Topical Bible: Anointing of Jesus, As a Token of Love

Bible > Topical > Anointing of Jesus, As a Token of Love

◄ Anointing of Jesus, As a Token of Love ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The anointing of Jesus, as a token of love, is a significant event recorded in the Gospels, highlighting the deep devotion and reverence shown to Jesus by His followers. This act of anointing is depicted in different contexts across the Gospels, each emphasizing the profound love and recognition of Jesus' divine mission.

Biblical Accounts

The anointing of Jesus is described in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, with each account providing unique details. In Matthew 26:6-13 and Mark 14:3-9, the event takes place in the house of Simon the leper in Bethany. A woman, identified in John 12:3 as Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, anoints Jesus with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume. The Berean Standard Bible records in Matthew 26:7, "a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He was reclining at the table."

In John's account, the focus is on Mary anointing Jesus' feet and wiping them with her hair, as stated in John 12:3 : "Then Mary took about a pint of expensive perfume, made of pure nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume."

Symbolism and Significance

The anointing of Jesus is rich in symbolism and theological significance. It is an act of profound love and devotion, demonstrating the woman's recognition of Jesus' identity and mission. The use of costly perfume signifies the value and honor she places on Jesus, acknowledging Him as the Messiah. In the cultural context of the time, anointing was associated with consecration and preparation, often reserved for kings and priests, thus underscoring Jesus' royal and priestly roles.

Jesus Himself interprets the anointing as preparation for His burial, as noted in Matthew 26:12 : "By pouring this perfume on Me, she has prepared My body for burial." This prophetic act foreshadows His impending death and burial, highlighting the woman's insight into the significance of Jesus' journey to the cross.

Reactions and Teachings

The disciples' reaction to the anointing, particularly Judas Iscariot's objection to the perceived waste of resources, is recorded in John 12:4-5 : "But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was going to betray Him, asked, 'Why wasn’t this perfume sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?'" Jesus' response, however, emphasizes the appropriateness of the woman's act of love and devotion, as He defends her actions and highlights the enduring impact of her deed.

In Mark 14:9 , Jesus declares, "And truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached in all the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her." This statement underscores the lasting legacy of the woman's love and devotion, serving as an example for all believers to honor and worship Jesus with their whole hearts.

Theological Reflections

From a theological perspective, the anointing of Jesus as a token of love serves as a powerful reminder of the call to worship and adore Christ with sincerity and sacrifice. It challenges believers to consider the depth of their own devotion and the ways in which they honor Jesus in their lives. The woman's act of anointing is a testament to the transformative power of recognizing Jesus' true identity and responding with wholehearted love and commitment.

Nave's Topical Index

Luke 7:37,38,46
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,
Nave's Topical Index

John 11:2
(It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
Nave's Topical Index

John 12:3
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 odor of the ointment.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Anointing the Feet of Jesus.
... This was done as a token of respect and love. ... Then Jesus said, "Her sins which are
many are forgiven, for she loved much"; and ... Illustration: ANOINTING THE FEET ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the new testament/anointing the feet of jesus.htm

The Anointing of Jesus.
... I. THE ANOINTING OF JESUS ... an alabaster of very costly spikenard[2] and anointed the
feet of Jesus and wiped ... This token of affection took the company by surprise ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/i the anointing of jesus.htm

Jesus' Feet Anointed in the House of a Pharisee.
... [Anointing was a mark of honor which was usually bestowed upon ... HN xiii.4). In this
third case Jesus makes a ... We search the story in vain for any token of love ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xlvi jesus feet anointed in.htm

The Feast at Simon's House
... In the Scriptures, Mary's anointing of Jesus is mentioned as ... Acts of love and reverence
for Jesus are an evidence ... soon they could offer Him no token of their ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 62 the feast at.htm

Seal and Earnest
... preceding clauses, for the 'anointing' is the anointing of the ... Every man that loves
Jesus Christ has the Spirit ... this sealing, which is thus the token of God's ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/seal and earnest.htm

"We have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous. ...
... But our Lord Jesus hath both skill and authority, he hath ... an able Advocate, it is
a great token that he ... But the anointing of Christ for it, implies both {GREEK ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxvi we have an.htm

The Two Debtors.
... both sides, were thus calculated to promote the design of Jesus, to instruct ... the
feet of the Redeemer with the intention of anointing them in token of her ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/xvi the two debtors.htm

The Box of Ointment.
... down, she wipes them, in further token of her ... ever-befitting attitude at the feet
of Jesus, looking to ... to whether the description of the anointing, which took ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/xvii the box of ointment.htm

The Sheep and their Shepherd
... not rend the meanest lamb that is a love-token from the ... in your soul, "if ever I
loved thee, my Jesus, tis now ... Peace be with you and the Lord's own anointing. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the sheep and their shepherd.htm

The Dove of God
... there fluttered down upon Him the gentle token of the ... I have said, it was the coronation
and anointing of the ... of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the dove of god.htm