Posted June 2, 2026, by Timothy

Jesus’ Teachings on Anointing

In the New Testament, Jesus was anointed in both a physical and a spiritual sense, and His teachings about anointing reveal deep truths about worship, love, and preparation for His mission.

1. Spiritual anointing — the Holy Spirit
Jesus is called “the Christ” (Greek: Christos, meaning “the Anointed One”) and “the Messiah” (Hebrew: Mashiach), fulfilling Old Testament promises of a special, Spirit‑empowered servant of God (Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18) At His baptism, the Spirit descended on Him “like a dove,” marking Him as uniquely set apart for God’s purposes. This anointing empowered Him to preach, heal, and bring the Kingdom of God.

2. Physical anointing — costly ointment and worship
In several Gospel accounts, Jesus was anointed with expensive perfume or oil by women, often in Bethany or at the home of Simon the leper.

• Matthew 26:6–13 / Mark 14:3–9 / John 12:1–8 — A woman anoints Jesus’ head with costly perfume, preparing His body for burial. Jesus defends her, saying, “She has done a beautiful thing to me” (Matthew 26:10), explaining that the act is a prophetic preparation for His death and burial, and that her love will be remembered wherever the gospel is preached.
• Luke 7:36–50 — A sinful woman anoints Jesus’ feet with perfume, symbolizing love, gratitude, and forgiveness. Jesus uses this to teach about repentance and mercy, contrasting her devotion with the Pharisee’s lack of hospitality.
• John 11:2 — Mary of Bethany anoints Jesus’ feet with nard, wiping them with her hair, symbolizing both honor and preparation for His burial.

3. Symbolism and meaning

• Honor and devotion — Anointing was an act of reverence, often with great personal cost, recognizing Jesus as the Messiah and King.
• Preparation for sacrifice — In the burial anointings, the act foreshadows Jesus’ death as the ultimate sacrificial Lamb.
• Love and forgiveness — In Luke’s account, the anointing becomes a teaching moment on grace and repentance.
• Spiritual consecration — Like Old Testament kings, prophets, and priests, Jesus was set apart by God for a sacred mission.

4. Jesus’ teaching takeaway
Jesus taught that anointing — whether with oil, perfume, or the Spirit — is an act of worship that honors Him, expresses love, and points to His redemptive work. It is not wasteful extravagance, but a meaningful gesture that prepares for His mission and reflects the depth of His value to God and humanity.

In short, Jesus’ teachings on anointing show that true worship is costly, sacrificial, and spiritually significant, and that every act of devotion to Him should be seen as part of His greater purpose.