Luke 4:18
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Context
Jesus reads from the scroll of Isaiah in the synagogue at Nazareth at the beginning of His Galilean ministry, applying the prophet's words about the Spirit-anointed servant to Himself.
What Does Luke 4:18 Mean?
In these words Jesus announces the very purpose of His ministry, reading aloud from the prophet Isaiah in the synagogue at Nazareth. He declares that the Spirit of the Lord rests upon Him and that He has been anointed and sent by God to carry out a mission of rescue and restoration. This is, in effect, Jesus' opening statement about who He is and what He has come to do.
Each phrase names a kind of brokenness that Jesus came to heal. He preaches good news to the poor, those who have nothing and no standing. He heals the brokenhearted, those crushed by grief and despair. He proclaims deliverance to the captives and liberty to the bruised, freeing those held by bondage and oppression. He gives recovering of sight to the blind, restoring what was lost. These needs are physical and spiritual at once, for Jesus came to address the whole person. The word "anointed" is significant: it is the root meaning behind the title Messiah and Christ, the one set apart by God's Spirit for this saving work. By reading this passage and applying it to Himself, Jesus declares that the long-awaited day of God's favor has arrived. His mission is one of compassion, freedom, and good news -- and it continues to define what it means to follow Him.
In the Original Language
The verb echrisen (anointed) shares its root with Christos, the Christ; to be anointed is to be set apart by God for a mission. Aphesis (deliverance, liberty) means release or freedom.
Cross References
“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
“Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.”
- Luke 7:22
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
- Matthew 11:28
Application
Jesus came to bring freedom and healing to the broken; bring Him your own poverty, wounds, and bondage, and follow His pattern of compassion.
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