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Epiphany Season · Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany · Year A

Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12)

The Fast That God Chooses

February 8, 2026

The Seven Works of Mercy: Feeding the Hungry, Master of Alkmaar
The Seven Works of Mercy: Feeding the Hungry, Master of Alkmaar, 1504Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
From a set of seven panels made for a Dutch church, each showing one work being done in a town street. Christ stands in every panel, unnoticed among the crowd.Is not this the fast that I choose: to share your bread with the hungry? The reading asks for it, and the panel shows it being done.Master of AlkmaarAn unidentified painter working in the northern Netherlands around 1500, named after this altarpiece. Several candidates have been proposed and none has stuck.Rijksmuseum, AmsterdamThe Netherlands' national museum, built around the Dutch Golden Age and reopened in 2013 after a ten-year rebuilding.Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelMatt. 5:13-20Mt 5:13-20
Epistle1 Cor. 2:1-12 (13-16)1 Cor 2:1-12 (13-16)
Old TestamentIsa. 58:1-9a (9b-12)Is 58:1-9a (9b-12)
PsalterPs. 112:1-9 (10)Ps 112:1-9 (10)

Overview & Insights

"Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice... ?" (Isaiah 58:6)

The prophet confronts a people who fast and complain that God does not notice, and reframes true fasting as justice done toward the oppressed, the hungry, and the homeless. God promises that this kind of fast brings healing, light, and answered prayer.

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Take it further: Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12)

Commentary

Isaiah 58:1-9 CommentariesIs 58:1-9 Commentaries BibleHub

Collects classic commentaries on the prophet's critique of empty ritual fasting.

Commentary on Isaiah 58:1-9a [9b-12]Commentary on Is 58:1-9a [9b-12] Working Preacher

The RCL preaching commentary on this exact pericope for Year A.

Isaiah 58:1-9a, (9b-12) CommentaryIs 58:1-9a, (9b-12) Commentary CEP

A preaching-focused reading of the fast God actually wants.

Isaiah 58 CommentaryIs 58 Commentary Enduring Word

A pastoral walk through the whole chapter's contrast of false and true worship.

Isaiah 58 - Gill's ExpositionIs 58 - Gill's Exposition StudyLight

Gill's older verse-by-verse exposition for further historic detail.

Background & Word Study

Isaiah 58:1-9 InterlinearIs 58:1-9 Interlinear BibleHub

Shows the Hebrew text word by word for the fasting oracle.

Book of Isaiah Overview (Part 1)Book of Is Overview (Part 1) BibleProject

An animated overview covering the first half of Isaiah, where this reading falls.

Isaiah 58 in Hebrew and EnglishIs 58 in Hebrew and English Sefaria

The original Hebrew text alongside an English translation for direct comparison.

The Church Fathers

Isaiah 58Is 58 Catena

Verse-by-verse comment from the Fathers on Isaiah 58.

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