2:19

But: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as But introduces Mary’s reaction to the things that the shepherds told her. Luke focused on Mary’s reaction as special among the group who heard the shepherds’ words. There is a contrast between Mary and everyone else. Everyone was amazed, but Mary also thought carefully about what had happened. In some languages it may not be necessary to use a connector. Translate the connection in a natural way in your language.

treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart: The word heart is figurative here. The Jews often spoke of the heart as the part of a person in which thoughts and feelings occur. In some languages, it may not be natural to use an expression like “in the heart.” If that is true in your language, here are other ways to translate this part of the verse:

• Use a specific expression that people in your culture use to refer to the part of a person in which thoughts and feelings occur. For example:

Mary treasured all these things and turned them over in her mind… (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

• Use a general expression without mentioning a specific part of a person. For example:

Mary treasured these things and continued to think about them. (New Century Version)

treasured up: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as treasured up literally means “kept,” “guarded,” or “protected.” In this context, Mary kept/guarded her thoughts and memories. This means that she continually remembered the things that had happened. She did not allow herself to forget these things.

all these things: The phrase all these things refers to all the events that had happened regarding Jesus. Mary thought not only about what the shepherds said but also about the things that the angel had told her (1:31–35). She probably also thought about what Elizabeth had said (1:42–45).

pondered them: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as pondered means that Mary thought about all these things that had happened. She carefully considered their meaning.

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