): This conjunction serves to contrast Mary's internal, contemplative reaction with the outward, immediate response of the shepherds (who were "making known" what had been told to them). It emphasizes a difference in how two sets of witnesses processed extraordinary divine encounters.
• Mary (Μαρία, Maria): The mother of Jesus, consistently portrayed in Luke's Gospel as humble, obedient, and a receiver of divine announcements. Her response here aligns with her character established in Luke 1, where she pondered the angel Gabriel's words.
• treasured (συνετήρει, synētērei): This is an imperfect tense verb, indicating continuous or repeated action. From syn (together, with) and tēreo (to keep, to guard, to observe). It means "was keeping together," "was carefully preserving," "was holding close." It suggests Mary wasn't just remembering, but actively safeguarding these experiences and words as precious and significant, holding them in her spiritual repository.
• all these things (πάντα τὰ ῥήματα ταῦτα, panta ta rhēmata tauta): The Greek word rhēmata is often translated as "words" or "sayings," rather than merely "events." This implies that Mary was not only treasuring the occurrences (the angelic visitation to the shepherds, the shepherds' report) but also the divine messages and prophecies connected to them. It encompasses the entirety of the divine revelation given concerning Jesus' birth.
• pondering (συμβάλλουσα, symballousa): A present participle, again denoting ongoing action. From syn (together, with) and ballō (to throw, to put). It means "was putting together," "was bringing together," "was comparing," or "was carefully considering." It indicates an active mental and spiritual process of comparison and synthesis—Mary was not merely remembering, but trying to understand the interconnections and deeper meaning of these extraordinary events and divine pronouncements. She was, in essence, putting the pieces of a divine puzzle together.
• in her heart (ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτῆς, en tē kardia autēs): In biblical understanding, the heart (kardia) is not just the seat of emotion, but the very core of a person—their intellect, will, understanding, memory, and spiritual being. To treasure and ponder "in the heart" signifies a profound, internal spiritual work where she internalized the revelations, allowed them to dwell deeply within her, and sought their spiritual implications and connections with prophecy. This was not a superficial emotional response but a deep, intellectual and spiritual engagement.

Luke 2 19 Bonus section

• Mary as a Disciple Par Excellence: This verse, along with Luke 2:51 (which echoes the same sentiment), portrays Mary as an archetypal disciple of Christ. She perfectly embodies the 'good soil' listener in Jesus' parable, who hears the word, holds it fast in an honest and good heart, and bears fruit (Luke 8:15). Her consistent posture of listening, treasuring, and pondering divine truth sets her apart and serves as a model for spiritual discernment.
• Contrasting Responses to Revelation: The narrative intentionally places Mary's introspective response in contrast to the shepherds' external proclamation (Luke 2:17-18). Both are valid and necessary reactions to divine revelation: some are called to immediate evangelism, while others are called to deep spiritual processing. Mary's quiet wisdom balanced the jubilant excitement of the shepherds.
• Preparing for the Future: Mary's practice of treasuring and pondering would have prepared her for the unfolding life and ministry of Jesus. As His true identity, divine purpose, and eventual suffering became clearer, she could draw upon these preserved memories and deep spiritual reflections to strengthen her faith and understanding, much like Simeon's prophecy (Luke 2:35).
• Not a Mere Memory, but Active Engagement: The Greek terms "synētērei" (treasured) and "symballousa" (pondering) denote active intellectual and spiritual engagement, not passive remembrance. Mary was actively trying to understand the divine mystery, piecing together seemingly disparate events into a cohesive, God-ordained narrative. This emphasizes the need for thoughtful reflection in the spiritual life.

Luke 2 19 Commentary

Luke 2:19 offers a profound glimpse into Mary's spiritual maturity and her unique response to divine revelation. While the shepherds outwardly rejoiced and shared the incredible news of Christ's birth, Mary's reaction was one of internal contemplation and preservation. The imperfect tenses of "treasured" and "pondering" indicate that this was not a singular event but an ongoing process of meditation and assimilation. She meticulously "kept together" and "put together" all the words and events, searching for their ultimate meaning and God's design. This was a crucial exercise of discernment, essential for one entrusted with the Messiah's upbringing. Mary models for believers how to truly receive and engage with God's word and work—not just hearing or proclaiming it, but internalizing, reflecting upon, and seeking its deeper truth in the heart. This quiet, discerning reception would undoubtedly fortify her faith for the complex journey ahead with her divine Son.