Isaiah 61:1

¶ The Spirit of the Lord GOD [is] upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound;

The Spirit {H7307} of the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069} is upon me; because the LORD {H3068} hath anointed {H4886} me to preach good tidings {H1319} unto the meek {H6035}; he hath sent {H7971} me to bind up {H2280} the brokenhearted {H7665}{H3820}, to proclaim {H7121} liberty {H1865} to the captives {H7617}, and the opening of the prison {H6495} to them that are bound {H631};

The Spirit of Adonai ELOHIM is upon me, because ADONAI has anointed me to announce good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted; to proclaim freedom to the captives, to let out into light those bound in the dark;

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners,

The Spirit of the Lord Jehovah is upon me; because Jehovah hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

Isaiah 61:1 is a powerful prophetic verse often understood as a description of the mission of the Messiah. It speaks of being empowered by the Spirit of God to bring comfort, healing, and liberation to those who are suffering and oppressed.

Context

This verse is the beginning of Isaiah chapter 61, which shifts focus to the glorious restoration of Israel and the redemptive work performed by one specially appointed by the Lord. While it has historical applications, its language and themes strongly point towards a future fulfillment, particularly in the person and work of Jesus Christ, as He Himself indicated.

Key Themes

  • Anointing by the Spirit: The speaker is explicitly identified as being empowered by the Spirit of the Lord God, indicating a divine appointment and capability for the task ahead.
  • Preaching Good Tidings to the Meek: The primary audience mentioned first are the "meek" or poor, highlighting God's special care for the humble and downtrodden. The message is one of "good tidings," which in the New Testament context becomes the gospel message of salvation.
  • Binding up the Brokenhearted: This speaks to emotional and spiritual healing and comfort for those who are hurting and in despair.
  • Proclaiming Liberty to the Captives: This refers to release from various forms of bondage, whether physical imprisonment or, more significantly, spiritual bondage to sin and death.
  • Opening of the Prison to Them That Are Bound: Similar to proclaiming liberty, this emphasizes the freeing of those held captive, illustrating the comprehensive nature of the Messiah's work of liberation.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "anointed" here is mashach (מָשַׁח), from which the title "Messiah" is derived. This directly links the speaker to the promised deliverer. The phrase "good tidings" translates basar (בָּשַׁר), which is the root word behind the concept of "gospel" (euangelion in Greek), meaning good news.

Reflection and Application

Jesus read this very passage in the synagogue in Nazareth and declared, "This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears" (Luke 4:21). This confirms that He saw Himself as the one anointed by the Spirit to fulfill this mission. The work described here – bringing good news, healing, and freedom – is central to Christ's ministry and continues today through His followers who are empowered by the same Holy Spirit. It calls believers to participate in God's work of bringing hope, healing, and liberation to a broken world.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Luke 4:18

    The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

  • Luke 4:19

    To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

  • Luke 7:22

    Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.

  • Isaiah 42:7

    To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, [and] them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

  • Matthew 11:5

    The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

  • Psalms 147:3

    He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

  • Isaiah 42:1

    ¶ Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, [in whom] my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
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