Isaiah 61:1 kjv
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
Isaiah 61:1 nkjv
"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
Isaiah 61:1 niv
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
Isaiah 61:1 esv
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
Isaiah 61:1 nlt
The 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.
Isaiah 61 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 42:1 | Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights | OT prophetic fulfillment |
| Luke 4:18 | "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me..." | NT fulfillment, Jesus reads this passage |
| Acts 10:38 | how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power... | NT explanation of anointing |
| John 3:34 | For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure | NT illustration of divine gifting |
| Romans 8:9 | if the Spirit of God dwells in you. ... the Spirit of God dwells in you | NT indwelling of the Spirit for believers |
| 1 Cor 2:10 | But God revealed to us through the Spirit... | NT divine revelation through the Spirit |
| 1 Cor 12:7 | to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good | NT diversity of spiritual gifts |
| 2 Cor 3:17-18 | Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom | NT freedom and transformation through the Spirit |
| Gal 3:2-5 | Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? | NT Spirit received through faith |
| Eph 1:3 | blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places | NT spiritual blessings are rooted in Christ |
| Eph 3:16 | that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened in inner being with power through his Spirit | NT strength through the indwelling Spirit |
| Phil 2:1 | If there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit | NT fellowship and encouragement in the Spirit |
| 1 Thess 1:5 | for our gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction... | NT power of the Gospel evidenced by the Spirit |
| Heb 1:1-2 | ...at the end of these days he has spoken to us by his Son... | NT Christ as the ultimate messenger of God |
| Heb 4:12 | For the word of God is living and active... | NT the power of God's word |
| 1 Pet 4:11 | whoever speaks, as one speaks oracles of God! whoever serves, as one serves with the strength that God supplies! | NT believers ministering with God's power |
| 1 John 4:13 | By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit | NT evidence of belonging to Christ |
| Rev 1:10 | I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day... | NT manifestations of the Spirit |
| Zech 4:6 | ...‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts. | OT reiteration of Spirit's sufficiency |
| Joel 2:28-29 | and afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh... | OT prophecy of widespread outpouring of the Spirit |
| Matt 3:16 | and when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove... | NT Jesus' baptism and the Spirit's descent |
| John 1:16 | For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. | NT reception of grace through Christ's fullness |
Isaiah 61 verses
Isaiah 61 1 Meaning
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me. This signifies a divine empowerment and authorization. The one speaking, who is identified later in the chapter, is commissioned by God for a specific purpose. It indicates a direct and intimate relationship with God, enabling them to carry out God's will. This isn't a temporary endowment but a settled presence of divine enablement.
Isaiah 61 1 Context
This verse is the opening statement of Isaiah chapter 61, a passage often referred to as a messianic prophecy. The prophet Isaiah is relaying a message, seemingly from his own perspective as an inspired prophet, but it is profoundly fulfilled in Jesus Christ in the New Testament. The immediate context for Isaiah is the exilic period for Israel, offering hope and restoration. However, the deeper context, particularly highlighted by Jesus' own reading of this passage (Luke 4:18-19), points to the spiritual mission of the Messiah. The speaker, filled with the Spirit, is sent to proclaim good news and comfort to those who are suffering and oppressed.
Isaiah 61 1 Word Analysis
The (ha): The definite article, specifying "Spirit."
Spirit (ruach): Hebrew word for "spirit," "wind," or "breath." It signifies life, energy, and the invisible force of God. In this context, it's God's divine power and presence.
of the Lord (Adonai): Hebrew for "Lord," a title of sovereignty and master. Emphasizes ownership and authority.
GOD (Elohim): Hebrew word for "God," the general term for Deity. Used here with "Lord" (Adonai) for emphasis on God's supreme power and personhood.
is upon me (al-ai): Literally "upon me" or "on me." Indicates the presence, power, and authority resting directly on the speaker. It's an empowerment for a task.
Word Group: "The Spirit of the Lord GOD": This phrase, 'ruach Adonai Elohim', is a powerful declaration of divine empowerment. It's not just any spirit, but the very Spirit belonging to the Lord God. This points to the unique and absolute authority and power inherent in God's own being being transferred or manifest in the speaker.
Word Group: "is upon me": This signifies divine delegation and active involvement. The Spirit's presence isn't passive; it is active and purposeful, equipping and sending the speaker for a divine mission.
Isaiah 61 1 Bonus Section
The "Spirit of the Lord" is a key concept in both Old and New Testaments, consistently linked to divine empowerment, inspiration, and presence for God's work. This verse in Isaiah 61 is foundational to understanding prophetic ministry and messianic identity. Its quotation by Jesus in the synagogue at Nazareth (Luke 4:16-21) marks His public declaration of His messianic mission, proclaiming that the promises of this chapter were being fulfilled in Him at that very moment. This anointing is what enables Him to "bind up the brokenhearted," "proclaim liberty to the captives," and "comfort all who mourn."
Isaiah 61 1 Commentary
This opening verse establishes the source and nature of the authority for the ministry that follows. The speaker is not acting out of personal volition or human wisdom, but is divinely empowered by the very Spirit of the Triune God. This sets the stage for a message of liberation and restoration. The anointing described here is specific, equipping the speaker to fulfill God's redemptive purposes. This mirrors the New Testament's understanding of Jesus' ministry, who directly quoted this verse to describe His own mission. It also serves as a model for all believers, as the Spirit is given to those who are in Christ.