The Bible — World English Bible
Isaiah 61
In brief
Isaiah 61 introduces a messenger anointed by the Spirit to bring good news, bind up the brokenhearted and set captives free. He promises a ruined people a garland instead of ashes, then calls them to rebuild the ruins and to become a witness before the nations. Jesus read the first verses at Nazareth and said they were being fulfilled in him. The chapter ends with a song of joy: the one clothed with salvation rejoices in his God.
The chapter in 4 parts
1The Lord Yahweh’s Spirit is on me, because Yahweh has anointed me to preach good news to the humble. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to those who are bound,
2to proclaim the year of Yahweh’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,
3to provide for those who mourn in Zion, to give to them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of Yahweh, that he may be glorified.
4They will rebuild the old ruins. They will raise up the former devastated places. They will repair the ruined cities that have been devastated for many generations.
5Strangers will stand and feed your flocks. Foreigners will work your fields and your vineyards.
6But you will be called Yahweh’s priests. Men will call you the servants of our God. You will eat the wealth of the nations. You will boast in their glory.
7Instead of your shame you will have double. Instead of dishonor, they will rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they will possess double. Everlasting joy will be to them.
8“For I, Yahweh, love justice. I hate robbery and iniquity. I will give them their reward in truth and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
9Their offspring will be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge them, that they are the offspring which Yahweh has blessed.”
10I will greatly rejoice in Yahweh! My soul will be joyful in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation. He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11For as the earth produces its bud, and as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring up, so the Lord Yahweh will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.
Key verses
The Lord Yahweh’s Spirit is on me, because Yahweh has anointed me to preach good news to the humble. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to those who are bound,
The opening verse describes the messenger's mission: to bring good news to the humble, bind up the brokenhearted and proclaim liberty to the captives. This is the passage Jesus read at Nazareth and applied to himself.
to proclaim the year of Yahweh’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,
A year of favor and a day of vengeance go together: when God establishes his grace, he also sets things right. At Nazareth, Jesus stops after the mention of the year of favor, and many Christians see two stages here, his first coming and then his return.
to provide for those who mourn in Zion, to give to them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of Yahweh, that he may be glorified.
The picture of the great exchange: a garland replaces the ashes, the oil of joy replaces mourning, the garment of praise replaces the spirit of heaviness. Those who grieved become strong trees, planted by God for his glory.
They will rebuild the old ruins. They will raise up the former devastated places. They will repair the ruined cities that have been devastated for many generations.
Comfort has a sequel: those whom God lifts up are called to rebuild. The old ruins and devastated cities become the work site of those who have been restored.
I will greatly rejoice in Yahweh! My soul will be joyful in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation. He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
The chapter ends with a response of joy. Salvation is pictured as a garment given by God, which we receive without having made it ourselves.
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Frequently asked questions about Isaiah 61
What does Isaiah 61:1 mean?
The verse describes a messenger on whom the Spirit of God rests and who is anointed to bring good news to the humble, bind up the brokenhearted and proclaim freedom to the captives. In the exile, it was a promise of deliverance for the people. Jesus read this passage in the synagogue at Nazareth and said it was being fulfilled that day, which makes him the messenger who was announced.
What does a garland instead of ashes mean?
In the Bible, ashes are a sign of mourning and humiliation. A garland, on the other hand, is the adornment of festival days. Verse 3 promises a complete reversal: where there was pain, God gives joy, praise and a place of honor. It is not an illusion that denies suffering, it is the promise that God does not leave his people in the ashes.
What is the main message of Isaiah 61?
God sends a deliverer anointed by the Spirit to comfort, heal and restore his people. Those he lifts up do not stay spectators: they rebuild the ruins, are called servants of God and become a witness to the nations. The chapter ends with the joy of the one who receives salvation like a garment.
Articles quoting Isaiah 61
- 20 Bible Verses After an Earthquake or Disaster: Taking Refuge in God
- 20 Bible Verses About Justice
- Judges 6: Gideon, Mighty Man of Valor Despite His Labels
- Genesis 38: God Uses Imperfect People for a Perfect Plan
- John 1: Jesus Is the Christ, God's Anointed One
- Revelation 3: Which Table Are You Sitting At?
World English Bible translation — public domain.