DiscipleDeck
Get started
Bible Commentary

Isaiah 61:1-3

Isaiah 61:1-3

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

THE MISSION OF THE SERVANT OF THE LORD. The words of our Lord in , "This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears," preclude the application of this passage to any other than the Lord himself.

It is simply astonishing that some Christian commentators (Ewald, Hitzig, Knobel) have not seen the force of this argument, but, with the Jews, imagine the prophet to be speaking of his own ministry.

It is contrary to the entire spirit of Isaiah's writings so to glorify himself, and specially unsuitable that, after having brought forward with such emphasis the Person of "the Servant" (; ; ; ; ), he should proceed to take his place, and to "ascribe to himself those very same official attributes which he has already set forth as characteristic features in his portrait of the predicted One" (Delitzsch).

Hence most recent commentators, whatever their school of thought, have acquiesced in the patristic interpretation, which regarded the Servant of Jehovah as here speaking of himself.

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.

Read today's devotionalSave my progress

Recommended reading

More for Isaiah 61:1-3

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 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…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…
commentaryRecommended resourceExplore this resource connected to the verse you are reading.devotionRecommended resourceExplore this resource connected to the verse you are reading.commentaryRecommended resourceExplore this resource connected to the verse you are reading.commentaryRecommended resourceExplore this resource connected to the verse you are reading.devotionThe Year Everything ReturnsLiberty throughout the land. Jesus declared the Jubilee. Extend it to someone today.DiscipleDeckcommentaryRecommended resourceExplore this resource connected to the verse you are reading.commentaryRecommended resourceExplore this resource connected to the verse you are reading.commentaryRecommended resourceExplore this resource connected to the verse you are reading.