Luke 4:19

Commentary on Luke 4:19 (KJV)

The verse Luke 4:19, "To preach the acceptable year of the Lord," is a pivotal part of Jesus' inaugural sermon in his hometown synagogue in Nazareth, as recorded by Luke. It concludes a direct quotation from the prophet Isaiah, revealing the core purpose of His earthly ministry.

Context

In Luke 4:16-17, Jesus stands up to read from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. The passage He reads, spanning Luke 4:18-19, is a direct quote from Isaiah 61:1-2a. This particular verse, Luke 4:19, marks the climax of His reading, immediately before He boldly declares, "This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears" (Luke 4:21). This moment serves as Jesus' public declaration of His mission and identity.

Key Themes and Messages

• The "Acceptable Year of the Lord": This phrase directly alludes to the ancient Israelite concept of the Year of Jubilee, described in Leviticus 25:10. The Jubilee was a sacred year, observed every 50 years, when debts were forgiven, slaves were set free, and ancestral lands were returned to their original owners. It was a time of restoration, liberation, and divine favor. Jesus' proclamation signifies that He is ushering in a spiritual Jubilee, a time of ultimate freedom and favor from God for all who believe.
• Jesus' Mission Statement: This passage from Isaiah is often considered Jesus' inaugural address, outlining the comprehensive nature of His ministry. It encompasses bringing good news to the poor, healing the brokenhearted, liberty to captives, sight to the blind, and setting at liberty those who are bruised (Luke 4:18). The "acceptable year" encapsulates this period of God's gracious intervention through Christ.
• Proclamation of God's Favor, Not Judgment: Significantly, Jesus intentionally stops His reading of Isaiah 61:2 before the phrase "and the day of vengeance of our God." This omission highlights that His first coming was for salvation, grace, and reconciliation, initiating a period of divine favor. The "day of vengeance" awaits His second coming (Revelation 19:15).

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase for "acceptable year" is eniauton dektón Kuriou (ἐνιαυτὸν δεκτὸν Κυρίου). The word dektón means "acceptable," "favorable," or "well-pleasing." This emphasizes God's gracious disposition and willingness to extend salvation and reconciliation to humanity through Jesus Christ. It underscores that this period is a time specially appointed by God for mercy and deliverance, reflecting the profound significance of the Jubilee concept.

Practical Application

For believers today, Luke 4:19 reminds us that we live within the "acceptable year of the Lord." This period of God's grace and favor, inaugurated by Christ, continues throughout the New Covenant era. It calls us to:

• Embrace God's Freedom: Recognize the spiritual liberation from sin, guilt, and the power of darkness that Christ offers (John 8:36).
• Live in God's Favor: Understand that through Christ, we have access to God's unwavering love and grace, not based on our merit, but on His finished work.
• Participate in His Mission: As followers of Christ, we are called to continue His work of proclaiming good news, bringing healing, and advocating for justice and liberation in our world, reflecting the very essence of His mission statement.

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the expansive and liberating nature of Jesus' ministry, offering hope and restoration to all.