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,
Original Language Analysis
Πνεῦμα
The Spirit
G4151
Πνεῦμα
The Spirit
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
1 of 27
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
κυρίου
of the Lord
G2962
κυρίου
of the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
2 of 27
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
ἐπ'
is upon
G1909
ἐπ'
is upon
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
3 of 27
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
οὗ
G3739
οὗ
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
5 of 27
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἔχρισέν
he hath anointed
G5548
ἔχρισέν
he hath anointed
Strong's:
G5548
Word #:
7 of 27
to smear or rub with oil, i.e., (by implication) to consecrate to an office or religious service
εὐαγγελίζεσθαι
to preach the gospel
G2097
εὐαγγελίζεσθαι
to preach the gospel
Strong's:
G2097
Word #:
9 of 27
to announce good news ("evangelize") especially the gospel
πτωχοῖς
to the poor
G4434
πτωχοῖς
to the poor
Strong's:
G4434
Word #:
10 of 27
akin to g4422 and the alternate of g4098); a beggar (as cringing), i.e., pauper (strictly denoting absolute or public mendicancy, although also used i
ἀποστεῖλαι
he hath sent
G649
ἀποστεῖλαι
he hath sent
Strong's:
G649
Word #:
11 of 27
set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
συντετριμμένους
the brokenhearted
G4937
συντετριμμένους
the brokenhearted
Strong's:
G4937
Word #:
15 of 27
to crush completely, i.e., to shatter (literally or figuratively)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καρδίαν,
G2588
καρδίαν,
Strong's:
G2588
Word #:
17 of 27
the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle
κηρύξαι
to preach
G2784
κηρύξαι
to preach
Strong's:
G2784
Word #:
18 of 27
to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel)
αἰχμαλώτοις
to the captives
G164
αἰχμαλώτοις
to the captives
Strong's:
G164
Word #:
19 of 27
properly, a prisoner of war, i.e., (genitive case) a captive
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
21 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τυφλοῖς
to the blind
G5185
τυφλοῖς
to the blind
Strong's:
G5185
Word #:
22 of 27
opaque (as if smoky), i.e., (by analogy) blind (physically or mentally)
ἀποστεῖλαι
he hath sent
G649
ἀποστεῖλαι
he hath sent
Strong's:
G649
Word #:
24 of 27
set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively
Cross References
Isaiah 61:1The 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;Matthew 11:5The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.Acts 10:38How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.Luke 7:22Then 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.Acts 26:18To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.Isaiah 42:7To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.John 12:46I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.1 Peter 2:9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:Colossians 1:13Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:Isaiah 32:3And the eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken.
Historical Context
Delivered in the Nazareth synagogue at the beginning of Jesus' Galilean ministry (around 27-28 AD), this programmatic statement announced His messianic mission to His hometown. Isaiah 61 was recognized as a messianic prophecy, and Jesus' claim to fulfill it would have been understood as a direct claim to messiahship, provoking both wonder and hostility.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus' mission to the marginalized challenge your understanding of what the gospel accomplishes?
- In what ways are you experiencing spiritual poverty, captivity, or blindness that requires Jesus' liberating work?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus quotes Isaiah 61:1-2, applying this messianic prophecy to Himself and defining His mission in terms of liberation for the oppressed. The Greek word 'euangelizō' (preach the gospel) encompasses both proclamation and the good news itself, demonstrating that the gospel brings concrete deliverance. Luke emphasizes Jesus' ministry to the marginalized—the poor, brokenhearted, captives, blind, and bruised—reflecting themes that permeate his entire Gospel. Notably, Jesus stops mid-sentence from Isaiah, omitting 'the day of vengeance,' reserving that aspect for His second coming.