Jesus was Anointed by the Holy Spirit
Jesus Christ anointed with the Holy Spirit stands as a pivotal event that is a backbone of Christian faith. This moment occurs at the outset of Jesus’ public ministry and reveals the identity, mission, and empowerment of Jesus as the Messiah. Without this anointment of the Spirit in the presence of the Father, Jesus could have been just another great prophet or good man. However, his empowerment from the Holy Spirit declares him as the only begotten Son of God who will save the world. The biblical witness to this event is rich, drawing together Old Testament prophecy, the testimony of the Gospel writers, and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the church.
Old Testament Background
The expectation that the Messiah would be uniquely endowed with the Spirit of God is deeply rooted in the Old Testament. The Hebrew term “Messiah” (mashiach) means “anointed one,” and throughout Israel’s history, anointing with oil symbolized the setting apart and empowering of individuals for specific roles, such as kings (1 Samuel 16:13), priests (Exodus 29:7), and prophets (1 Kings 19:16). However, in the Old Testament anointings, there was a permanence missing, and the prophets looked forward to a future figure filled entirely and eternally with the Holy Spirit.
Isaiah 11:1-2 prophesies, “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.” Similarly, Isaiah 42:1 presents the Servant of the Lord: “Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.” Most explicitly, Isaiah 61:1 declares, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.” These passages establish the expectation that the Messiah would be anointed not merely with oil, but with the very Spirit of God.
The Baptism of Jesus: The Anointing Event
The Gospels record the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist as the moment when Jesus is publicly anointed by the Holy Spirit. Matthew 3:16-17 describes the scene: “And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’” Mark and Luke offer parallel accounts, emphasizing the visible and tangible descent of the Spirit upon Jesus (Mark 1:10; Luke 3:22).
The Gospel of John, while not narrating the baptism directly, records John the Baptist’s testimony: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit’” (John 1:32-33). The Spirit “remaining” on Jesus shows a permanent and unique endowment, which is different from the empowerment experienced by Old Testament figures.
This event is extremely powerful. The voice from heaven affirms Jesus as the beloved Son, echoing Psalm 2:7 and Isaiah 42:1, and the descent of the Spirit marks him as the anointed one, the Christ.�
Anointing the Mission of Jesus
The anointing of Jesus by the Holy Spirit is the inauguration of his messianic mission. Immediately following his baptism, Jesus is “full of the Holy Spirit” and is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted (Luke 4:1). We see that Jesus’ ministry is conducted in the power and guidance of the Spirit from the very beginning.
Upon returning to Galilee, Jesus enters the synagogue in Nazareth and reads from Isaiah 61:1-2: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18-19). Jesus then declares, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21). Jesus explicitly identifies himself as the Spirit-anointed Messiah, fulfilling the prophetic expectation and announcing the arrival of God’s kingdom.
Throughout his ministry, Jesus attributes his works to the Spirit’s empowerment. In Matthew 12:28, he says, “But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” Peter, preaching to Cornelius, summarizes Jesus’ ministry: “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him” (Acts 10:38). The miracles, exorcisms, and teachings of Jesus are completed because of his anointing by the Spirit. They are the fruit.
Why Did the Holy Spirit Anoint Jesus During his Baptism?
The anointing of Jesus by the Holy Spirit has profound implications for Christian theology. First, it affirms the full humanity of Jesus. Though eternally the Son of God, Jesus enters into human experience and dependence upon the Spirit, modeling the life of faith and obedience. This does not imply that Jesus lacked divinity, but rather that in his incarnation, he willingly emptied himself, submits to the Father, and is empowered by the Spirit to accomplish his mission.
Second, the event reveals the unity and distinction of the persons of the Trinity. At the baptism, the Father speaks from heaven, the Son is baptized, and the Spirit descends, offering us a clear scriptural witness to the triune nature of God.
Third, the anointing of Jesus inaugurates the new age of the Holy Spirit. The Old Testament anticipated a time when the Spirit would be poured out on all flesh (Joel 2:28-29). Jesus, as the one upon whom the Spirit remains, becomes the source of the Spirit for his followers. As John the Baptist testifies, Jesus “baptizes with the Holy Spirit” (John 1:33). After his resurrection and ascension, Jesus sends the Spirit upon the church at Pentecost (Acts 2), fulfilling the promise and extending his anointing to all who believe.
The Church and the Spirit
Jesus anointed by the Holy Spirit is not only a historical event but also the foundation for the life of the church. Believers are united to Christ and share in his anointing. Paul writes, “Now it is God who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee” (2 Corinthians 1:21-22). As the body of Christ, we are called to continue the mission of Jesus in the power of the same Spirit.
This participation is not a matter of human achievement but of divine grace. As Paul reminds the Galatians, “Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?” (Galatians 3:2). The Spirit who anointed Jesus now indwells and empowers believers for witness, service, and transformation into the likeness of Christ (Romans 8:9-11; 2 Corinthians 3:18).
Conclusion - Jesus Anointed with the Holy Spirit
The anointing of Jesus by the Holy Spirit is a central event in the Bible, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy, initiating the messianic mission, and revealing the triune nature of God. Through the Spirit’s descent and abiding presence, Jesus is empowered to proclaim good news, heal the broken, and establish the kingdom of God. This anointing is not confined to Jesus alone but is extended to all who are united to him by faith. The gift of the Holy Spirit can now rest in each of us, equipping the church to bear witness to the gospel in the world. As the Scriptures testify, “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power” (Acts 10:38), and through him, the promise of the Spirit is made available to all who believe.