Sincerely Mark.

Great commentary. The fact of the proclamation of the year of Jubilee is often forgotten or glossed over. This is one of my favourite passages from scripture.

It's like a treasure, where when you start to clear off the dust and grime, you begin to see the depth, beauty and value of what Jesus said at the synagogue, as well as its revolutionary nature (but not in the political sense that many expected).

There are a couple of other things to add. In referring to Is 61:1-2, Jesus omits the clause about 'the day of vengeance'. Since his hearers were expecting him to fulfil a revolutionary messianic role, this omission is significant. It's not the message the hearers want - they want to see vengeance on their enemies, the Romans overthrown, their independent power restored. Furthermore, whilst Is 61 was often read as being about favour to Israel, there is nothing in Jesus' reading of it to indicate that it is purely for Israel - he is starting to break down the barriers between Jew and Gentile - and continues to do so later when he refers to the Widow of Zarephath and Naaman the Syrian. The passage is utterly profound, Jesus is proclaiming a new time, a new reign, a new Kingdom - so often we miss the depth of what he says because we don't know the Jewish culture, history and expectations of his day, but when we start to get under it, even just a little it's utterly mind-blowing!