Bible Questions and Answers

What does "this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing" mean in Luke 4:21?

Luke 4:17-21 And He (Jesus) was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: 18  "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; 19  To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD." 20  Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21  And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

Jesus is reading from Isaiah chapter 61 which foretells Jesus’ preaching the Gospel – the good news - whereby men and women can be released from the 'prison' of sin and death, and the ills and misery associated with it.

Isaiah 61:1,2 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD

We all sin and are consequently destined for eternal death. God, in his mercy, fathered a Son, Jesus, who would live a sinless life and give it in sacrifice to make atonement for the sins of those who would believe and obey the Gospel that he preached. God’s Holy Spirit was given to Jesus following his baptism.

This prophecy was being fulfilled in their hearing in that Jesus was preaching the Gospel to them. There is a similar prophecy concerning Jesus Christ in Isaiah 42.

Isaiah 42:1-6 Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. 2 He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, Nor cause His voice to be heard in the street. 3 A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth. 4 He will not fail nor be discouraged, Till He has established justice in the earth; And the coastlands shall wait for His law. 5 Thus says God the LORD, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, Who gives breath to the people on it, And spirit to those who walk on it: 6 I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness, And will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the Gentiles, 7 To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the prison, Those who sit in darkness from the prison house.

I hope you find this helpful.

God bless,
Glenn