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Anointing with oil was a custom among the Hebrews and other oriental nations. <p>Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, That ran down upon the beard, Even Aaron's beard; That came down upon the skirt of his garments. Psalm 133:1-2 ASV

Anointing

Anointing with oil was a custom among the Hebrews and other oriental nations. Behold, how good and how…

"And while he was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster cruse of ointment of pure nard very costly; and she brake the cruse, and poured it over his head." Mark 14:3 ASV <p>A woman pours a bottle of expensive ointment over Jesus' head as he sits at a table. A man (perhaps Simon the leper) stands in the background.

Anointing of Jesus by a Woman at Bethany

"And while he was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman…

"So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah." I Samuel 16:13 ASV <p>lllustration of Samuel pouring oil on David's head, anointing him king instead of Saul. David's head is bowed and he holds a small staff. His mother and his father, Jesse, kneel behind Samuel. David's brothers and other townspeople stand around. A goat is pictured roasting just outside the door.

David is Anointed King by Samuel

"So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day…

"And after these things Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked of Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took away his body. 39 And there came also Nicodemus, he who at the first came to him by night, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds." John 19:38-39 ASV <p>Illustration of Jesus lying on the ground as his mother, Mary, weeps over him. Joseph of Arimathaea is removing the crown of thorns and Nicodemus is mourning behind Jesus' head. Three other women are also on their knees, mourning Jesus' death. The ground is wet with Jesus' blood.

Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross and is Attended by Mary, Joseph of Arimathaea, and Nicodemus

"And after these things Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the…

"So they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new tomb wherein was never man yet laid. There then because of the Jews' Preparation (for the tomb was nigh at hand) they laid Jesus." John 19:40-42 ASV <p>Illustration of Jesus' body being laid in the tomb after being wrapped in linens and anointed with oil and perfume. One man lowers Jesus' upper body into the tomb, while another holds a torch. Cloth is laid underneath him and flows down the sides of the sepulchre. A woman drapes herself over the body. His mother, Mary, and two other women huddle in the corner.

Jesus' Body is Prepared for Burial and Laid in a Sepulchre

"So they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as the custom of the…

"Mary therefore took a pound of ointment of pure nard, very precious, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment." John 12:3 ASV <p>Illustration of Mary anointing Jesus' feet with perfume. The disciples stand in the background, some looking irritated.

Mary Anoints Jesus at Bethany

"Mary therefore took a pound of ointment of pure nard, very precious, and anointed the feet of Jesus,…

And behold, a woman who was in the city, a sinner; and when she knew that he was sitting at meat in the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster cruse of ointment, and standing behind at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment." Luke 7:37-38 ASV <p>Illustration of Mary Magdalene drying Jesus' feet with the hair on her head, after she washed them with her tears and before she anointed them. The Pharisee named Simon is sitting next to Jesus. Several other guests sitting around a banquet table, discussing the scene. An open window in the background reveals palm trees and some buildings.

Mary Magdalene Washes Jesus' Feet with Her Tears, Wipes Them with Her Hair, and Anoints Them with Perfume

And behold, a woman who was in the city, a sinner; and when she knew that he was sitting at meat in…

"Under the popular impulse, and against the theocratic principle, Saul, the son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, was chosen for the royal honor, and was anointed by the prophet Samuel. With this event the second period of Israelitish history begins."&mdash;Ridpath, 1885

Saul Anointed by Samuel

"Under the popular impulse, and against the theocratic principle, Saul, the son of Kish, of the tribe…