Overview
The Bible addresses anointing across 17 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Matthew, John and Psalms. Closely related themes include Bethany, Anointing of the Holy Spirit, Parsimony and Simon. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus, David and Judas Iscariot.
Key Bible verses about anointing
Old Testament
Psalms
I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him:
With whom my hand shall be established: mine arm also shall strengthen him.
The enemy shall not exact upon him; nor the son of wickedness afflict him.
And I will beat down his foes before his face, and plague them that hate him.
New Testament
Matthew
There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.
But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?
For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.
When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.
For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.
For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.
Luke
And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,
And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
John
Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him,
Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.
People in the Bible and anointing
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying anointing for yourself
- Begin with Psalms 89:20, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Matthew, John and Psalms each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Jesus, David and Judas Iscariot and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Bethany, Anointing of the Holy Spirit, Parsimony and Simon.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about anointing?
The Bible addresses anointing across 17 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Matthew, John and Psalms. Closely related themes include Bethany, Anointing of the Holy Spirit, Parsimony and Simon. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus, David and Judas Iscariot.
How many Bible verses are about anointing?
The Bible references anointing in 17 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention anointing?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Psalms 89:20: “I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him:”
Which people in the Bible are associated with anointing?
Jesus, David and Judas Iscariot.
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