What does Luke 4:18 mean?

This verse records Jesus reciting a part of the prophet Isaiah. When first written, Scriptures did not have chapter or verse divisions. When Jesus "finds" this portion of Scripture, He locates the passage by memory. As was custom, Jesus stands to read the text, then sits to give His interpretation (Luke 4:16, 20). Despite this being His hometown synagogue, the experience will not go as well as it has in other towns (Luke 4:14–15).

In this part of Isaiah (Isaiah 61:1–2), the "Anointed One" is said to come bringing good news, healing, and liberation (Matthew 9:35; John 8:34–36). Jesus reads only what we would consider verse 1 of Isaiah chapter 61, along with the first sentence of what we consider verse 2. As soon as He sits, Jesus declares that the part of the prophecy He has just read is being fulfilled (Luke 4:21). Those aspects of Messiah's mission are the purpose of his "first advent," meaning His earthly ministry (Luke 9:2; John 3:16–18; Matthew 11:2–5). God's completed judgment will happen at Christ's "second advent," as part of the end times (Revelation 19:11–16).

The themes of this prophecy are clearly seen in Jesus' earthly ministry. He greatly emphasized His love for the poor and hurting (Matthew 5:3–12; Luke 14:13–14). He spoke of freedom from sin which only He could offer (John 10:10; Matthew 11:30). Only Jesus miraculously healed blindness (Matthew 12:22–23; Luke 18:35). Those oppressed by demons were rescued (Matthew 8:16).