Ministry & MissionClear Fulfillment
Anointed by the Spirit
Written: ~700 BC→Fulfilled: ~AD 27
Jesus read Isaiah 61 in the Nazareth synagogue and declared, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
Prophecy & Fulfillment
Old Testament Prophecy
Isaiah 61:1-2
"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
New Testament Fulfillment
Luke 4:18-21
""The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down... He began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.""
Commentary
This is one of the most explicit self-identifications of Jesus as the fulfillment of messianic prophecy. Jesus read from Isaiah 61 and stopped mid-sentence before "the day of vengeance," indicating that his first coming fulfilled the year of favor, while the day of vengeance awaits his return.