The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 4:18
The poor and the gospel. A most significant fact that the first work of the Messiah should be his "preaching the gospel to the poor." What is the significance of it? I. BY THE POOR DIVINE TRUTH IS MOST NEEDED . Their life on earth is the hardest; it is often one of unremitting toil ; often one of severe privation , almost destitute comfort and enjoyment; often one of serious and hard oppression , in which the strong will of another robs of all liberty of action.... read more
The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 4:18
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me . St. Luke here quotes, with a few important variations, from the LXX . of Isaiah 61:1 , Isaiah 61:2 . The clause, "to set at liberty them that are bruised," does not occur the present text of Isaiah. The bright, comforting words of the great prophet the Lord chose as giving a general summary of what he designed to carry out in his ministry. It could be no undesigned coincidence that the opening words of the passage contain a singularly clear mention... read more