Luke 4:18

Authorized King James Version

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,

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
Πνεῦμα
The Spirit
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
#2
κυρίου
of the Lord
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
#3
ἐπ'
is upon
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
#4
ἐμέ
me
me
#5
οὗ
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
#6
ἕνεκεν
because
on account of
#7
ἔχρισέν
he hath anointed
to smear or rub with oil, i.e., (by implication) to consecrate to an office or religious service
#8
με
me
me
#9
εὐαγγελίζεσθαι
to preach the gospel
to announce good news ("evangelize") especially the gospel
#10
πτωχοῖς
to the poor
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
#11
ἀποστεῖλαι
he hath sent
set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively
#12
με
me
me
#13
ἰὰσασθαι
to heal
to cure (literally or figuratively)
#14
τοὺς
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#15
συντετριμμένους
the brokenhearted
to crush completely, i.e., to shatter (literally or figuratively)
#16
τὴν
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#17
καρδίαν,
the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle
#18
κηρύξαι
to preach
to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel)
#19
αἰχμαλώτοις
to the captives
properly, a prisoner of war, i.e., (genitive case) a captive
#20
ἀφέσει
deliverance
freedom; (figuratively) pardon
#21
καὶ
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#22
τυφλοῖς
to the blind
opaque (as if smoky), i.e., (by analogy) blind (physically or mentally)
#23
ἀνάβλεψιν
recovering of sight
restoration of sight
#24
ἀποστεῖλαι
he hath sent
set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively
#25
τεθραυσμένους
them that are bruised
to crush
#26
ἐν
at
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#27
ἀφέσει
deliverance
freedom; (figuratively) pardon

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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