to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;
English Standard Version (ESV)
While we often think of Jesus bringing comfort, this passage reveals he also proclaims a "day of vengeance." This isn't a contradiction, but a profound truth: liberation for the oppressed often requires justice and reckoning for the oppressors. The "acceptable year" of grace and the "day of vengeance" are presented side-by-side, showing the comprehensive nature of God's redemptive work.
to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage flows directly from the declaration that God's Spirit has been poured out on a chosen servant. That servant is commissioned not just to deliver good news, but to actively proclaim a time of God's favor, contrasting it with a swift day of divine justice against enemies. The prophet's mission also involves bringing comfort to those who are grieving, setting the stage for a transformation from sorrow to joy.
Have you ever felt like you just needed a fresh start, a season where everything changes for the better? That's the heart of this proclamation.
Isaiah announces 'the acceptable year of the LORD.' This phrase echoes the Old Testament concept of the Year of Jubilee, a time of liberation, release from debt, and restoration of property. It wasn't just a literal year but represented a divine season of grace where freedom and favor were openly declared.
This 'acceptable year' signifies a period where God is pleased to extend His goodwill and offer acceptance, not based on human merit, but on His sovereign good pleasure. It's the opportune time for turning to Him, a season of divine opportunity and reconciliation.
God's grace is boundless, but His justice is also real. How do these two seemingly opposite truths fit together?
The proclamation includes 'and the day of vengeance of our God.' This isn't a contradiction to God's favor; rather, it's the necessary counterpart. Vengeance here speaks to God's righteous judgment against sin, oppression, and all that stands against His kingdom. It's the consequence for those who reject His grace and continue in rebellion.
This 'day of vengeance' highlights God's long-suffering. He patiently offers an 'acceptable year' before His judgment falls. This justice is ultimately directed against the forces of evil and the enemies of His people, ensuring that His ultimate purposes of redemption and restoration prevail.
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Life brings sorrow. Where do we find true, lasting comfort when our hearts are heavy?
The third part of the proclamation is 'to comfort all who mourn.' This speaks directly to the pain, loss, and sorrow that are part of the human experience. God's message through His servant is not just about liberation and judgment but also about profound, personal comfort.
This comfort is for those who mourn – whether for their sins, their sufferings, or the brokenness of the world. It's a divine assurance that God sees their grief and is actively intervening to bring healing and solace. This promise anticipates the ultimate comfort found in Christ, who is himself called the 'Comforter' and who wipes away every tear.
Understand the original words
ratson · Hebrew Noun
Refers to a time of God’s active grace, salvation, and restoration, echoing the Year of Jubilee where debts were forgiven and slaves were freed. It highlights God's merciful intervention in history.
naqam · Hebrew Noun
The righteous judgment of God against sin, rebellion, and injustice. It is not personal vindictiveness but the manifestation of God’s holiness and justice in defending His people and punishing evil.
This prophecy speaks to a profound longing for restoration after exile and oppression. The 'acceptable year' and 'day of vengeance' point to a complex divine plan of both liberation and judgment, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus's ministry and its ongoing implications for all who mourn and seek God's comfort.
c. 587 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
The Babylonians, under Nebuchadnezzar, conquer Jerusalem, destroying the Temple and exiling many of the Judean population. This marks a low point for the people of God, leading to widespread mourning and despair.
c. 539 BC
Edict of Cyrus
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon and issues a decree allowing exiled peoples, including the Jews, to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples. This signals a turning point from despair to hope.
c. 458 BC - 432 BC
Rebuilding and Return
Figures like Ezra and Nehemiah lead further waves of exiles back to Jerusalem, working to rebuild the Temple and the city walls, and to restore religious and social order. This period is marked by both renewed devotion and ongoing challenges.
c. 3rd Century BC
Greek Influence Grows
The region comes under Hellenistic influence after Alexander the Great's conquests, leading to cultural and political shifts that would shape Jewish life and identity in the centuries to come.
c. 167 BC - 160 BC
Maccabean Revolt
A Jewish revolt against the oppressive Seleucid Empire (a Hellenistic kingdom) breaks out, fighting for religious freedom and independence. This period of struggle and eventual victory highlights themes of divine vindication and God's deliverance.
c. 63 BC
Roman Conquest
Rome conquers Judea, ushering in a new era of occupation and political tension. The desire for a divine deliverer and a restoration of God's favor intensifies.
c. AD 28— this verse
Jesus Begins Public Ministry
Jesus of Nazareth begins his public ministry, proclaiming a message of good news, healing, and forgiveness. He directly quotes from Isaiah 61, identifying himself as the one sent to 'proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor.'
This passage directly quotes the first part of Isaiah 61:1 and the beginning of verse 2, showing how Jesus identified Himself with this very mission of proclaiming good news and freedom.
2 Corinthians 6:2Paul echoes Isaiah's proclamation of an 'acceptable time,' applying it to the present moment of salvation through Christ, highlighting the ongoing opportunity for God's favor.
Matthew 11:28-30Jesus invites the weary and burdened to come to Him for rest, directly fulfilling Isaiah's commission to comfort those who mourn and are oppressed.
Isaiah 34:8This verse provides context for the 'day of vengeance,' showing it's a divine judgment against God's enemies, a concept intrinsically linked to His people's deliverance.
Psalm 147:3This psalm speaks of God healing the brokenhearted and binding up their wounds, echoing the comforting aspect of Isaiah's prophecy and God's restorative nature.
cambridgeIsaiah 61:2: "To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;"
2 . the acceptable year of the Lord ] Rather, a year of Jehovah’s favour (ch. Isaiah 49:8 ); and so in the next line, a day of our God’s vengeance (cf. Isaiah 63:4 , ch. Isaiah 34:8 ). vengeance ] i.e. on the oppressors of Israel, perhaps also on the sinful members of the nation ( Isaiah 59:16 ff.). to comfort all that mourn ] Cf. ch. Isaiah 57:18 . The clause belongs prop…
pulpitIsaiah 61:2: "To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;"
Verse 2. - To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. An "acceptable year," or "year of acceptance," is a space of time during which God would be pleased to accept such as repented and turned to him. It is, of course, not intended to limit the space to a "year." The space is rather the term of our sojourn here below. The day of vengeance. The "day" of vengeance is contra…
While we often think of Jesus bringing comfort, this passage reveals he also proclaims a "day of vengeance." This isn't a contradiction, but a profound truth: liberation for the oppressed often requires justice and reckoning for the oppressors. The "acceptable year" of grace and the "day of vengeance" are presented side-by-side, showing the comprehensive nature of God's redemptive work.
This passage flows directly from the declaration that God's Spirit has been poured out on a chosen servant. That servant is commissioned not just to deliver good news, but to actively proclaim a time of God's favor, contrasting it with a swift day of divine justice against enemies. The prophet's mission also involves bringing comfort to those who are grieving, setting the stage for a transformation from sorrow to joy.
This passage flows directly from the declaration that God's Spirit has been poured out on a chosen servant. That servant is commissioned not just to deliver good news, but to actively proclaim a time of God's favor, contrasting it with a swift day of divine justice against enemies. The prophet's mission also involves bringing comfort to those who are grieving, setting the stage for a transformation from sorrow to joy.
"to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;" — While we often think of Jesus bringing comfort, this passage reveals he also proclaims a "day of vengeance." This isn't a contradiction, but a profound truth: liberation for the oppressed often requi…
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Last reviewed October 2026