Isaiah 61:1 Meaning and Explanation
“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;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →An anointed servant is sent with good news for the lowly, healing for broken hearts, and freedom for the imprisoned.
The Context of Isaiah 61:1
A passage near the close of Isaiah, spoken by an anointed servant of the Lord. Centuries later, in the synagogue at Nazareth, Jesus stood, opened the scroll to this very text, read it aloud, and said, 'This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears' (Luke 4:21).
What Does Isaiah 61:1 Mean?
The speaker is sent on an errand of mercy, and every person He is sent to is at the bottom: the meek, the brokenhearted, the captives, those bound in prison. To them comes 'good tidings,' good news. To broken hearts comes binding up, the gentle work of a physician wrapping a wound. To prisoners comes 'liberty' and an open door. The Spirit of the Lord rests on this servant, and He pours out everything He carries on exactly the people the world overlooks. This is what God's anointing is for.
When Jesus read these words in Nazareth and said they were fulfilled that day, He was telling the room who He is. He is the anointed One Isaiah saw, come to preach to the poor, mend the broken, and set captives free. Every wound He was sent to bind, He still binds; every prison door He was sent to open, He still opens. The good news reaches lowest, to the very ones who think no good news could be for them.
Isaiah 61:1 in the Original Language
mashach (מָשַׁח), 'anointed' -- to pour oil on, marking one set apart for God's work; the root behind the word Messiah.
How to Apply Isaiah 61:1 Today
If we are among the meek, the brokenhearted, or the bound, this verse names us as exactly the people God's anointed One was sent to reach. The good news, the healing, and the open prison door are meant for us. We can come to Christ as we are and receive what He was sent to bring.
Frequently Asked Questions About Isaiah 61:1
What does Isaiah 61:1 mean?
An anointed servant is sent with good news for the lowly, healing for broken hearts, and freedom for the imprisoned.
What is the context of Isaiah 61:1?
A passage near the close of Isaiah, spoken by an anointed servant of the Lord. Centuries later, in the synagogue at Nazareth, Jesus stood, opened the scroll to this very text, read it aloud, and said, 'This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears' (Luke 4:21).
How can I apply Isaiah 61:1 today?
If we are among the meek, the brokenhearted, or the bound, this verse names us as exactly the people God's anointed One was sent to reach. The good news, the healing, and the open prison door are meant for us. We can come to Christ as we are and receive what He was sent to bring.