Luke 1:51 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

He hath shewed strength, &c.— It is an observation of Grotius, that God's great power is represented by his finger; his greater, by his hand; and his greatest by his arm. The production of lice was the finger of God, Exodus 8:19 and the other miracles in Egypt were done by his hand, Exodus 3:20 but the destruction of Pharaoh and his host in the Red-Sea was brought to pass by his arm, Exodus 15:16. Wherefore the virgin's meaning is, that in this dispensation of his providence, God mightily manifested his sovereign power. He hath scattered the proud, &c. means theproudgreatwomen,whoindulgedmanyfondimaginationsconcerningthe honour that should accrue to them from giving birth to the Messiah. "He hath filled them with shame, to such a degree, that they have scattered and hid themselves;"—in allusion to an army of cowards, who breaking their ranks run off in despair. See Eccl'us, Luke 10:15. Dr. Doddridge explains the passage, "He hath often dispersed the haughty sinners who exalt themselves against him, and confounded them in those schemes which were the most laboured imaginations of their own hearts." These words, says he, are thus peculiarly applicable to the gospel, in which God doth not only cast down imaginations, and every high thing, 2 Corinthians 10:5 by the humbling scheme of his recovering grace, but hath remarkably confounded his most insolent enemies in their own most elaborate projects, and established his sacred cause by the violent attempts which they have made to suppress it. Compare Psalms 2:1-3. The version of 1729 renders it, He hath confounded the proud by the devices of their own hearts.