Plants and Foods of the Bible · The Vineyard and the Olive Tree · From the fruit of the olive tree

Olive Oil

The oil that kept the lamps burning and that kings were anointed with

Key verse
Matthew 25:3-4
Where we find it
The olive presses of the villages and towns of the land of Israel
What it reminds us of
Light, readiness and the blessing of God
Illustration: Olive Oil

Stories from Scripture

Olive Oil in the stories of the Bible

  1. Samuel and David

    Samuel anoints young David

    God sent Samuel to the house of Jesse in Bethlehem. Of all the sons, the Lord chose the youngest, the shepherd David. Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers, and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward.

    1 Samuel 16:13

  2. The prophet Elijah and the widow of Zarephath

    The oil that did not run out

    A widow of Zarephath had only a handful of flour and a little oil left. The prophet Elijah asked her to make him a little cake first, with the promise of the Lord. She obeyed, and the flour in the barrel did not waste and the oil in the jar did not fail.

    1 Kings 17:12-16

  3. The parable of Jesus

    The wise virgins and the burning lamps

    In Jesus’ parable, ten virgins waited for the bridegroom. The foolish ones took their lamps but took no oil with them. The wise ones took oil in their vessels too, so they were ready when the bridegroom came.

    Matthew 25:1-13

From the world of the Bible

Did you know?

  • Olive oil was made by crushing ripe olives and pressing the paste in stone presses until the golden oil flowed.

  • The clay lamps of Bible times burned olive oil with a wick of flax.

  • Oil was used for cooking, for light, for caring for wounds and for anointing priests and kings.

From the Holy Scriptures

What do we read in the Bible about olive oil?

3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

In kids’ words: The wise virgins got ready ahead of time. Jesus teaches us to be ready and to live close to Him every day.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

In kids’ words: Being anointed with oil was a sign of honor and joy: God welcomes His children with love and plenty.

Verses are quoted from the King James Version (KJV). Read each passage in the context of its chapter in the Bible.

What olive oil teaches us

Light and readiness

Without oil, the lamp goes out. The wise virgins took oil ahead of time, and the foolish ones were left without light. Jesus teaches us to be ready: to stay close to Him every day, not only when we happen to remember.

How we can live this out today

Tonight, get your things ready for tomorrow and say a short prayer. In the morning, start the day by talking with God.

Mini-Quiz

What did you learn about olive oil?

What was oil used for in the parable of the virgins?

For parents and children

At home and in Sunday school

A question for parents and children

What does it mean for us to be “ready,” like the wise virgins? What habit helps us keep our lamp burning?

My prayer
“Lord, fill my heart with Your light, like a lamp full of oil. Help me to be ready and to shine for the people around me. Amen.”

Activity at home

A lit lamp

Light a candle (with an adult) and talk about being ready and shining, like the wise virgins.