Jesus and the Year of Jubilee
- Richard Lawrence
- May 13
- 7 min read
“THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME,BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR.HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES,AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND,TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED,
TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.”
– Luke 4:18-19
The gospel writer Luke tells us that Jesus quoted these words from Isaiah 61 at the very beginning of his ministry and in his hometown Synagogue in Nazareth. In reading these words I was aware that Jesus was fulfilling prophesy from Isaiah 61:1-2, but realized this was much more than just prophetic fulfillment. Phrases such as “release to the captives” and “set free those who are oppressed” brought to mind Yahweh’s command to Israel to celebrate a year of Jubilee every fifty years (Leviticus 25:8-55), yet the nation had failed to do so for its entire history. The celebration is observed by:
Jubilee marks a time of liberation and restoration for the Israelites.
During Jubilee land that was sold or lost is returned to its original owner.
Debts are forgiven, providing a fresh start for individuals and families.
It emphasizes social justice and economic equality within the community.
The Year of Jubilee is a reminder of God's sovereignty and provision for His people.
In this passage Jesus is announcing his ministry as fulfilling this “year of the Lord's favor,” bringing spiritual Jubilee to the nation. He is telling them that He is God’s liberation, a social and economic “reset” for the nation.
Let’s look at the five elements mentioned in the text above to get clarity on what each might look like in the life and ministry of Jesus.
HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR.
The word “poor” is πτωχός (ptōchos). Thayers Greek Lexicon says that it means “to be thoroughly frightened, to cower down or hide oneself for fear; hence, πτωχός properly, one who slinks and crouches), often involving the idea of roving about in wretchedness”[1]
Examples of Jesus serving as Israel’s Jubilee can be seen in the following passages:
Luke 6:20 - And turning His gaze toward His disciples, He began to say, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
Luke 7:22 - “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: … the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM
Luke 14:13 - “But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,
Luke 14:21 - ‘Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the city and bring in here the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’
Luke 16:20, 22 - “And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, …poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried.
HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES,
This specific word “captives” is αἰχμάλωτος (aichmalōtos) only occurs in this verse in the New Testament and refers to “a prisoner of war”[2]. Metaphorically it could refer to people held in bondage by sin, spiritual oppression, or the consequences of the fall, whom Jesus came to set free.
Examples of Jesus serving as Israel’s Jubilee can be seen in the following passages:
Luke 4:31-37 - After evading the crowd in Nazareth Jesus travels to Capernaum and heals the man with unclean demon.
Luke 5:17-26 - Paralytic lowered through roof for Jesus to heal. “Friend, your sins are forgiven you.” (vs 20).
Luke 6:6-11 – Jesus heals the man with the withered hand and asks the scribes and Pharisees “… is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good, or to do evil, to save a life, or to destroy it” (vs. 9)
Luke 6:19 – “And all the multitude were trying to touch Him, for power was coming from Him and healing them all.”
Luke 7:1-10 – Jesus heals Centurian’s slave from a distance.
Luke 7:11-17 – Jesus restores widows only son to life
Luke 7:18-23 – Disciples of John sent to ask Jesus, “Are you the one who is coming, or do we look for someone else?” Jesus answers “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM.”
Luke 8:26-39 – Jesus casts out the “Legion” of demons from a man.
Luke 9:37-43 – Jesus casts out demon from boy.
Luke 11:14-26 – Jesus casts out a demon and explains how demon possession comes about.
Luke 13:10-13 – Jesus heals a woman bent double for 18 years. Synagogue officials are indignant that He heals on Sabbath.
Luke 14:1-6 – Jesus heals man with dropsy. Barnes Notes on the Bible points out this “…disease produced by the accumulation of water in various parts of the body; very distressing, and commonly incurable.”[3]
AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND,
The word “blind” is τυφλός (toof-los') and refers to “opaque (as if smoky), i.e. (by analogy) blind (physically or mentally):—blind.”[4]
Examples of Jesus serving as Israel’s Jubilee can be seen in the following passages:
Luke 7:22 - “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT,
Luke 6:19 – “And all the multitude were trying to touch Him, for power was coming from Him and healing them all.”
Luke 14:13 – “But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,
Luke 14:21 – ‘Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the city and bring in here the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’
Luke 19:35-43 – Jesus stops to engage blind man who calls out and Jesus gives him his sight.
Luke 24:13-35 – Disciples on Emmaus road encounter Jesus but do not recognize Him. After reminding them that all of Torah and the prophets spoke of Him we read “And their eyes were opened and they recognized him.” (vs 31)
TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED,
The word “oppressed” is θραύω (thrauō) and means to “to crush:—bruise. It can also carry the thoughts of “to break, break in pieces, shatter, smite through, broken by calamity” [5] I don’t think it is too much of a stretch to add the term “traumatized” to this definition.
Examples of Jesus serving as Israel’s Jubilee can be seen in the following passages:
Luke 4:31-37 - Man with unclean demon healed.
Luke 4:41 – Demons also were coming out of many, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But rebuking them, He would not allow them to speak, because they knew Him to be the Christ.
Luke 6:19 – “And all the multitude were trying to touch Him, for power was coming from Him and healing them all.”
Luke 8:26 - 39 – Jesus casts out the “Legion” of demons from a man.
Luke 8:43 - 48 – While on the way to heal Jairus’ daughter a woman with a 12 year long hemorrhage touches Jesus and experiences healing.
Luke 9:37 - 43 – Jesus casts out demon from boy.
Luke 13:10 - 13 – Jesus heals a woman bent double for 18 years. Synagogue officials are indignant that He heals on Sabbath.
Luke 17:11-19 – Jesus heals 10 men with leprosy.
TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.
As mentioned earlier it refers to the Year of Jubilee which was celebrated every 50th year. I would strongly advise taking the time to read Leviticus 25:8-55 for a better contextual understanding of this event which in spite of it being a part of their Covenant with Yahweh, they never celebrated.
Examples of Jesus serving as Israel’s Jubilee can be seen in the following passages:
Luke 6:1-5 – Disciples gleaning and eating wheat on Sabbath. Jesus defends their action and declares “The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.” (vs. 5).
Luke 7:36-50 – Jesus anointed by a sinful woman at a Pharisees house.Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.
“You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet.“You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume.
For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.”
Then He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.”
Luke 22:14-23 – At Last Supper Jesus declares that “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” (vs. 20) Jesus sets aside the covenant established with Israel and institutes the New Covenant spoken of by the prophet Jeremiah (31:31-34).
Luke is the only gospel writer to record this announcement which leads me to think that it was important to what he is going to put into his of the account of the ministry of Jesus. In reading through the entire book, it became obvious that every encounter Jesus had with people could be placed into one of these categories and that these categories provide the structural framework for understanding Luke’s gospel.
Viewing the gospel of Luke through the lens of the release of Jubilee adds a fresh perspective on the events recorded here. I hope this brief set of observations add to the joy you find in reading Luke’s gospel.
Notes:
[1] G4434 - ptōchos - Strong's Greek Lexicon (NASB95)
[2] G164 - aichmalōtos - Strong's Greek Lexicon (NASB95).
[4] G5185 - typhlos - Strong's Greek Lexicon (NASB95).
[5] G2352 - thrauō - Strong's Greek Lexicon (NASB95).
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