[Greek] διαλογίζομαι (dialogizomai), [Latin] cogitare, [Latin] disputare: to consider, to deliberate, to discuss, to reckon, to reason, to resolve in one’s mind, to ponder, to dispute, to hold a discussion, to engage in dialogue, Mk.2:6, Mk.2:8, Lk.1:29, Lk.3:15, Lk.5:21-22, Lk.132:17, Mk.8:16
Classical rhetoric originated in ancient Greece 6th B.C. The Romans further develop this speaking method.
Background Information:
Greek Hellenism: This term is mostly found in the secular sense of to balance (reckon) accounts, to consider, and to engage (debate) in a discussion. In ancient Greece, a legal proceeding was initiated to determine which parties were responsible for the pilfering and assumption of funds from a bank account. Considering or pondering takes on considerable importance in philosophical circles and schools. Formal discussions and investigations in various subjects were developed under the authority of an administrator. These meetings took on the form of conventions and judicial hearings.
Old Testament: This term is primarily found in the sense of to ponder and to consider in the Old Testament. Reckoning takes on the same meaning of considering. The object of such considering (pondering) involve various matters and topics. Such subjects include the nature of God, one’s troubled nature, the days of old, and the dead. There is sparse explicit mention of formal discussion and investigations. Perhaps, the existing Jewish (Hebrew) leadership structures assumed these roles.
New Testament: This term is found both with the sense of to consider (ponder) and to discuss with. It is interesting to note Luke and Mark were considered Hellenistic evangelists. Luke and Mark would have been familiar with the literary devices indicating the sense of conversing or discussing, rather than pondering. In reference to individuals (like Mary), Mark and Luke would not need to add the specific qualifiers such as “in her heart.” These qualifiers would have been redundant. On the other hand, Matthew makes references to considering (pondering).
Scripture:
“But Mary was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.” Lk.1:29
Mary was trying to sort out by herself what the angel meant. Mary need to reason out this situation.
“Then the scribes and Pharisees began to ask themselves, ‘Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who but God alone can forgive sins?'” Lk.5:21
Luke presents the scribes and Pharisees reflecting and discussing among themselves about Jesus’ claim to forgive sins
“Jesus knew their hearts and said to them in reply, ‘What are you thinking in your hearts?’” Lk.5:22
Luke presents the Pharisees pondering Jesus’ claim to forgive sins. The Pharisees considered this to be blasphemous. Luke adds “in your hearts” to indicate that the Pharisees were silently reflecting on this.
“They concluded among themselves that it was because they had no bread.” Mk.8:16
The disciples had only one loaf of bread with them in the boat. The disciples did not understand that Jesus was talking about the Pharisees’ actions, not real bread. The disciple were discussing among themselves about real bread. The disciples did not realize that Jesus is the Bread of Life.
Conclusion:
Dialogue, dialog, cogitate, dispute
I can immediately associate pondering with philosophers. However, I would have never associated this term with legal proceedings. The Old Testament begins to take on the traditional sense of pondering and considering. It was interesting to discover that Luke and Mark were considered Hellenistic evangelists, who conveyed both internal dialogue (pondering) and discussion. Luke and Mark employ literary devices to indicate when a group of people are discussing and/or pondering. In other words, the phrase “in their hearts” indicates pondering. When this involves an individual (like Mary), the words “in her heart” are unnecessary.
When I think of the word dialogue, I immediately think of spoken words. I guess pondering can be considered as a form of unspoken words “said” by oneself. With that being said, I have a better understanding of the expression “in their hearts”. One can only imagine what Mary was pondering after what the angel had said to her. I “reckon” that she must have had a lot to think about!