The Baptism of Jesus
Basic Info
Matthew 3:13–17, Mark 1:9–11, Luke 3:21–22
Matthew, Mark, and Luke recount slightly different versions of Jesus’ Baptism (John omits it), the biggest difference being whether the voice from Heaven was heard by everyone or just Jesus. It marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. Artists typically include depictions of Jesus, John the Baptist, the dove, and the Jordan River (sometimes even including a personification of the Jordan River—a man with a water jar). Indications of the voice of God the Father, the heavens opening, the presence of angels, and the followers of John the Baptist are also common.
At times Jesus’ Baptism has been an embarrassment to the Church. John the Baptist was practicing a Baptism of repentance from sin. If Jesus was divine, then he was without sin. Why would someone without sin repent? One answer is that this was a public way for Jesus to humble himself to the Father and acknowledge that he was subject to the will of God.
Generally Jesus’ Baptism is about Jesus’ submitting himself publicly to the will of God, God the Father and God the Spirit acknowledging Jesus, and Jesus’ beginning his public ministry.
Historical Notes
The Baptism of Jesus was a fairly common theme throughout the history of Christian art. Artists have not usually changed the details of the Bible story to make it look like the Baptisms of their own day, but some regional differences can be seen. Eastern Church icons tend toward full immersion, southern European artists tended to have John use a shell to pour the water, and northern European artists tended to depict John using a pitcher.
What to Look For
In addition to the general attributes one looks for in any artwork of Bible stories, look for:
- The physical appearance of the voice of God the Father (glow in the sky, hand, upper body, etc.)
- Relationship between Jesus and the Father
- Relationship between Jesus and the Holy Spirit (dove)
- Stance John the Baptist takes toward Jesus
- Stance Jesus takes toward John the Baptist
- Extent of Jesus’ immersion in the event
- Relationship between John the Baptist and the Father and / or Spirit
- Role of the bystanders
- Relationship of the bystanders with John the Baptist, Jesus, Father, and Spirit (e.g., whether they hear the voice or see the spirit)
Questions to Focus a General Interpretation
Based on the relationships and other details you observe in the artwork, does this depiction of the Baptism seem to be more about Jesus’ surrender to God’s will, God the Father’s acknowledgment of Jesus, Jesus’ transition to a new public life, or some combination?
Does the artwork indicate whether the viewer has access to the kind of relationships depicted with God the Father and the Holy Spirit? In other words, is the relationship just for Jesus, or are John and his followers in on that as well?
Questions to Guide a Personal Interpretation
What about the artwork attracts you? What repels you? What might that say about what is going on in your life right now?
Does the artwork call you to revisit your Baptism? Do you surrender to God’s will? Does God affirm you? Do you witness publicly to your relationship with God? Are you called to live a new life?
Do your experiences of Baptism provoke you to challenge some aspect of the artwork?
Would you depict the story differently? What would you emphasize?
Questions to Suggest a Historical Interpretation
Does the artwork lean more toward reassuring the viewers of its day that God is present and in charge, or does it lean more toward calling viewers to live their Baptisms with the surrender to God’s will and public witness that Jesus demonstrated?
What was, or might have been, going on at the time the piece was created to cause the artist to lean one way or the other? the Crusades? other religious wars? plague? famine?
Would contemporary Christians want the same emphasis in a depiction of Jesus’ Baptism? Why?
