Luke 4:19

Analysis & Commentary

To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. Jesus reads the final phrase of His Isaiah 61:1-2 quotation: kēruxai eniauton Kyriou dekton (κηρύξαι ἐνιαυτὸν Κυρίου δεκτόν, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor). The term eniauton (ἐνιαυτόν, year) combined with dekton (δεκτόν, acceptable/favorable) likely alludes to the Jubilee year (Leviticus 25:8-55)—every fiftieth year when debts were cancelled, slaves freed, and land returned to original owners. The acceptable year represents God's time of grace, mercy, and restoration.

Significantly, Jesus stops mid-sentence from Isaiah 61:2, omitting 'and the day of vengeance of our God.' His first advent proclaims grace; His second advent will execute judgment. The 'acceptable year' refers to the gospel age—the period between Christ's first and second comings when salvation is freely offered to all who repent and believe. This is the 'day of salvation' (2 Corinthians 6:2), the time when God's favor is extended to all who call upon Christ. When Jesus returns, the acceptable year ends and the day of vengeance begins (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10).

Historical Context

The Jubilee year functioned as comprehensive economic and social reset, embodying God's concern for justice, mercy, and restoration. It prevented permanent economic stratification by returning land to original families and releasing debt slaves. Most scholars believe Jubilee was rarely if ever fully observed in Israel's history, making it an eschatological hope pointing to Messiah's reign. Jesus claims to inaugurate the ultimate Jubilee—not merely economic but spiritual. He cancels sin's debt, liberates Satan's captives, and restores fallen humanity to relationship with God. His selective reading (ending before 'day of vengeance') indicated that His first coming emphasized salvation, not judgment. The Nazareth audience expected a conquering Messiah who would execute vengeance on Rome; Jesus offered spiritual liberation instead.

Questions for Reflection

• How does the Jubilee imagery illuminate what Christ's gospel accomplishes for believers?
• Why does Jesus stop reading before 'the day of vengeance,' and what does this teach about His two advents?
• What does the 'acceptable year of the Lord' teach about the current gospel age and the urgency of responding to Christ while grace is offered?