The invitation to "buy" wine and milk without money highlights that these spiritual provisions are a divine gift, not something earned or purchased, directly challenging any notion that salvation can be acquired through human effort or merit. It emphasizes that God’s blessings are freely offered to all who genuinely desire them, regardless of their perceived worth or possessions.
“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage comes right after God's promises of restoration and blessing to His people, who have endured exile and hardship. The prophet shifts from describing future glories to issuing a direct, urgent invitation for everyone, regardless of their past or current state, to come and receive spiritual nourishment freely offered by God. This sets the stage for a message of radical inclusion and the abundant, unearned grace found in God's covenant.
Imagine standing in a bustling marketplace, hearing a loud call: 'Everyone who is thirsty, come!'. But what if you have no money? This verse throws open the doors.
A Thirst for More
Isaiah 55:1 begins with a powerful invitation: '“Come, everyone who thirsts...' This isn't just about physical thirst; it's a deep yearning, a spiritual ache for something more. The commentators agree: this 'thirst' signifies a sincere, active desire for God's grace and the blessings of the gospel. It’s the feeling that nothing in this world can truly satisfy you.
No Money, No Problem
But what if you feel you have nothing to offer? The verse immediately reassures: 'and he who has no money, come, buy and eat!' This is radical grace. It means that no matter your financial status, your perceived worthlessness, or even your past mistakes, you are welcome. The gifts offered are not earned; they are freely given. As Benson notes, 'even those who are most poor in the world, and those who are most worthless and wicked, if they do but thirst, shall be welcome.'
The prophet doesn't just offer a drink; he mentions water, wine, and milk. What do these everyday essentials represent in God's generous offer?
The Richness of God's Gifts
The passage lists 'waters,' 'wine,' and 'milk' as the provisions offered. These aren't meant to be taken literally. Instead, they symbolize the abundant, nourishing, and life-giving blessings found in God's kingdom and the gospel.
Ask a follow-up
A Feast Without Price
Crucially, all these provisions are offered 'without money and without price.' This emphasizes the freeness of God's grace. They cannot be earned through human effort or purchased with any earthly currency. Calvin highlights this, stating that 'buying' is a metaphor for procuring, but the 'price' is absent because God freely bestows these essential blessings.
Understand the original words
tsame' · Hebrew Adjective/Verb
The physical sensation of needing water, frequently used in Scripture as a metaphor for the deep spiritual longing of the human heart for God and His righteousness.
This invitation comes at a crucial moment when the people of God are in exile, feeling spiritually parched and materially destitute. Isaiah's message offers a radical new beginning, assuring them that God's provision is abundant, freely given, and available to all who thirst, even in their brokenness.
c. 597 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon deports King Jehoiachin and thousands of Judeans, including many skilled artisans and prophets like Ezekiel, to Babylon. This event marks a significant turning point in Judah's history, diminishing its political power.
c. 586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, ending the Davidic monarchy and leading to a second, larger deportation of Judeans to Babylon. This is a period of profound national crisis and exile.
c. 550 BC
Rise of Cyrus the Great
Cyrus the Great of Persia begins his conquests, eventually leading to the fall of the Babylonian Empire. His reign offers a glimmer of hope for the exiles.
539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon. The following year, he issues a decree allowing exiled peoples, including the Jews, to return to their homelands.
538 BC— this verse
Edict of Cyrus and First Return
Cyrus's decree permits the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. This marks the beginning of the return from exile, though many remained in Babylon.
c. 520-516 BC
Rebuilding of the Second Temple
Under the leadership of Zerubbabel and the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, the exiles who returned to Jerusalem complete the rebuilding of the Temple, a significant milestone in their restored community.
This passage directly echoes Isaiah 55:1, with Jesus crying out during the Feast of Tabernacles, inviting anyone who thirsts to come to Him and drink of living water.
Revelation 22:17This verse from Revelation is another clear parallel, stating 'The Spirit and the Bride say, 'Come.' And let the one who hears say, 'Come.' And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.'
Matthew 5:6Jesus' beatitude, 'Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied,' aligns with Isaiah's call to the thirsty and hungry, promising satisfaction.
Romans 3:23-24This passage explains the 'without money and without price' aspect of Isaiah's invitation, stating that all have sinned, but are justified freely by God's grace through redemption in Christ.
Proverbs 9:1-5Similar to Isaiah 55:1, this Proverbs passage describes Wisdom building her house, preparing a feast, and sending out servants to invite the simple, the foolish, and even those without sense to eat her provisions and drink her wine.
bensonIsaiah 55:1: "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price."
Isaiah 55:1 . Ho, every one — Not only Jews, but Gentiles; that thirsteth — For the grace of God, and the blessings of the gospel; that desires them sincerely and earnestly, is active and diligent in the pursuit of them, and cannot be satisfied without enjoying them; come ye to the waters — Where you may drink and be…
pulpitIsaiah 55:1: "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price."
Verses 1-7. - AN EXHORTATION TO SPIRITUALITY AND REPENTANCE. The prophet passes from the ideal to the actual, from the glorious future to the unsatisfactory present. The people are not ripe for the blessings of the Messianic kingdom - they do not sufficiently value them. Hence a tender exhortation is addressed to them…
The invitation to "buy" wine and milk without money highlights that these spiritual provisions are a divine gift, not something earned or purchased, directly challenging any notion that salvation can be acquired through human effort or merit. It emphasizes that God’s blessings are freely offered to all who genuinely desire them, regardless of their perceived worth or possessions.
This passage comes right after God's promises of restoration and blessing to His people, who have endured exile and hardship. The prophet shifts from describing future glories to issuing a direct, urgent invitation for everyone, regardless of their past or current state, to come and receive spiritual nourishment freely offered by God. This sets the stage for a message of radical inclusion and the abundant, unearned grace found in God's covenant.
This passage comes right after God's promises of restoration and blessing to His people, who have endured exile and hardship. The prophet shifts from describing future glories to issuing a direct, urgent invitation for everyone, regardless of their past or current state, to come and receive spiritual nourishment freely offered by God. This sets the stage for a message of radical inclusion and the abundant, unearned grace found in God's covenant.
"“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,…" — The invitation to "buy" wine and milk without money highlights that these spiritual provisions are a divine gift, not something earned or purchased, directly challenging any notion that salvation can…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
