ἐλαίῳ. Oil was believed to have healing properties (Luke 10:34; James 5:14), and this would aid faith on both sides. See on John 9:6 and Knowling on James 5:14. This anointing for healing purposes is very different from that which is administered when healing is believed to be impossible and death imminent. It is mentioned nowhere else in the Gospels and seems not to have been employed by Christ. Mk says nothing about cleansing lepers or raising the dead (Matthew 10:8). Mt. may possibly have had some other source.

Continues after advertising
Continues after advertising

Old Testament