Anointing of Jesus: A Comparative–Analytical Study of the Gospel Accounts
Samuel Sunday Alamu 
Issue: Vol.11 No. 8 2025 Issue Article 2 pp.401 – 410
DOI : https://doi.org/10.38159/erats.20251182 | Published online 14th August, 2025.
© 2025 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
This study challenges the conventional belief that the anointing of Jesus in the four Gospels represents a singular event. The purpose of the study was to provide a nuanced understanding of these accounts and their theological significance. Using a comprehensive biblical textual analysis, the study examined Matthew 26:6–13, Mark 14:3–9, Luke 7:36–50, and John 12:2–8, highlighting key differences in context, timing, and participants. The findings revealed that Jesus was anointed on multiple occasions by different women, with each Gospel writer emphasizing distinct theological and cultural implications. These anointings symbolize devotion, sacrificial giving, and humility—foundational principles in Christian stewardship. The study recommends that future research should analyze each Gospel narrative within its historical and cultural setting, integrating biblical textual approaches with contemporary applications. Furthermore, it advocates for the inclusion of cross-cultural perspectives to enhance the understanding of anointing practices. Recognizing these anointing events as symbolic acts of devotion rather than mere ritual practices enriches discussions on Jesus’ identity and mission. The study also underscores the role of repetition in biblical teaching, reinforcing the importance of anointing as a theological motif. Ultimately, these insights provide a foundation for further exploration of anointing in contemporary Christian practice, encouraging scholars and theologians to engage with the text critically and contextually. This research contributes significantly to biblical studies by clarifying the distinctiveness of each anointing account and its implications for early Christian thought and modern theological discourse.
Keywords: Jesus’ Anointing, Gospel Narratives, Biblical Textual Analysis, Christian Stewardship, Cross-Cultural Theology.
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Samuel Sunday Alamu, PhD is a Lecturer (Biblical Studies-New Testament), in the Department of Religious Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos State, Nigeria. He is also a Postgraduate facilitator at ECWA Theological Seminary, Igbaja, Kwara State, Nigeria. His area of research focuses on New Testament Christianity, Contextual Theology.
Alamu, Samuel Sunday. “Anointing of Jesus: A Comparative–Analytical Study of the Gospel Accounts.” E-Journal of Religious and Theological Studies 11, no. 8 (2025): 401 -410. https://doi.org/10.38159/erats.20251182
© 2025 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
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