Isaiah61
New Living Translation
1The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.
2He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.
3To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.
4They will rebuild the ancient ruins, repairing cities destroyed long ago. They will revive them, though they have been deserted for many generations.
5Foreigners will be your servants. They will feed your flocks and plow your fields and tend your vineyards.
6You will be called priests of the Lord, ministers of our God. You will feed on the treasures of the nations and boast in their riches.
7Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor. You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.
8“For I, the Lord, love justice. I hate robbery and wrongdoing. I will faithfully reward my people for their suffering and make an everlasting covenant with them.
9Their descendants will be recognized and honored among the nations. Everyone will realize that they are a people the Lord has blessed.”
10I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding or a bride with her jewels.
11The Sovereign Lord will show his justice to the nations of the world. Everyone will praise him! His righteousness will be like a garden in early spring, with plants springing up everywhere.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Isaiah 61.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The Messiah, his character and office. (1-3). His promises of the future blessedness of the church. (4-9). The church praises God for these mercies. (10,11).
vv1-3
The prophets had the Holy Spirit of God at times, teaching them what to say, and causing them to say it; but Christ had the Spirit always, without measure, to qualify him, as man, for the work to which he was appointed. The poor are commonly best disposed to receive the gospel, James 2:5; and it is only likely to profit us when received with meekness. To such as are poor in spirit, Christ preached good tidings when he said, Blessed are the meek. Christ's satisfaction is accepted. By the dominion of sin in us, we are bound under the power of Satan; but the Son is ready, by his Spirit, to make us free; and then we shall be free indeed. Sin and Satan were to be destroyed; and Christ triumphed over them on his cross. But the children of men, who stand out against these offers, shall be dealt with as enemies. Christ was to be a Comforter, and so he is; he is sent to comfort all who mourn, and who seek to him, and not to the world, for comfort. He will do all this for his people, that they may abound in the fruits of righteousness, as the branches of God's planting. Neither the mercy of God, the atonement of Christ, nor the gospel of grace, profit the self-sufficient and proud. They must be humbled, and led to know their own character and wants, by the Holy Spirit, that they may see and feel their need of the sinner's Friend and Saviour. His doctrine contains glad tidings indeed to those who are humbled before God.
vv4-9
Promises are here made to the Jews returned out of captivity, which extend to all those who, through grace, are delivered out of spiritual thraldom. An unholy soul is like a city that is broken down, and has no walls, like a house in ruins; but by the power of Christ's gospel and grace, it is fitted to be a habitation of God, through the Spirit. When, by the grace of God, we attain to holy indifference as to the affairs of this world; when, though our hands are employed about them, our hearts are not entangled with them, but preserved entire for God and his service, then the sons of the alien are our ploughmen and vine-dressers. Those whom He sets at liberty, he sets to work. His service is perfect freedom; it is the greatest honour. All believers are made, to our God, kings and priests; and always ought to conduct themselves as such. Those who have the Lord for their portion, have reason to say, that they have worthy portion, and to rejoice in it. In the fulness of heaven's joys we shall receive more than double for all our services and sufferings. God desires truth, and therefore hates all injustice. Nor will it justify any man's robbery to say, it was for burnt-offerings; and that robbery is most hateful which is under this pretence. Let the children of godly parents be such, that all may see the fruits of a good education; an answer to the prayers for them, in the fruit of God's blessing.
vv10-11
Those only shall be clothed with the garments of salvation hereafter, that are covered with the robe of Christ's righteousness now, and by the sanctification of the Spirit have God's image renewed upon them. These blessings shall spring forth for ages to come, as the fruits of the earth. So duly, so constantly, and with such advantage to mankind, will the Lord God cause righteousness and praise to spring forth. They shall spread far; the great salvation shall be published and proclaimed, to the ends of the earth. Let us be earnest in prayer, that the Lord God may cause that righteousness to spring forth among us, which constitutes the excellence and glory of the Christian profession.
Key Words
רוּחַ: wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions)
אֲדֹנָי: the Lord (used as a proper name of God only)
עַל: above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מָשַׁח: to rub with oil, i.e. to anoint; by implication, to consecrate; also to paint
בָּשַׂר: properly, to be fresh, i.e. full (rosy, (figuratively) cheerful); to announce (glad news)
עָנָו: depressed (figuratively), in mind (gentle) or circumstances (needy, especially saintly)
שָׁלַח: to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
חָבַשׁ: to wrap firmly (especially a turban, compress, or saddle); figuratively, to stop, to rule
קָרָא: to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
דְּרוֹר: freedom; hence, spontaneity of outflow, and so clear
Cross References
Isaiah 61Jesus directly reads and applies this prophecy to Himself as His messianic commission.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
The language of proclaiming liberty to captives alludes to the Year of Jubilee.
Supported by JFB
Explains how God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power to heal the oppressed.
The Messiah is anointed by God with the oil of gladness above His companions.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Jesus cites preaching the gospel to the poor/meek as evidence of His messiahship.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Paul quotes the 'acceptable time' or 'year' as fulfilled in the gospel dispensation.
Supported by JFB
Parallel description of God's people as His planting that He might be glorified.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
The national calling of Israel to be a kingdom of priests unto God.
Supported by JFB
Believers are designated as a royal priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices.
Supported by JFB
Praise to Him who has made us kings and priests unto our God.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Links the year of redemption with the day of vengeance in the Messiah's work.
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Bearing fruit as 'trees of righteousness' glorifies the Father.
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Parallels the building of old waste places and raising up former desolations.
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The promise of receiving double compensation from God for all past shame.
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God promises to restore double blessings to the prisoners of hope.
Supported by JFB