Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryIsaiah 61

The Office of the Messiah.This passage describes the mission and purpose of the Messiah, fulfilled by Jesus Christ. Jesus himself read these words in the synagogue at Nazareth and declared, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears (Luke 4:21 ). His mission was to bring hope, healing, and freedom to a broken world. Isaiah’s words here point to the blessings Jesus brought and continue to bring to those who follow him.v. 1: The Messiah is empowered by the Spirit of God for his mission. The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord

v. 2: The Messiah announces both salvation and judgment. He proclaims the acceptable year of the Lord

v. 3: The Messiah comforts those who mourn. He brings beauty for ashes, replacing sorrow with joy, and gives the oil of joy for mourning. He offers the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, lifting those who are burdened by trials and sin. Those who receive his comfort will grow like trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord

The Office of the Messiah; The Prosperity of the Church.This section contains promises for the Jews who returned from captivity, but these promises also apply to the church and all believers. Through God's grace, people are rescued from spiritual slavery and can experience the blessings described here. The passage outlines how God will restore, honor, and guide his people, not just physically but spiritually, and will bless their descendants as well.v. 4: God promises that the people’s houses and cities will be rebuilt. They shall build the old wastes . Even places that have been ruined for many generations will be restored. This is not only about physical buildings, but also about spiritual renewal. When Christianity spread, it repaired the loss of true religion and goodness in the world. A person without God is like a broken city, but Christ’s power can restore them and make them a place where God's Spirit lives.

v. 5: Those who were once servants will now have others, especially foreigners, do work for them. Strangers shall feed your flocks . When God’s people learn to care less about the world and focus on serving Him, their daily work will not distract them from God. Outsiders will help with their physical needs, while their hearts remain set on God.

v. 6: The people will not just be free; they will be given honor and important roles. They will be known as the priests of the Lord

v. 7: God’s people will have great comfort and happiness. They shall rejoice in their portion . After suffering, they will appreciate their freedom and blessings even more. This joy is not just temporary; it points to the everlasting joy believers will have with God in heaven. God will give them double honor for the shame they suffered. As Job received twice as much after his troubles, those who trust God will also be fully rewarded (Exodus 4:22; Isaiah 40:2 ).

v. 8: God promises to guide His people faithfully and keep His covenant with them. I will direct their work in truth . God loves justice and hates injustice, even if someone tries to cover it up with religious acts. He wants people to act honestly and kindly, not just perform rituals. God’s justice is a reason for the blessings and restoration He promises. If people do not act fairly, God Himself will defend those who are wronged. God’s true followers must remember that obedience is better than sacrifice (Matthew 23:23 ).

v. 9: God will bless the children of His people. Their seed shall be known among the Gentiles . Others will notice their good lives and God’s favor on them. This blessing is not just for their own sake, but so that everyone will see and praise God. The children of believers should live in a way that shows God is at work in their lives. All the good they do is a result of God's blessing, and He deserves the glory (Psalm 22:30 ).

The Prosperity of the Church.This passage is a joyful song celebrating God's goodness. Some think it is the prophet speaking for Jerusalem, while others see it as Christ speaking for the church. Both are true in some way. Here, we learn to rejoice with deep happiness for all that God has done. God’s salvation and righteousness bring real and lasting reasons for joy, not just for one moment, but for all time. The blessings God gives to His people are like beautiful clothes, making them glorious in His sight and before the world.v. 10: The writer says, I will greatly rejoice in the Lord

v. 11: These blessings are not just for a short time. As the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations (Isaiah 61:11 ). This means that God’s work will continue and grow, like plants growing every year. Even if there are hard times when the church seems weak, God’s blessings will return and flourish. Righteousness and praise will spread to many people and many places. The good things God does for His people will be seen by everyone, and they will bring honor to God everywhere.