Isaiah 50:4-7 Psalm 22 Philippians 2:6-11 Mark 14:1–15:47 As our companion this year, I nominate the nameless woman who anointed Jesus at supper on what was the fourth day of his last week of life.

All four Gospels recount the story of a woman anointing Jesus with her expensive oil. There are some similarities between the Gospels. There are some differences. Some scholars believe that ...

The Gospel of Matthew (26:6–16) recounts a similar scene, with the woman anointing Jesus during a meal at Simon the Leper’s house. The disciples were indignant at what they saw as a waste of ...

The anointing of the King has echoes of a christening or the ordination into religious orders, with the monarch being symbolically touched with holy oil on the head, chest and hands.