Luke 4:19

KJV

To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

KJV (with Strong's)

To preach {G2784} the acceptable {G1184} year {G1763} of the Lord {G2962}.

Complete Jewish Bible

to proclaim a year of the favor of ADONAI."

Berean Standard Bible

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

American Standard Version

To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 4:19, "To preach the acceptable year of the Lord," stands as a foundational declaration within Jesus' inaugural sermon in the synagogue at Nazareth. This verse, the culmination of His reading from Isaiah 61:1-2a, encapsulates the core purpose and liberating nature of His messianic ministry, signaling the dawn of a new era of divine favor and spiritual restoration for humanity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the concluding phrase of Jesus' reading from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, as recorded in [Luke 4:18-19](/luke/4-18-19 "Luke 4:18-19 - Jesus Reads from Isaiah"). Following this profound declaration, Jesus rolls up the scroll, sits down, and makes the astonishing pronouncement in [Luke 4:21](/luke/4-21 "Luke 4:21 - Fulfillment of Scripture"), "This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears." This dramatic moment serves as Jesus' public unveiling of His messianic identity and the programmatic statement of His earthly mission, setting the stage for the rest of Luke's Gospel. The preceding verses ([Luke 4:16-17](/luke/4-16-17 "Luke 4:16-17 - Jesus in the Synagogue")) detail His customary practice of attending synagogue and His selection of this specific prophetic passage.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' actions in the Nazareth synagogue were deeply rooted in Jewish custom. It was common for a visiting rabbi or respected member of the community to be invited to read from the Scriptures and offer a commentary. The synagogue itself was the center of Jewish life, serving as a place of worship, study, and community gathering. The passage from [Isaiah 61](/isaiah/61 "Isaiah 61 - The Year of the Lord's Favor") was well-known and carried significant messianic implications, speaking of a time of divine deliverance and blessing. The concept of the "acceptable year" would have immediately brought to mind the [Year of Jubilee](/leviticus/25-8-17 "Leviticus 25:8-17 - The Year of Jubilee"), a foundational Old Testament institution ([Leviticus 25](/leviticus/25 "Leviticus 25 - The Jubilee Year")) where debts were forgiven, slaves were freed, and ancestral lands were returned, symbolizing a complete restoration and divine reset.
* **Key Themes:** The primary theme is Jesus' **Messianic Identity and Mission**. By quoting Isaiah 61:1-2a, Jesus explicitly identifies Himself as the Anointed One (Messiah) sent by God to inaugurate a new era. Another crucial theme is **Liberation and Restoration**, echoing the Jubilee concept. Jesus' ministry is presented as one that brings spiritual freedom to the oppressed, healing to the brokenhearted, and sight to the spiritually blind, as outlined in [Luke 4:18](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18 - Jesus' Mission Statement"). Significantly, Jesus deliberately stops His reading before the phrase "and the day of vengeance of our God" from [Isaiah 61:2](/isaiah/61-2 "Isaiah 61:2 - The Day of Vengeance"). This omission highlights that His first coming was primarily a time of **Grace and Divine Favor**, not judgment, establishing a period of salvation and reconciliation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **preach (Greek, _kērýssō'_):** From G2784, meaning "to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel)." This word emphasizes the authoritative and public nature of Jesus' proclamation. He is not merely suggesting or discussing; He is announcing a truth with divine authority, acting as God's official herald. This signifies the urgency and importance of the message He brings.
* **acceptable (Greek, _dektós'_):** From G1184, derived from δέχομαι, meaning "approved; (figuratively) propitious." This term highlights that the "year" is not just any year, but one specifically chosen, appointed, and favored by God. It signifies a period when God is especially disposed to show mercy, extend grace, and accept humanity, making it a time ripe for salvation and reconciliation.
* **Lord (Greek, _kýrios'_):** From G2962, meaning "supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master." This title refers to God Himself, underscoring that this "acceptable year" is not a human initiative but a divine one, orchestrated and empowered by the ultimate sovereign authority. It points to the divine origin and ultimate purpose of Jesus' mission.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"To preach":** This opening phrase immediately establishes the active and public nature of Jesus' ministry. He is not a passive figure but an active herald, commissioned to proclaim a vital message. The act of "preaching" (kērýssō) implies a formal, authoritative announcement, not merely a quiet teaching. It signifies the public declaration of the good news.
* **"the acceptable year of the Lord":** This is the content of Jesus' proclamation. The "acceptable year" (eniauton dektón) is a direct allusion to the Old Testament concept of the Jubilee year, a time of freedom, restoration, and forgiveness. By linking it to "the Lord," it emphasizes that this period of divine favor and liberation is initiated and ordained by God Himself. It is a time when God's grace is abundantly available, marking a new era of salvation.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 4:19 is rich in **Allusion**, primarily to [Isaiah 61:1-2](/isaiah/61-1-2 "Isaiah 61:1-2 - The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me"), which Jesus quotes. This allusion immediately connects Jesus' ministry to long-held messianic prophecies, signaling that He is the fulfillment of Israel's hopes. The phrase "the acceptable year of the Lord" functions as a powerful **Metaphor** for the spiritual Jubilee that Jesus inaugurates. While the Old Testament Jubilee was a literal, temporal event, Jesus transforms it into an enduring spiritual reality, offering liberation from sin, debt, and spiritual bondage. This verse also exemplifies **Prophetic Fulfillment**, as Jesus' very act of reading and then declaring the Scripture fulfilled in their hearing underscores His role as the promised Messiah who brings God's redemptive plan to fruition.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 4:19 profoundly reveals the nature of God's redemptive plan and the character of Jesus' messianic kingdom. It highlights that the era inaugurated by Christ is one of divine grace and favor, a time when God extends His mercy and offers true liberation to all who respond. This "acceptable year" is not a literal 50-year cycle but a spiritual reality that spans the entire New Covenant age, from Christ's first coming until His return. It signifies that the door to reconciliation with God is open, and spiritual freedom from sin, guilt, and the power of darkness is available through Christ's work. This period of grace is a testament to God's love and His desire for humanity's restoration.

* [Isaiah 49:8](/isaiah/49-8 "Isaiah 49:8 - A Time of Favor")
* [2 Corinthians 6:2](/2_corinthians/6-2 "2 Corinthians 6:2 - The Day of Salvation")
* [Galatians 5:1](/galatians/5-1 "Galatians 5:1 - Freedom in Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Living in the "acceptable year of the Lord" means recognizing that we are beneficiaries of God's ongoing grace and favor, inaugurated by Jesus Christ. This is not a passive state but an active call to embrace the spiritual freedom and restoration that Christ offers. It compels us to live as those who have been liberated from sin's bondage, guilt's weight, and the fear of judgment, walking in the light of God's acceptance. Furthermore, as recipients of this good news, we are called to participate in Christ's mission, extending His message of hope, healing, and liberation to a world still in need. Our lives should reflect the transformative power of God's grace, making us agents of His kingdom, bringing light to darkness, and freedom to the captive, just as Jesus did.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I personally experience the "acceptable year of the Lord" in my daily life?**
* **How does understanding Jesus' mission statement in Luke 4:19 shape my own purpose and priorities as a follower of Christ?**
* **What specific areas of my life, or the lives of those around me, need the liberating touch of God's "acceptable year" today?**

### FAQ
**What is the "acceptable year of the Lord" that Jesus preaches?**

Answer: The "acceptable year of the Lord" refers to a period of divine favor, grace, and liberation inaugurated by Jesus Christ. It is an allusion to the Old Testament [Year of Jubilee](/leviticus/25-8-17 "Leviticus 25:8-17 - The Year of Jubilee"), a time when debts were forgiven, slaves were set free, and ancestral lands were returned. Jesus' proclamation signifies that He is ushering in a spiritual Jubilee, a new era where God's ultimate forgiveness, freedom from sin, and restoration are available to all through His ministry. Unlike the literal Jubilee, which occurred every 50 years, this "acceptable year" is a spiritual reality that spans the entire New Covenant age, from Christ's first coming until His return.

**Why did Jesus stop reading Isaiah 61:2 before the phrase "and the day of vengeance of our God"?**

Answer: Jesus intentionally stopped His reading of [Isaiah 61:2](/isaiah/61-2 "Isaiah 61:2 - The Day of Vengeance") before "and the day of vengeance of our God" to emphasize the primary purpose of His first coming. His initial advent was not to bring judgment but to offer salvation, grace, and reconciliation. He came to initiate a period of divine favor and mercy, extending an invitation to humanity to enter into a relationship with God. The "day of vengeance" refers to a future time of judgment, which will occur at His second coming, as described in passages like [Revelation 19:15](/revelation/19-15 "Revelation 19:15 - The Wrath of God"). By stopping where He did, Jesus clearly defined the redemptive nature of His present ministry.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 4:19 is a profound declaration of Christ's identity and the essence of His redemptive work. Jesus, as the Anointed One, is the ultimate herald of God's good news, fulfilling the ancient prophecies of [Isaiah 61](/isaiah/61 "Isaiah 61 - The Spirit of the Lord"). He doesn't merely announce the "acceptable year"; He embodies it. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus became the means by which humanity could experience true spiritual liberation from the bondage of sin ([Romans 6:22](/romans/6-22 "Romans 6:22 - Freed from Sin")), the forgiveness of spiritual debts ([Colossians 2:13-14](/colossians/2-13-14 "Colossians 2:13-14 - Forgiveness of Sins")), and restoration to a right relationship with God ([2 Corinthians 5:18-19](/2_corinthians/5-18-19 "2 Corinthians 5:18-19 - Ministry of Reconciliation")). He is the one who sets the captives free ([John 8:36](/john/8-36 "John 8:36 - True Freedom")), gives sight to the spiritually blind ([John 9:39](/john/9-39 "John 9:39 - Spiritual Blindness")), and preaches good news to the poor in spirit ([Matthew 5:3](/matthew/5-3 "Matthew 5:3 - Blessed are the Poor in Spirit")). Therefore, the "acceptable year of the Lord" is not just a concept; it is the living reality inaugurated by Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), making reconciliation and abundant life available to all who believe.

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 61:2

To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

Isaiah 63:4

For the day of vengeance [is] in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.

Luke 19:42

Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things [which belong] unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.

Leviticus 25:8

¶ And thou shalt number seven sabbaths of years unto thee, seven times seven years; and the space of the seven sabbaths of years shall be unto thee forty and nine years.

Leviticus 25:13

In the year of this jubile ye shall return every man unto his possession.

Leviticus 25:50

And he shall reckon with him that bought him from the year that he was sold to him unto the year of jubile: and the price of his sale shall be according unto the number of years, according to the time of an hired servant shall it be with him.

Leviticus 25:54

And if he be not redeemed in these [years], then he shall go out in the year of jubile, [both] he, and his children with him.