Luke 4:18

KJV

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,

KJV (with Strong's)

The Spirit {G4151} of the Lord {G2962} is upon {G1909} me {G1691}, because {G1752} he hath anointed {G5548} me {G3165} to preach the gospel {G2097} to the poor {G4434}; he hath sent {G649} me {G3165} to heal {G2390} the brokenhearted {G4937}{G2588}, to preach {G2784} deliverance {G859} to the captives {G164}, and {G2532} recovering of sight {G309} to the blind {G5185}, to set {G649} at {G1722} liberty {G859} them that are bruised {G2352},

Complete Jewish Bible

"The Spirit of ADONAI is upon me; therefore he has anointed me to announce Good News to the poor; he has sent me to proclaim freedom for the imprisoned and renewed sight for the blind, to release those who have been crushed,

Berean Standard Bible

“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed,

American Standard Version

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, Because he anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor: He hath sent me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovering of sight to the blind, To set at liberty them that are bruised,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 4:18 presents Jesus' inaugural address in the synagogue at Nazareth, where He reads from the prophet Isaiah, declaring His Spirit-anointed mission to the world. This pivotal verse encapsulates the multifaceted nature of His ministry, emphasizing His divine empowerment to proclaim good news to the marginalized, bring healing to the emotionally wounded, liberation to the oppressed, sight to the physically and spiritually blind, and freedom to those crushed by life's burdens. It serves as a foundational statement of Jesus' messianic identity and the compassionate, transformative scope of His redemptive work.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a crucial juncture in Luke's Gospel, immediately following Jesus' temptation in the wilderness and His return to Galilee in the power of the Spirit ([Luke 4:14](/luke/4-14 "Luke 4:14 - Jesus Returns to Galilee")). It marks the public inauguration of His ministry. Jesus enters the synagogue in His hometown of Nazareth, a place where He would have been well-known. His selection of the Isaiah scroll and His reading of this specific passage ([Isaiah 61:1-2](/isaiah/61-1-2 "Isaiah 61:1-2 - Prophecy of the Messiah's Ministry")) are deliberate. The dramatic declaration in [Luke 4:21](/luke/4-21 "Luke 4:21 - Fulfillment of Prophecy"), "This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears," directly links His person and work to centuries of messianic expectation, setting the agenda for His entire public ministry as recorded in Luke. The subsequent rejection by His hometown crowd ([Luke 4:28-30](/luke/4-28-30 "Luke 4:28-30 - Rejection at Nazareth")) foreshadows the broader rejection He would face.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Jewish synagogues served as central hubs for religious, social, and educational life. During Sabbath services, it was customary for visiting rabbis or respected members of the community to be invited to read from the Torah or Prophets and offer a commentary. Jesus, as a recognized teacher, was given this honor. The passage from [Isaiah 61](/isaiah/61 "Isaiah 61 - The Year of the Lord's Favor") was understood by many Jews to be a messianic prophecy, describing the work of the coming Anointed One. The "poor," "captives," "blind," and "bruised" were not merely abstract categories but represented real societal conditions in Roman-occupied Judea. Many lived under economic hardship, political oppression, and physical ailments, yearning for divine intervention and liberation. The concept of "deliverance" (ἀπόλυσις) would resonate deeply with a people longing for freedom from foreign rule and restoration of their national dignity, though Jesus would reinterpret this deliverance in profoundly spiritual and holistic terms.

* **Key Themes:** Luke 4:18 is rich with themes central to Luke's Gospel and biblical theology. Firstly, it powerfully underscores **Jesus' Messianic Identity and Divine Empowerment**. His anointing by the Spirit of the Lord directly identifies Him as the Christ (Messiah), the promised deliverer, and highlights that His ministry is not merely human effort but divinely initiated and empowered, a theme consistently presented from His baptism in [Luke 3:22](/luke/3-22 "Luke 3:22 - The Spirit Descends on Jesus"). Secondly, the verse establishes **Jesus' Mission to the Marginalized and Oppressed**. Luke's Gospel consistently emphasizes Jesus' compassion for the poor, the sick, the outcast, and sinners, as seen in passages like [Luke 6:20-26](/luke/6-20-26 "Luke 6:20-26 - Blessings and Woes") and His parables like the Good Samaritan ([Luke 10:25-37](/luke/10-25-37 "Luke 10:25-37 - The Parable of the Good Samaritan")). His ministry is presented as one of holistic **Liberation and Restoration**, addressing not only spiritual needs (preaching the gospel) but also physical ailments (recovering of sight) and emotional suffering (healing the brokenhearted), echoing the comprehensive nature of God's kingdom. Finally, the act of reading and declaring the fulfillment of [Isaiah 61](/isaiah/61 "Isaiah 61 - Prophecy of the Messiah") highlights **The Fulfillment of Prophecy**, demonstrating that Jesus' arrival and work are the culmination of God's redemptive plan foretold in the Old Testament.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **anointed (Greek, _chríō'_):** From G5548, this verb means "to smear or rub with oil, i.e. (by implication) to consecrate to an office or religious service." This term is crucial as it directly links Jesus to the title "Christ" (Greek, _Christos_), which means "Anointed One." In the Old Testament, prophets, priests, and kings were anointed with oil as a sign of their divine appointment and empowerment for a specific role. Jesus' anointing by the Spirit signifies His unique consecration by God for His messianic office, encompassing all three roles as the ultimate Prophet, Priest, and King.
* **gospel (Greek, _euangelízō'_):** From G2097, meaning "to announce good news ('evangelize') especially the gospel." This word emphasizes the nature of Jesus' message as "good news." It is not merely information but a transformative declaration of God's saving activity, particularly for those who are disadvantaged. The "good news" is inherently redemptive, offering hope, salvation, and a new way of life under God's reign.
* **deliverance (Greek, _áphesis'_):** From G859, meaning "freedom; (figuratively) pardon." This term carries significant weight, referring to release from bondage, whether literal imprisonment or, more profoundly, spiritual captivity to sin and its consequences. It implies a complete setting free, a liberation that brings about forgiveness and a new state of liberty. This "deliverance" is central to the transformative power of the gospel that Jesus proclaims.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,"**: This opening clause establishes the divine source and empowerment of Jesus' ministry. It echoes the Old Testament concept of the Spirit of God resting upon individuals chosen for special tasks (e.g., prophets, judges, kings). For Jesus, it signifies His unique anointing as the Messiah, filled with and guided by the Holy Spirit, enabling Him to fulfill His mission.
* **"because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor;"**: This clause explains the purpose of the Spirit's anointing. Jesus is consecrated to proclaim the "good news" (gospel), specifically directed toward the "poor." This highlights a core aspect of Jesus' ministry: His preferential concern for the economically, socially, and spiritually marginalized, offering them hope and inclusion in God's kingdom.
* **"he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted,"**: Jesus' mission includes emotional and psychological healing. The "brokenhearted" refers to those suffering from deep emotional pain, grief, despair, or spiritual anguish. Jesus' ministry brings comfort, restoration, and wholeness to those whose spirits are crushed by life's hardships and sin.
* **"to preach deliverance to the captives,"**: This refers to liberation from various forms of bondage. While it could imply literal prisoners, its primary meaning in the context of Jesus' ministry is spiritual: freedom from the captivity of sin, spiritual darkness, and the dominion of evil. It speaks to the release from anything that holds humanity in spiritual or moral chains.
* **"and recovering of sight to the blind,"**: This phrase encompasses both physical and spiritual restoration. Jesus' miracles of giving sight to the physically blind are well-documented, but it also signifies opening the eyes of those who are spiritually blind to the truth of God's kingdom and their need for salvation. It implies enlightenment and understanding.
* **"to set at liberty them that are bruised,"**: This final clause, which is a slight variation from the Septuagint of Isaiah 61:1, emphasizes Jesus' role in freeing those who are "bruised" or crushed. This refers to those who are oppressed, downtrodden, or suffering under heavy burdens, whether from societal injustice, personal struggles, or the weight of sin. Jesus brings release and restoration to those who are wounded and oppressed.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 4:18 employs several significant literary devices. **Allusion** is paramount, as Jesus directly quotes and alludes to [Isaiah 61:1-2](/isaiah/61-1-2 "Isaiah 61:1-2 - Prophecy of the Messiah's Ministry"), thereby connecting His ministry to centuries of prophetic expectation and establishing His messianic identity. The passage also utilizes **Parallelism** and **Enumeration**, listing a series of distinct but related actions ("preach... heal... preach... recovering... set at liberty"). This creates a comprehensive picture of Jesus' holistic ministry, emphasizing its breadth and depth. The descriptions of the beneficiaries ("the poor," "the brokenhearted," "the captives," "the blind," "them that are bruised") serve as **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**, representing broader categories of human suffering and marginalization that Jesus came to address. The language itself is highly **Symbolic**, particularly "recovering of sight to the blind" and "deliverance to the captives," which, while having literal applications, also carry profound spiritual meanings of enlightenment and freedom from spiritual bondage.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 4:18 is a foundational text for understanding the nature of Jesus' messianic mission and the kingdom of God. It reveals a God who is deeply concerned with the marginalized and suffering, actively intervening to bring holistic liberation. Jesus' anointing by the Spirit signifies that His work is divinely empowered, establishing Him as the ultimate fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the "Anointed One." His ministry is not merely about spiritual salvation but encompasses physical healing, emotional restoration, and social justice, demonstrating the comprehensive scope of God's redemptive plan. This verse underscores the radical inclusivity of the gospel, which prioritizes those often overlooked or oppressed by society, offering them good news, freedom, and dignity. It portrays Jesus as the compassionate liberator who breaks the chains of sin, sickness, and systemic injustice.

* [Isaiah 42:7](/isaiah/42-7 "Isaiah 42:7 - Opening Blind Eyes")
* [Matthew 11:5](/matthew/11-5 "Matthew 11:5 - Jesus' Works for the Poor and Oppressed")
* [Acts 10:38](/acts/10-38 "Acts 10:38 - God Anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 4:18 serves as a profound blueprint for Christian life and ministry, challenging believers to embody the compassionate and liberating spirit of Jesus. Just as Jesus was anointed by the Spirit to bring good news and healing to the world, so too are His followers empowered by the same Spirit to continue His mission. This verse compels us to look beyond superficial needs and address the deep-seated brokenness in individuals and society—the spiritual poverty, emotional wounds, various forms of captivity, blindness to truth, and the crushing weight of oppression. It calls us to be agents of holistic transformation, sharing the gospel not just in words but through acts of mercy, justice, and advocacy for the vulnerable. Our faith is not passive but active, compelling us to engage with the suffering world with the same love and power that Jesus demonstrated, bringing hope and freedom wherever we go.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I see "the poor," "brokenhearted," "captives," "blind," and "bruised" in my community or the world today?**
* **How can I, empowered by the Holy Spirit, participate in Jesus' mission to bring good news, healing, and liberation to these specific groups?**
* **What forms of "blindness" (spiritual or otherwise) might I or others experience that need the "recovering of sight" that Jesus offers?**
* **How does Jesus' focus on the marginalized challenge my own priorities and perspectives on ministry and service?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of Jesus quoting from Isaiah 61:1-2?**

Answer: Jesus' quotation from [Isaiah 61:1-2](/isaiah/61-1-2 "Isaiah 61:1-2 - Prophecy of the Messiah's Ministry") is profoundly significant because it serves as His public declaration of His messianic identity and the purpose of His ministry. By reading this specific prophetic passage, which describes the work of the "Anointed One" (Messiah), and then declaring, "This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears" ([Luke 4:21](/luke/4-21 "Luke 4:21 - Fulfillment of Prophecy")), Jesus explicitly identifies Himself as the long-awaited Messiah. He is claiming that the promises of God, foretold centuries earlier, are now being realized in and through His person and work. This act sets the agenda for His entire ministry, emphasizing that He has come to bring spiritual and holistic liberation to humanity, just as the prophet foretold.

**Does "poor," "captives," and "blind" refer only to spiritual conditions, or also physical/social ones?**

Answer: While Jesus' ministry undeniably addresses spiritual conditions, the terms "poor," "captives," "blind," and "bruised" in [Luke 4:18](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18 - Jesus' Mission Statement") encompass both physical/social and spiritual realities. In Luke's Gospel, Jesus consistently demonstrates compassion for the literally poor and marginalized ([Luke 6:20](/luke/6-20 "Luke 6:20 - Blessings for the Poor")), heals physical ailments like blindness ([Luke 18:35-43](/luke/18-35-43 "Luke 18:35-43 - Healing the Blind Man")), and liberates those in literal bondage. However, He also brings spiritual "good news" to the "poor in spirit," offers "deliverance" from the captivity of sin, and grants "sight" to those spiritually blind to God's truth. Jesus' ministry is holistic, addressing the totality of human brokenness—physical, emotional, social, and spiritual—demonstrating that God's kingdom brings comprehensive restoration.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 4:18 stands as a profound Christ-centered fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, explicitly declaring Jesus' identity as the Spirit-anointed Messiah. This passage from [Isaiah 61:1-2](/isaiah/61-1-2 "Isaiah 61:1-2 - Prophecy of the Messiah's Ministry") is not merely a description of a future deliverer but finds its ultimate and complete realization in Jesus of Nazareth. He is the one upon whom the Spirit of the Lord rests, empowering Him to inaugurate the "year of the Lord's favor" ([Luke 4:19](/luke/4-19 "Luke 4:19 - The Year of the Lord's Favor")), a period of divine grace and salvation. Every aspect of His mission—preaching the gospel to the poor, healing the brokenhearted, proclaiming deliverance to captives, restoring sight to the blind, and setting the bruised at liberty—is perfectly embodied in His life, death, and resurrection. His crucifixion is the ultimate act of setting the bruised at liberty, bearing the weight of humanity's sin and breaking its power ([Colossians 2:14-15](/colossians/2-14-15 "Colossians 2:14-15 - Triumph Over Principalities")). His resurrection is the ultimate deliverance from the captivity of death ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Delivering from Fear of Death")). Through Him, the spiritual blindness of humanity is overcome, and true spiritual sight is granted ([2 Corinthians 4:6](/2_corinthians/4-6 "2 Corinthians 4:6 - God's Light in Our Hearts")). Jesus is the living embodiment of this prophetic declaration, the Anointed One who brings comprehensive salvation and liberation to all who believe, ushering in the kingdom of God with power and grace ([Acts 10:38](/acts/10-38 "Acts 10:38 - God Anointed Jesus of Nazareth")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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;

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 146:7

Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners:

Psalms 146:8

The LORD openeth [the eyes of] the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous:

Acts 10:38

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

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.

Acts 26:18

To open their eyes, [and] to turn [them] from darkness to light, and [from] the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.