Advent · Third Sunday in Advent · Year B
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
The Year of the Lord’s Favor
December 13, 2026
Overview & Insights
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.” (Isaiah 61:1)
Chapters 61 and 62 recapitulate much of chapter 60, but they do so in a new framework. They offer five responses to those promises. Whereas the prophet’s word was a brisk preliminary to Yahweh’s word in 59:21–60:22, in chapters 61–62 the prophet speaks a number of times in a way that has significance in its own right but also introduces recapitulations of the promises.
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Commentary
Commentary on Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 Working Preacher
Lutheran reading of the Spirit-anointed herald of good news and the year of the Lord's favor.
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed preaching notes calling this a great Advent text of release and restoration.
Enduring Word Bible Commentary Isaiah Chapter 61 Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse-by-verse study of the Messiah's mission and the garment of praise.
Isaiah 61 Commentary Precept Austin
Detailed verse-by-verse notes with Hebrew word studies and cross references.
Isaiah 61:1 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentators gathered on the Spirit of the Lord resting on the anointed one.
Background & Word Study
Isaiah 61 (Sefaria) Sefaria
Hebrew text with English and classical Jewish commentary on the chapter.
Isaiah 61:1 Interlinear BibleHub
Hebrew text with parsing and Strong's numbers for the anointing passage.
Isaiah (Enter the Bible) Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary background on the book's structure, setting, and major themes.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
Why does Isaiah 61 belong to Advent?
It is the anointed servant's mandate, good news to the poor, liberty to captives, the year of the Lord's favor, the very words Jesus reads of himself in the synagogue at Nazareth.
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