Bible Commentary

Isaiah 61:1

Isaiah 61:1

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public Domain

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; literally, the Spirit of the Lord Jehovah (Adonai Jehovah) is upon me. The Septuagint, the Vulgate, and one manuscript omit adonai. In the original announcement of "the Servant" it was stated that God had "put his Spirit upon him" ().

The sanctification of our Lord's human nature by the Holy Spirit is very explicitly taught in the Gospels. The Lord hath anointed me. The "anointing" of Jesus was that sanctification of his human nature by the Holy Spirit, which commenced in the womb of the blessed Virgin (), which continued as he grew to manhood (, ), which was openly manifested at his baptism, and never ceased till he took his body and soul with him into heaven.

Of this spiritual anointing, all material unction, whether under the Law (Le , 30; 1 Samuel 10:1; 1 Samuel 16:13; 1 Kings 1:39; 1 Kings 19:15,1 Kings 19:16, etc.) or under the gospel (; ), was symbolical or typical.

To preach good tidings (comp. ; ; ; and ). Unto the meek (see ; ; and comp. ; ). To bind up the broken-hearted.

"Binding up" is an ordinary expression in Isaiah's writings for "healing" (see ; ; ). To proclaim liberty to the captives. This was one of the special offices of "the Servant" (see ).

The "captivity'' intended is doubtless that of sin. And the opening of the prison to them that are bound. St. Luke, following the Septuagint, has, "and recovering of sight to the blind." It is thought by some that the original Hebrew text has been corrupted.

Others regard the Septuagint rendering as a paraphrase.

The Daily Devotional

One devotional. Every morning.

The full reading, the passage behind it, and where to go deeper — in your inbox before the day starts. No ads, ever.

We'll send one email to confirm it's really you. Unsubscribe in one tap, any time.

Continue tomorrow

Turn Bible study into a daily habit

Read today's devotional, save your progress, and receive a gentle daily reminder.

Recommended reading

More for Isaiah 61:1

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

Isaiah 61 — OverviewIsaiah 61 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleIn this chapter, I. We are sure to find the grace of Christ, published by himself to a lost world in the everlasting gospel, under the type and figure of Isaiah's province, which was to foretel the deliverance…Isaiah 61 — OverviewIsaiah 61 · Treasury of Scripture KnowledgeIsaiah 61:1, The office of Christ; Isaiah 61:4, The forwardness; Isaiah 61:7, and blessing of the faithful.Isaiah 61 — OverviewIsaiah 61 · John Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleIn 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;…Isaiah 61:1-3Isaiah 61:1-3 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleHe that is the best expositor of scripture has no doubt given us the best exposition of these verses, even our Lord Jesus himself, who read this in the synagogue at Nazareth (perhaps it was the lesson for the…Isaiah 61:1Isaiah 61:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe coming Saviour. "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me," etc. These words are specially memorable as being those which the Saviour read in the synagogue at Nazareth. We have had it described to us "with its…Isaiah 61:1Isaiah 61:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryMessiah's mission, to the troubled. Those more especially addressed by Messiah are called the "meek," the "broken-hearted," the "captives," and the "bound." It at once comes to mind that precisely such persons were…