COMMENTARY

Isaiah 61:1-4
God's servant is anointed by the Spirit to bring good news to the afflicted. Verses 1-3 constitute Jesus' text for his inaugural sermon at Nazareth. The passage is the work of an unknown author of the sixth century B.C. when the Babylonian exiles returned to Jerusalem to find their city and temple in ruins. The Holy Spirit anoints the servant who gives a message of liberty, comfort, and encouragement to the people.

Isaiah 42:1-7
God anointed his servant with the Spirit to bring justice.

Acts 8:14-17
Believers in Samaria receive the Holy Spirit upon the laying on of the hands of Peter and John. Philip made converts in Samaria by preaching the Gospel. Though they believed in Christ and were baptized, they did not receive the Holy Spirit. Hearing this the Jerusale…