Church Fathers Commentary Luke 1:51

"He hath showed strength with his arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their heart." — Luke 1:51 (ASV)

The Venerable Bede: In describing the state of humanity, she shows what the proud and the humble deserve, saying, He has shown strength with His arm—that is, with the Son of God Himself. For just as your arm is the means by which you work, so the arm of God is said to be His Word, through whom He made the world.

Origen of Alexandria: To those who fear Him, He has done mighty things with His arm. Though you may come to God in weakness, if you have feared Him, you will obtain the promised strength.

Theophylact of Ohrid: For in His arm—that is, His incarnate Son—He has shown strength, since nature was overcome: a virgin gave birth, and God became man.

Greek Expositors: Alternatively, she says He has shown strength, meaning He will show strength. This is not like the power shown long ago through the hand of Moses against the Egyptians, or through the Angel (when he slew many thousands of the rebellious Assyrians), or through any other instrument. Rather, by His own power, He openly triumphed, overcoming spiritual enemies.

From this it follows, He has scattered the proud. This means that God has exposed every heart that was puffed up and disobedient to His coming, laying bare the wickedness of their proud thoughts.

St. Cyril of Alexandria: These words may also be fittingly understood as referring to the hostile ranks of evil spirits. For they were raging on the earth when our Lord’s coming put them to flight and restored to His obedience those whom they had bound.

Theophylact of Ohrid: This could also be understood to refer to the Jewish people, whom God scattered into all lands, where they remain scattered today.