Lexical Summary anablepsis: Recovery of sight, restoration of vision Original Word: ἀνάβλεψις Strong's Exhaustive Concordance recovery of sight. From anablepo; restoration of sight -- recovery of sight. see GREEK anablepo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom anablepó Definition recovery of sight NASB Translation recovery of sight (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 309: ἀνάβλεψιςἀνάβλεψις, (εως, ἡ, recovery of sight: Luke 4:18 (19) (the Sept. Isaiah 61:1). (Aristotle.) Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope Strong’s Greek number 309, anablepsis, denotes the restoration of sight. Although the noun appears only once in the Greek New Testament, the underlying idea of sight recovered—both physically and spiritually—pervades Scripture. Biblical Occurrence Luke 4:18 records Jesus reading Isaiah’s prophecy in the synagogue at Nazareth: “He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind”. In this inaugural sermon Jesus publicly identifies Himself as the promised Servant who brings anablepsis, thus setting the trajectory for His earthly ministry. Old Testament Background Isaiah 61:1 supplies the source of the quotation, and Isaiah 35:5 similarly anticipates a day when “the eyes of the blind will be opened.” These passages portray the messianic age as a time of divine intervention in which physical maladies illustrate deeper spiritual conditions. The Septuagint preserves the noun anablepsis in Isaiah 61:1, tying Luke’s Gospel directly to the prophetic hope. Christological Fulfillment By elevating Isaiah’s promise, Jesus declares that the kingdom of God has dawned. His later miracles of opening blind eyes—such as those recorded in Matthew 9:27-30, Mark 8:22-25, and John 9:1-7—validate His claim and demonstrate both compassion and authority. Each healing functions as a living parable: the One who restores physical vision is also the Light who dispels spiritual darkness (John 8:12). Physical Restoration The Gospels repeatedly show Christ touching the physical needs of individuals. Restoring eyesight was especially significant in first-century Palestine, where blindness was common and often incurable. When Jesus granted sight, people witnessed tangible proof that the Creator had entered His creation with power to reverse the effects of the Fall. Spiritual Illumination Scripture regularly employs blindness to describe the inability to perceive divine truth (Deuteronomy 29:4; 2 Corinthians 4:4). Thus, anablepsis carries a dual meaning: bodies are healed and hearts enlightened. After the risen Christ opened the disciples’ minds (Luke 24:45), they experienced an inner anablepsis that enabled them to understand the Scriptures and proclaim the Gospel with clarity. Theological Significance 1. Messianic Authentication: Anablepsis confirms Jesus as the Servant-Messiah foretold by Isaiah. Implications for Ministry Today Followers of Christ are called to embody the same mission: preaching the Gospel that opens blind eyes (Acts 26:18) and practicing compassionate deeds that reflect God’s kingdom. Evangelism and benevolence are not competing pursuits but complementary expressions of anablepsis. Related Passages for Study • Isaiah 61:1-2; Isaiah 35:5 Each text deepens understanding of how God brings sight to the sightless, whether through miraculous healing, illuminating truth, or final glorification when “we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2). Summary Anablepsis in Luke 4:18 encapsulates Jesus’ redemptive agenda: to reverse the curse, rescue from darkness, and restore humanity to full fellowship with God. Physical eyesight regained is the sign; spiritual eyesight enlightened is the goal. Forms and Transliterations αναβλεψιν ανάβλεψιν ἀνάβλεψιν anablepsin anáblepsinLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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