Isaiah 61:1 - Exposition

The 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 was stated that God had "put his Spirit upon him" ( Isaiah 42:1 ). The sanctification of our Lord's human nature by the Holy Spirit is very explicitly taught in the Gospels. The Lord hath anointed me . The "anointing" of Jesus was that sanctification of his human nature by the Holy Spirit, which commenced in the womb of the blessed Virgin ( Luke 1:35 ), which continued as he grew to manhood ( Luke 2:40 , Luke 2:52 ), which was openly manifested at his baptism, and never ceased till he took his body and soul with him into heaven. Of this spiritual anointing, all material unction, whether under the Law (Le Isaiah 8:10-12 , 30; 1 Samuel 10:1 ; 1 Samuel 16:13 ; 1 Kings 1:39 ; 1 Kings 19:15 , 1 Kings 19:16 , etc.) or under the gospel ( Mark 6:13 ; James 5:14 ), was symbolical or typical. To preach good tidings (comp. Isaiah 40:9 ; Isaiah 41:27 ; Isaiah 52:7 ; and Nahum 1:15 ). Unto the meek (see Matthew 5:5 ; Matthew 11:29 ; and comp. Isaiah 11:4 ; Isaiah 29:19 ). To bind up the broken-hearted . "Binding up" is an ordinary expression in Isaiah's writings for "healing" (see Isaiah 1:6 ; Isaiah 3:7 ; Isaiah 30:26 ). To proclaim liberty to the captives. This was one of the special offices of "the Servant" (see Isaiah 42:7 ). The "captivity'' intended is doubtless that of sin. And the opening of the prison to them that are bound . St. Luke, following the Septuagint, has, "and recovering of sight to the blind." It is thought by some that the original Hebrew text has been corrupted. Others regard the Septuagint rendering as a paraphrase.