Epiphany Season · Epiphany of the Lord · Year B
Isaiah 60:1-6
The Glory of Zion
January 6, 2027
Overview & Insights
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1)
In the two great central sections of chapters 56–66 (59:21–60:22 and 61:1–62:12), Yahweh addresses both the prophet and the city. In the first section, the address to the prophet comes in 59:21, while the address to the city occupies the whole of chapter 60. Admittedly Zion/Jerusalem is not named until 60:14, but the verb arise (60:1) repeats the exhortation to Jerusalem in 51:17 (NIV “rise up”) and the verbs are feminine singular, which makes it clear enough that the prophet speaks to the city (cf. 59:20). The prophet takes up the exhortation and the promises in chapters 49–54 and once again re-expresses them in yet more glorious technicolor for people who evidently are back in Jerusalem but have not seen those promises fulfilled in their glory. They thus presuppose a similar situation to the prophecies of Haggai and Zechariah.
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Commentary
Commentary on Isaiah 60:1-6 - Working Preacher Working Preacher
Luther Seminary commentary on Zion's rising light, the Epiphany first reading.
Isaiah 60:1-6 - Center for Excellence in Preaching Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed commentary on Arise, shine and the nations streaming to the light.
Enduring Word Bible Commentary Isaiah Chapter 60 Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse study of Isaiah 60 and the glory of the restored Zion.
Isaiah 60:1 Commentaries BibleHub
Collected classic commentaries on Isaiah 60.
The Epiphany of the Lord (Year B) Catholic Productions · Brant Pitre
Dr. Brant Pitre reads Isaiah 60 as the Epiphany first reading foretelling the nations' gifts.
Background & Word Study
Isaiah 60 - Sefaria Sefaria
Hebrew text of Isaiah 60 with English and traditional Jewish commentary.
Isaiah 60:1 Interlinear BibleHub
Hebrew interlinear with parsing for Isaiah 60:1-6.
Isaiah 40-66 Overview - BibleProject BibleProject
Animated overview of Isaiah 40-66, where the vision of Zion's light unfolds.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
Why is Isaiah 60 the Epiphany reading?
As darkness covers the earth, the light of God dawns over Zion, and nations and kings come to its brightness bearing gold and frankincense, fulfilled when the Magi seek the newborn King.
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