Answer
In a visit to a synagogue, Jesus reads from the scroll of Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor” (Luke 4:18; cf. Isaiah 61:1). At this time, Jesus announces the beginning of His public ministry and reveals His purpose as the Messiah. Jesus’ mission is to “proclaim good news to the poor.” However, the term poor here is not merely referring to those lacking material wealth. Jesus’ message primarily addresses those who are spiritually poor, the “poor in spirit,” who recognize their need for God.
The idea of being poor in spirit goes beyond economic deprivation to describe a state of humility and openness to God’s grace. In Matthew 5:3, Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” This beatitude clarifies that the “poor” who are particularly blessed in God’s kingdom are those who recognize their spiritual poverty. They understand their need for God’s grace in their lives and are not self-sufficient or prideful; instead, they are humble, knowing they cannot achieve righteousness or salvation on their own.
Spiritual poverty relates to humility, a heart posture acknowledging one’s dependency on God. In the Old Testament, there are numerous examples of people who are poor in spirit, seeking God’s mercy and relying on His grace. For instance, in Psalm 34:6, the psalmist declares, “This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.” The “poor man” here refers to someone spiritually needy. He humbly calls out to God, knowing that God is the only one who can save him.
In Isaiah 66:2, God says, “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.” Again, the focus of the blessing is on those who recognize their spiritual inadequacy and approach God humbly. They are “poor in spirit” because they do not rely on their own strength or righteousness but instead turn to God for deliverance.
When Jesus says He has come to preach the gospel to the poor in Luke 4:18, He addresses the spiritually broken. The gospel—the “good news”—that Jesus proclaimed was the message that God’s kingdom was at hand. The poor in spirit were receptive to His message because they understood their need for salvation.
The Pharisees and religious leaders of Jesus’ time were not poor in spirit. They considered themselves spiritually well-to-do. They relied on their strict adherence to the law and their status within the religious community to confirm their righteousness before God. To counter such thinking, Jesus tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:9–14). The parable illustrates the difference between the spiritually proud and the spiritually poor. The Pharisee in the story thanks God that he is not like others, and he boasts in his self-righteousness. Meanwhile, the tax collector stands at a distance, beating his chest and praying, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner” (Luke 18:13). Jesus concludes that the tax collector, who humbly acknowledged his spiritual poverty, went home justified before God.
Being poor in spirit means recognizing one’s need for God’s mercy and salvation. The proud, who believe they do not need God’s grace, are spiritually impoverished without even realizing it (see Revelation 3:17). Those who are poor in spirit are open to receiving the gospel because they know they cannot save themselves.
In Luke 4:18, Jesus begins proclaiming good news to the poor. For the rest of His earthly ministry, He addresses those who recognize their deep need for God’s salvation. Jesus’ message is received by those who are humble, repentant, and aware of their spiritual bankruptcy. They have “ears to hear” (Mark 4:9). The good news is that God’s kingdom is open to all, offering forgiveness of sin and eternal life.
