Isaiah 61:1-3, Mark 10:13-16, Psalm 146:5-9 NLT

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 61:1-3

THE MISSION OF THE SERVANT OF THE LORD . The words of our Lord in Luke 4:21 , "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... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 61:1-3

The purposes of Messiah's mission. We are not to suppose that the prophet unfolds to us in the present passage the whole purpose of God in sending his Son into the world. Such logical exactness is alien to the spirit of prophecy, and especially unsuited to the rhetorical tone which everywhere characterizes Isaiah. Still, as the subject is one of transcendent interest, and as our Lord himself cites the passage as descriptive of his mission, it may be useful to note how many, and what... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 61:1-9

Message of grace to Zion. I. THE ANOINTING OF THE MESSENGER . Under the Law, the priests were anointed ( Exodus 29:7 ; Le 7:36), and also the kings ( 1 Samuel 9:16 ; 1 Samuel 10:1 ; 1 Samuel 16:13 ). It was the sign of appointment to a high office or commission from God. Hence, by a figure, it is applied to the appointment of Elisha to the prophetic office ( 1 Kings 19:16 ), and to the designation of Cyrus as the instrument of the purpose of Jehovah. Similarly, in 1 John... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 61:1-12

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 61:2

To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord . An "acceptable year," or "year of acceptance," is a space of time during which God would be pleased to accept such as repented and turned to him. It is, of course, not intended to limit the space to a "year." The space is rather the term of our sojourn here below. The day of vengeance. The "day" of vengeance is contrasted with the "year" of acceptance, to indicate God's long-suffering and patience towards sinners (comp. Isaiah 34:8 ; and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 61:2

The year of acceptance and the day of vengeance. Very striking is the frequency with which this, and other prophets, set together the two sides of Messiah's work. Deliverance of those who trust him goes together with judgment on those who reject him. In a most impressive way the Old Testament canon closes with this dual aspect of Divine dealings, "For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble But unto you that fear... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 61:3

To appoint … to give . The latter expression is a correction of the former, which was not wide enough. Messiah is sent to give to the godly mourners read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 61:3

Comfort and cheer. "To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion," etc. There is a triple exchange spoken of in these words, which ought to quicken thought. I. CHARACTER . "Beauty for ashes." The penitent is uplifted from the dust. Instead of standing before God in sad confession, with all the stains of sin upon his heart and the liturgy of woe upon his lips, he has new life. The beauty of the Lord is given to him—there is transformation. II. EMOTION . "The oil of joy for mourning."... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 61:3

Christ our Comforter. We think of our Lord as of our Divine Friend; and there is no way in which any one can show himself so true a friend as in the time of trouble. Well says the old adage, "A friend in need is a friend indeed." I. OUR URGENT NEED OF HIS DIVINE SUCCOUR . "Them that mourn in Zion." In virtue of his relation to us as our Saviour, Jesus Christ delivers ,s from the power and bondage of sin, and so from the remorse which attends its presence and constitutes a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 61:3

God glorified in the joyous and the beautiful. "A garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness … that he might be glorified." The figures used arc drawn from Eastern customs and sentiments. The afflicted clothe themselves in sackcloth, sit in ashes, and throw dust on their heads. In gladness and feast-time men crown themselves with garlands or wreaths. In sickness men do not use oil at toilet; when restored to health they resume the oil... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 61:1-3

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 61:1-3

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 61:1-9

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 61:1-12

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 61:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 61:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 61:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 61:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 61:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 61:3

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