Luke 4:19
What does Luke 4:19 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 4:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 4:19 means
Verse 19 continues the Isaiah citation, mentioning proclamation of 'the acceptable year of the Lord.' This phrase refers to a time of God’s favor and redemption—jubilee imagery of release from bondage and restoration. Jesus claims his ministry inaugurates such a period, indicating that the kingdom’s arrival brings forgiveness, restoration, and renewal. The phrase promises grace and a new era of God’s mercy. By associating his work with this jubilee-like favor, Jesus announces transformative hope for individuals and society through God’s redemptive action in him.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.
KJV
King James Version · 1611To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949To give knowledge that the year of the Lord's good pleasure is come.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752To preach deliverance to the captives and sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of reward.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890to preach [the] acceptable year of [the] Lord.
Context
This concluding line of the Isaiah quotation completes the manifesto Jesus reads in the Nazareth synagogue. It follows the list of restorative acts and precedes Jesus closing the scroll and speaking. The verse prepares the startling claim that follows: Jesus will announce this prophecy’s fulfillment. The flow emphasizes that his mission isn’t merely social reform or prophetic rhetoric, but the inauguration of God’s favorable, restorative kingdom through his person and work.
v.18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, Because he anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor: He hath sent me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovering of sight to the blind, To set at liberty them that are bruised,
v.19This passage
v.20And he closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down: and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Leviticus 25:50
And he shall reckon with him that bought him from the year that he sold himself to him unto the year of jubilee: and the price of his sale shall be according unto the number of years; according to the time of a hired servant shall he be with him.
- 2 Corinthians 6:1
And working together with him we entreat also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain
- Leviticus 25:8
And thou shalt number seven sabbaths of years unto thee, seven times seven years; and there shall be unto thee the days of seven sabbaths of years, even forty and nine years.
- Isaiah 61:2
to proclaim the year of Jehovah’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
- Luke 19:42
saying, If thou hadst known in this day, even thou, the things which belong unto peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
- Isaiah 63:4
For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.
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