But Mary treasured up all these thingsMary, the mother of Jesus, is depicted as someone who deeply values and reflects on the events surrounding the birth of her son. The phrase "treasured up" suggests that she carefully preserved these memories, indicating their importance. In the cultural context of the time, oral tradition was a primary means of preserving history, and Mary's actions align with this practice. This phrase also highlights her role as a witness to the fulfillment of prophecies concerning the Messiah, such as those found in
Isaiah 7:14 and
Micah 5:2. Her treasuring of these events underscores the significance of Jesus' birth and the divine nature of the events she witnessed.
and pondered them in her heart.
The act of pondering suggests deep contemplation and meditation. In the biblical context, the heart is often seen as the center of thought and emotion, indicating that Mary was not only remembering these events but also seeking to understand their full meaning. This introspection reflects a common theme in Scripture, where individuals meditate on God's works and words, as seen inPsalm 119:15. Mary's pondering can be seen as an example of faith and obedience, as she seeks to comprehend God's plan. This phrase also connects to the broader narrative of Jesus' life, where understanding and wisdom are central themes, as seen inLuke 2:52, where Jesus grows in wisdom and stature.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
MaryThe mother of Jesus, a young Jewish woman chosen by God to bear His Son. Her response to the events surrounding Jesus' birth is one of contemplation and reflection.
2.
BethlehemThe town where Jesus was born, fulfilling the prophecy of the Messiah's birthplace. It is a significant location in the account of Jesus' birth.
3.
Shepherds' VisitPrior to this verse, shepherds visited Mary, Joseph, and the newborn Jesus after being told by angels about the birth of the Savior. Their visit and the message they shared are part of what Mary pondered.
4.
Angelic AnnouncementThe angels announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds, declaring peace and goodwill. This divine revelation is part of the events Mary treasured.
5.
Jesus' BirthThe central event around which these reflections revolve. The birth of Jesus is the fulfillment of God's promise of salvation.
Teaching Points
Reflective FaithMary’s example teaches us the importance of taking time to reflect on God’s work in our lives. In a world full of distractions, setting aside moments for contemplation can deepen our faith.
Treasuring God’s PromisesJust as Mary treasured the events surrounding Jesus' birth, we are called to treasure God’s promises and His Word in our hearts, allowing them to guide our lives.
Pondering Leads to UnderstandingBy pondering the events, Mary sought to understand God’s plan. We too should seek understanding through prayer and meditation on Scripture.
Heart as a RepositoryOur hearts should be a repository for God’s truths, where we store and reflect on His teachings, allowing them to transform us from within.
Responding to Divine RevelationMary’s response to the divine revelation was thoughtful and meditative. We should also respond to God’s revelations in our lives with a heart open to His guidance.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Luke 2:19?
2.How can we "treasure up" God's work in our hearts daily?
3.What does "pondering them in her heart" teach about meditation on Scripture?
4.How does Luke 2:19 connect with Proverbs 4:23 about guarding our hearts?
5.In what ways can we emulate Mary's reflective attitude in our lives?
6.How does Mary's example in Luke 2:19 inspire deeper personal Bible study?
7.What does "Mary treasured up all these things" in Luke 2:19 imply about her understanding?
8.How does Luke 2:19 reflect the role of women in biblical narratives?
9.Why is Mary's pondering in Luke 2:19 significant for understanding Jesus' early life?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Luke 2?
11.What does "Mary treasured these things in her heart" mean?
12.What does 'Mary treasured these things in her heart' mean?
13.What was Jesus' relationship with Mary and John?
14.Should the little children come to me?What Does Luke 2:19 Mean
But- Luke signals a contrast: while shepherds hurry off proclaiming what they have seen (Luke 2:17-18), Mary responds differently. Though excitement spreads, she pauses.
- Scripture often highlights the quiet observer amid commotion: compare Elijah’s “still small voice” moment after the wind and fire (1 Kings 19:11-13), reminding us that God’s work is not always loud.
- The word cues us to shift attention from public proclamation to personal reflection, showing both are valid responses (cf.Ecclesiastes 3:7).
Mary- The young mother of the Messiah stands center stage; yet her role is humble service (Luke 1:38).
- Like Hannah who dedicated Samuel (1 Samuel 1:26-28), Mary lives out simple obedience, modeling receptive faith.
- Her identity is wrapped in God’s promise (Isaiah 7:14 fulfilled), so her posture here teaches believers how to respond when God’s word intersects everyday life.
Treasured up- She “stored away” each detail as priceless. The shepherds’ words join Gabriel’s announcement (Luke 1:30-33) and Elizabeth’s blessing (Luke 1:42-45).
- Similar language appears inProverbs 2:1 where wisdom is “hidden” within;Job 23:12 speaks of treasuring God’s words more than food.
- Mary does not let any piece slip; she recognizes every event as part of God’s unfolding redemption.
All these things- The scope includes: angelic birth announcement (Luke 2:10-12), the manger sign, the worship of shepherds, and the chorus of praise (Luke 2:13-14).
- Nothing is random;Romans 8:28 later affirms that God works “all things” for good.
- By gathering every detail, Mary models confidence that God weaves individual threads into a single tapestry of salvation (Genesis 50:20).
Pondered them- “Pondered” suggests weighing, comparing, connecting—active meditation.Psalm 77:12: “I will meditate on all You have done and ponder Your mighty deeds.”
- Her reflection parallelsPsalm 1:2 where the blessed person delights and meditates on the Law day and night.
- This inward processing guards against forgetting (James 1:25) and fuels future faith when trials come (John 19:25-27).
In her heart- The heart in Scripture is the seat of thought and will (Proverbs 4:23 “Guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it”).
- Storing truth inside equips for later obedience; Mary will recall these events when twelve-year-old Jesus speaks in the temple (Luke 2:51).
-Philippians 4:8 urges believers to think on what is true and praiseworthy—Mary embodies that exhortation long before it is written.
summaryLuke 2:19 shows Mary quietly gathering every God-given detail about Jesus, locking them in her heart, and continually turning them over in thoughtful meditation. Her example invites believers to value God’s works, store His words, and reflect deeply so that faith grows steady and strong amid life’s noise.
(19)
Mary kept all these things.--On the assumption that the whole narrative is traceable to the Virgin herself as its first author, these brief and simple touches as to her own feelings are of singular interest. She could not as yet understand all that had been said and done, but she received it in faith, and waited till it should be made clear. It was enough for her to know that her Child was, in some sense, the Son of God and the hope of Israel. The contrast between the simplicity and purity of St. Luke's narrative, and the fantastic and often prurient details of the Apocryphal
Gospel of the Infancy is every way suggestive.
Verse 19. -
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. Such a note as this could only have been made by Mary herself.
She knew her Child was in some mysterious sense the Son of God. A glorious being not of earth had told her that her Boy would be the Savior of Israel. The visit of the rough shepherds to her in the crowded caravanserai, and their strange but quiet and circumstantial story of the angel's visit to them, was only another link in the wondrous chain of events which was day by day influencing her young pure life. She could not as yet grasp it all, perhaps she never did in its mighty gracious fullness; but, as at the first, when Gabriel the angel spoke to her, so at each new phase of her life, she bowed herself in quiet trustful faith, and waited and thought, writing down, we dare to believe, the record of all that was passing, and this record, we think, she showed to Luke or Paul.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Butδὲ(de)Conjunction
Strong's 1161:A primary particle; but, and, etc.MaryΜαρία(Maria)Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3137:Or Mariam of Hebrew origin; Maria or Mariam, the name of six Christian females.treasured upσυνετήρει(synetērei)Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4933:From sun and tereo; to keep closely together, i.e. to conserve; mentally, to remember.allπάντα(panta)Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3956:All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.theseταῦτα(tauta)Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3778:This; he, she, it.thingsῥήματα(rhēmata)Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4487:From rheo; an utterance, ; by implication, a matter or topic; with a negative naught whatever.[and] pondered [them]συμβάλλουσα(symballousa)Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4820:From sun and ballo; to combine, i.e. to converse, consult, dispute, to consider, to aid, to join, attack.inἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.herαὐτῆς(autēs)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.heart.καρδίᾳ(kardia)Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2588:Prolonged from a primary kar; the heart, i.e. the thoughts or feelings; also the middle.
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NT Gospels: Luke 2:19 But Mary kept all these sayings pondering (Luke Lu Lk) 
