---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Isaiah 61"
description: "CHAPTER 61   :-. MESSIAH"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/isaiah/61"
---

CHAPTER 61

. MESSIAH'S
OFFICES: RESTORATION
OF ISRAEL.
Messiah announces His twofold
commission to bring gospel mercy at His first coming, and judgments
on unbelievers and comfort to Zion at His second coming (); the language can be applied to Isaiah, comforting by his
prophecies the exiles in Babylon, only in a subordinate sense.

**1. is upon me; because . . . hath
anointed me**—quoted by Jesus as His credentials in preaching (). The Spirit *is* upon Me in preaching, because
Jehovah *hath* anointed Me from the womb (), and at baptism, with the Spirit "without measure,"
and permanently "abiding" on Me ([Isaiah 11:2](../../../kjv/isaiah/11/2);
[John 1:32](../../../kjv/john/1/32); [John 3:34](../../../kjv/john/3/34);
[Psalms 45:7](../../../kjv/psalms/45/7); with which compare
[1 Kings 1:39](../../../kjv/1-kings/1/39); [1 Kings 1:40](../../../kjv/1-kings/1/40);
[1 Kings 19:16](../../../kjv/1-kings/19/16); [Exodus 29:7](../../../kjv/exodus/29/7)).
"Anointed" as *Messiah,* Prophet, Priest, and King.
**good tidings**—as the
word "gospel" means.
**the meek**—rather, "the
poor," as [Luke 4:18](../../../kjv/luke/4/18) has it;
that is, those afflicted with calamity, poor in circumstances and in
spirit ([Matthew 11:5](../../../kjv/matthew/11/5)).
**proclaim liberty**— ([Matthew 11:5](../../../kjv/matthew/11/5)). Language drawn from the deliverance of the Babylonian
captives, to describe the deliverance from sin and death ([Matthew 11:5](../../../kjv/matthew/11/5)); also from the "liberty proclaimed" to all
bond-servants in the year of jubilee ([Isaiah 61:2](../../../kjv/isaiah/61/2);
[Leviticus 25:10](../../../kjv/leviticus/25/10); [Jeremiah 34:8](../../../kjv/jeremiah/34/8);
[Jeremiah 34:9](../../../kjv/jeremiah/34/9)).
**opening of the prison**—The
*Hebrew* rather is, "the *most complete* opening,"
namely, of the *eyes* to them that are bound, that is,
deliverance from *prison,* for captives are as it were *blind*
in the darkness of prison ([Isaiah 14:17](../../../kjv/isaiah/14/17);
[Isaiah 35:5](../../../kjv/isaiah/35/5); [Isaiah 42:7](../../../kjv/isaiah/42/7))
[EWALD]. So [Isaiah 42:7](../../../kjv/isaiah/42/7) and the *Septuagint* interpret it; [Isaiah 42:7](../../../kjv/isaiah/42/7), under inspiration, adds to this, for the fuller explanation
of the *single* clause in the *Hebrew,* "to set at
liberty them that are bruised"; thus expressing the *double*
"opening" implied; namely, that of the eyes ([Isaiah 42:7](../../../kjv/isaiah/42/7)), and that of the prison ([Romans 6:18](../../../kjv/romans/6/18);
[Romans 7:24](../../../kjv/romans/7/24); [Romans 7:25](../../../kjv/romans/7/25);
[Hebrews 2:15](../../../kjv/hebrews/2/15)). His miracles were
*acted parables.*

**2. acceptable year**—the year of
jubilee on which "liberty was proclaimed to the captives"
([Isaiah 61:1](../../../kjv/isaiah/61/1); [2 Corinthians 6:2](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/6/2)).
**day of vengeance**—The
"acceptable time of grace" is a "year"; the time
of "vengeance" but "a day" (so [Isaiah 34:8](../../../kjv/isaiah/34/8);
[Isaiah 63:4](../../../kjv/isaiah/63/4); [Malachi 4:1](../../../kjv/malachi/4/1)).
Jesus ([Luke 4:20](../../../kjv/luke/4/20); [Luke 4:21](../../../kjv/luke/4/21))
"closed the book" before this clause; for the interval from
His first to His second coming is "the acceptable year";
the day of vengeance" will not be till He comes again ([Luke 4:21](../../../kjv/luke/4/21)).
**our God**—The saints call
Him "*our* God"; for He cometh to "avenge"
them ([Revelation 6:10](../../../kjv/revelation/6/10); [Revelation 19:2](../../../kjv/revelation/19/2)).
**all that mourn**—The
"all" seems to include the *spiritual* Israelite
mourners, as well as the *literal,* who are in [Revelation 19:2](../../../kjv/revelation/19/2) called "them that mourn *in Zion,*" and to
whom [Isaiah 57:18](../../../kjv/isaiah/57/18) refers.

**3. To appoint . . . to give**—The
double verb, with the one and the same accusative, imparts glowing
vehemence to the style.
**beauty for ashes**—There
is a play on the sound and meaning of the *Hebrew* words, *peer,
epher,* literally, "ornamental headdress" or *tiara*
([Ezekiel 24:17](../../../kjv/ezekiel/24/17)), worn in times of
joy, instead of a headdress of "ashes," cast on the head in
mourning ([2 Samuel 13:19](../../../kjv/2-samuel/13/19)).
**oil of joy**—Perfumed
ointment was poured on the guests at joyous feasts ([Psalms 23:5](../../../kjv/psalms/23/5);
[Psalms 45:7](../../../kjv/psalms/45/7); [Psalms 45:8](../../../kjv/psalms/45/8);
[Amos 6:6](../../../kjv/amos/6/6)). On occasions of grief
its use was laid aside ([2 Samuel 14:2](../../../kjv/2-samuel/14/2)).
**garment of
praise**—bright-colored garments, indicative of thankfulness,
instead of those that indicate despondency, as sackcloth ([2 Samuel 14:2](../../../kjv/2-samuel/14/2)).
**trees of
righteousness**—*Hebrew, terebinth* trees; symbolical of men
*strong* in righteousness, instead of being, as heretofore,
bowed down as a reed with sin and calamity ([Isaiah 1:29](../../../kjv/isaiah/1/29);
[Isaiah 1:30](../../../kjv/isaiah/1/30); [Isaiah 42:3](../../../kjv/isaiah/42/3);
[1 Kings 14:15](../../../kjv/1-kings/14/15); [Psalms 1:3](../../../kjv/psalms/1/3);
[Psalms 92:12-14](../../../kjv/psalms/92/12-14); [Jeremiah 17:8](../../../kjv/jeremiah/17/8)).
**planting of . . . Lord**—(See
on [Isaiah 61:6](../../../kjv/isaiah/61/6)).
**that he might be glorified**—
([John 15:8](../../../kjv/john/15/8)).

**4. old wastes**—Jerusalem and
the cities of Judah which long lay in ruins (see on ).

**5. stand**—shall wait on you as
servants ([Isaiah 14:1](../../../kjv/isaiah/14/1); [Isaiah 14:2](../../../kjv/isaiah/14/2);
[Isaiah 60:10](../../../kjv/isaiah/60/10)).

**6. But ye**—as contrasted with
the "strangers." *Ye* shall have no need to attend to
your flocks and lands: *strangers* will do that for you; *your*
exclusive business will be the service of Jehovah as His "priests"
([Exodus 19:6](../../../kjv/exodus/19/6), which remains yet to
be realized; compare as to the spiritual Israel, [Isaiah 66:21](../../../kjv/isaiah/66/21);
[1 Peter 2:5](../../../kjv/1-peter/2/5); [1 Peter 2:9](../../../kjv/1-peter/2/9);
[Revelation 1:6](../../../kjv/revelation/1/6); [Revelation 5:10](../../../kjv/revelation/5/10)).
**Ministers**— ([Revelation 5:10](../../../kjv/revelation/5/10)).
**eat . . . riches of . . .
Gentiles**— ([Revelation 5:10](../../../kjv/revelation/5/10)).
**in their glory . . . boast
yourselves**—rather, "in their splendor ye shall *be
substituted* in their stead"; ye shall substitute yourselves
[MAURER].

**7. double**—Instead of your past
share, ye shall have not merely as much, but "double" as
much reward ([Isaiah 40:2](../../../kjv/isaiah/40/2); [Zechariah 9:12](../../../kjv/zechariah/9/12);
compare the third clause in this verse).
**confusion**—rather,
"humiliation," or "contumely."
**rejoice**—They shall
*celebrate with jubilation* their portion [MAURER].
Transition from the second to the third person.
**in their land**—marking
the reference to literal Israel, not to the Church at large.
**everlasting joy**— ([Zechariah 9:12](../../../kjv/zechariah/9/12)).

**8. judgment**—justice, which
requires that I should restore My people, and give them double in
compensation for their sufferings.
**robbery for burnt
offering**—rather, from a different *Hebrew* root, *the
spoil of iniquity* [HORSLEY].
So in [Job 5:6](../../../kjv/job/5/6). Hating, as I do,
the *rapine,* combined *with iniquity,* perpetrated on My
people *by* their enemies, I will vindicate Israel.
**direct . . . work in
truth**—rather, "I will give them the *reward of their
work*" (compare [Isaiah 40:10](../../../kjv/isaiah/40/10),
*Margin;* [Isaiah 49:4](../../../kjv/isaiah/49/4),
*Margin;* [Isaiah 62:11](../../../kjv/isaiah/62/11),
*Margin*) in faithfulness.

**9. known**—honorably; shall be
*illustrious* ([Psalms 67:2](../../../kjv/psalms/67/2)).
**people**—rather,
"peoples."
**seed . . . blessed**—
([Isaiah 65:23](../../../kjv/isaiah/65/23)).

**10.** Zion () gives thanks for God's returning favor (compare [Luke 1:46](../../../kjv/luke/1/46);
[Luke 1:47](../../../kjv/luke/1/47); [Habakkuk 3:18](../../../kjv/habakkuk/3/18)).
**salvation . . .
righteousness**—inseparably connected together. The "robe"
is a loose mantle thrown over the other parts of the dress ([Psalms 132:9](../../../kjv/psalms/132/9);
[Psalms 132:16](../../../kjv/psalms/132/16); [Psalms 149:4](../../../kjv/psalms/149/4);
[Revelation 21:2](../../../kjv/revelation/21/2); [Revelation 19:8](../../../kjv/revelation/19/8)).
**decketh himself with
ornaments**—rather "maketh himself a *priestly headdress,*"
that is, a magnificent headdress, such as was worn by the high
priest, namely, a miter and a plate, or crown of gold worn in front
of it [AQUILA, c.]
appropriate to the "kingdom of priests," dedicated to the
offering of spiritual sacrifices to God continually ([Exodus 19:6](../../../kjv/exodus/19/6);
[Revelation 5:10](../../../kjv/revelation/5/10); [Revelation 20:6](../../../kjv/revelation/20/6)).
**jewels**—rather,
"ornaments" in general [BARNES].

**11.** ([Isaiah 45:8](../../../kjv/isaiah/45/8);
[Isaiah 55:10](../../../kjv/isaiah/55/10); [Isaiah 55:11](../../../kjv/isaiah/55/11);
[Psalms 72:3](../../../kjv/psalms/72/3); [Psalms 85:11](../../../kjv/psalms/85/11)).
**bud**—the tender shoots.
**praise**— ([Isaiah 60:18](../../../kjv/isaiah/60/18);
[Isaiah 62:7](../../../kjv/isaiah/62/7)).

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