These words find fulfilment in Jesus and He quotes them at the beginning of His ministry in the synagogue in Nazareth (see Luke 4 v16-21). In what is said here we learn so much about Jesus’ ministry.

The declaration of the Spirit of God upon Him (v1) points to His baptism when the Spirit came upon Him. Jesus’ ministry was never a solo expedition but He was sent by the Father to do the Father’s will and He was empowered by the Holy Spirit to achieve this.

Jesus has come to help those in need including the poor, the broken-hearted and the captives (v1). The year of the Lord’s favour speaks of the Old testament year of Jubilee when those who were enslaved due to poverty were set free and the land of the poor was returned to them. Jesus has come to bring freedom to all those in need and particularly to bring freedom from sin and its guilt.

Like in the previous chapter the focus moves on the restoration and blessing of Jerusalem.   There shall be joy to those in Zion who are mourning and the Lord will fill His people with righteousness which will be strong like a great oak tree (v3). The city will be rebuilt (v4) and the nations will farm on their behalf (v5).

Probably most significantly the people of Jerusalem will be known as priests and ministers of God (v6). Their glory is found in their relationship to the Lord and making His truth known to the nations.