Isaiah 61:1-4

The Year of the Lord’s Favor

1 ¹The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has ²anointed me to bring good news to the poor; ^[a] he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and ³the opening of the prison to those who are bound; ^[b]

2 ⁴to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, ⁵and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;

3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion— ⁶to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, ⁷the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; ⁸that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, ⁹that he may be glorified. ^[c]

4 ¹⁰They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.

Isaiah 61:1-4 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 61

In this chapter both Christ and the church are introduced speaking, in their turns. It begins with the words of Christ, describing his work and office; his qualifications for it; the several parts and branches of it; and the ends to be answered by it; Isa 61:1-3, the reparation of the church; the feeding it by strangers; its being a holy priesthood; its enjoying the riches of the Gentiles; its having honour and joy, instead of shame and confusion; its prosperity in the work of the Lord, and the continuance of its spiritual offspring among the Gentiles, are prophesied of in Isa 61:4-9, and then the church is represented as rejoicing in the Lord, on account of her being clothed with his righteousness, so ornamental to her, Isa 61:10 and the chapter is concluded with a promise of her righteousness and glory appearing before all the nations of the world; of which the following chapter is an illustrious prophecy, Isa 61:11.

Cross References

• 1. 61:1 ch. 11:2; 42:1; 48:16; Cited Luke 4:18, 19
• 2. 61:1 Ps. 45:7
• 3. 61:1 ch. 45:13; Ps. 146:7
• 4. 61:2 [Lev. 25:10]
• 5. 61:2 ch. 34:8
• 6. 61:3 ver. 10; [ch. 28:5]
• 7. 61:3 Ps. 45:7; Heb. 1:9
• 8. 61:3 [ch. 60:21]
• 9. 61:3 John 15:8
• 10. 61:4 Amos 9:14; See ch. 58:12

Footnotes

• [a] 61:1 Or 'afflicted'
• [b] 61:1 Or 'the opening' [of the eyes] 'to those who are blind'; Septuagint 'and recovery of sight to the blind'
• [c] 61:3 Or 'that he may display his beauty'