Luke 2:19 says, "But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart." Let's break down what that means:
"Mary kept all these sayings...": This refers to the words spoken by the shepherds who had visited the infant Jesus. They had received a message from angels about the newborn Messiah and then gone to Bethlehem to find him, and after seeing Jesus, they shared what they had heard. Mary was paying attention to their testimony. The word "kept" implies she was treasuring, guarding, and remembering them, not forgetting or dismissing them.
"...pondering them...": The Greek word translated as "pondering" is symballo. It suggests putting things together, comparing, and considering their meaning and implications. It's an active mental process. She wasn't just passively remembering the words; she was thinking deeply about them.
"...in her heart.": The "heart" in biblical language isn't just the emotional center; it's the seat of intellect, will, and the whole inner person. Mary wasn't just feeling emotional about these things; she was processing them at a deep, cognitive, and spiritual level. She was trying to understand what they meant for her, for Jesus, and for the future.
In summary, Luke 2:19 indicates that Mary was deeply moved by the events surrounding Jesus' birth and the prophetic words spoken about him. She carefully treasured and reflected on these things, seeking to understand their significance and meaning in the depths of her being.
Possible interpretations/implications:
Mary's faith and devotion: This verse shows Mary's faith in God's plan and her willingness to accept the extraordinary role she was given.
Mary's role as a witness: She was a key witness to these events and took them to heart.
The mystery of the Messiah: The verse highlights the mysterious nature of Jesus' identity and purpose, even from his birth.
A model for believers: Mary's example of pondering these things encourages believers to meditate on scripture and seek a deeper understanding of God's word.
Luke 2:19 says, "But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart." Let's break down what that means:
"Mary kept all these sayings...": This refers to the words spoken by the shepherds who had visited the infant Jesus. They had received a message from angels about the newborn Messiah and then gone to Bethlehem to find him, and after seeing Jesus, they shared what they had heard. Mary was paying attention to their testimony. The word "kept" implies she was treasuring, guarding, and remembering them, not forgetting or dismissing them.
"...pondering them...": The Greek word translated as "pondering" is symballo. It suggests putting things together, comparing, and considering their meaning and implications. It's an active mental process. She wasn't just passively remembering the words; she was thinking deeply about them.
"...in her heart.": The "heart" in biblical language isn't just the emotional center; it's the seat of intellect, will, and the whole inner person. Mary wasn't just feeling emotional about these things; she was processing them at a deep, cognitive, and spiritual level. She was trying to understand what they meant for her, for Jesus, and for the future.
In summary, Luke 2:19 indicates that Mary was deeply moved by the events surrounding Jesus' birth and the prophetic words spoken about him. She carefully treasured and reflected on these things, seeking to understand their significance and meaning in the depths of her being.
Possible interpretations/implications:
Mary's faith and devotion: This verse shows Mary's faith in God's plan and her willingness to accept the extraordinary role she was given.
Mary's role as a witness: She was a key witness to these events and took them to heart.
The mystery of the Messiah: The verse highlights the mysterious nature of Jesus' identity and purpose, even from his birth.
A model for believers: Mary's example of pondering these things encourages believers to meditate on scripture and seek a deeper understanding of God's word.