The Baptism of Christ,
Painted by Giovanni Baronzio (active circa 1320-1350),
Painted circa 1335,
Tempera on panel
© National Gallery of Art, Washington
The Baptism of Christ,
Painted by Giovanni Baronzio (active circa 1320-1350),
Painted circa 1335,
Tempera on panel
© National Gallery of Art, Washington
The least in the kingdom of God is greater than John
Luke 7:24-30
When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus began to talk to the people about John. ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the breeze? No? Then what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Oh no, those who go in for fine clothes and live luxuriously are to be found at court! Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet: he is the one of whom scripture says:
See, I am going to send my messenger before you;
he will prepare the way before you.
‘I tell you, of all the children born of women, there is no one greater than John; yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he is. All the people who heard him, and the tax collectors too, acknowledged God’s plan by accepting baptism from John; but by refusing baptism from him the Pharisees and the lawyers had thwarted what God had in mind for them.’
Reflection on the painting
In our Gospel reading Jesus is giving high praise to John the Baptist. Jesus goes so far as to say that no one born of woman is greater than John the Baptist. What a compliment! However, Jesus immediately goes on to declare that the least in the kingdom of God is greater than John the Baptist. Jesus knew that John would not live to witness the whole of Jesus’ public ministry, his passion, crucifixion, death, resurrection and ascension, which led to the descent of the Holy Spirit and the birth of our Church. So Jesus makes a clear distinction of the times ‘before Christ’ and ‘after Christ’.
As we all now live in the period after Christ, we can rejoice and benefit from the the blessings that have come through passion, crucifixion, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus and full presence of the Holy Spirit. Today’s reading calls for an awareness of the true privilege that we have that Christ has come before us, and the graces that brings.
Just as Saint John poured the baptismal waters over Jesus, now Jesus is pouring his grace over us, every day. Our painting from circa 1335 by Giovanni Baronzio shows Saint John baptising Christ in the Jordan River as two angels look on, one holding a rich silk woven cloak, ready to wrap around Christ. Submerged up to his hips in the water, Christ inclines his head towards John, who reaches out to him from the rocky river banks, holding a staff in his left hand. Note the carefully and beautifully patterned and punched gold ground.
Share this Gospel Reading
Did you like this Gospel reading and art reflection?
Join in the discussion about this artwork & Gospel reading
Readings related to Luke 7:24-30
Join our community
In addition to receiving our Daily Gospel Reading and Art Reflection, signing up for a free membership allows you to:
- Comment and interact with fellow members
- Save your favorite readings & artworks
- Access member’s only content
Exquisite painting with wonderful tooled details Patrick has mentioned.
Funnily enough, I had a bit of an argument with a friend over the phrase in today’s gospel! Jesus gives John an accolade but immediately follows it with “the least in the kingdom is greater than he” My take on it was a bit like the parable of the land owner who paid the same to those who started work at the eleventh hour as those who started early. To me it means in the Kingdom, nobody has a position – except God. Everyone else is equal, ie saved.
She wasn’t convinced!
I can see where you are coming from. In heaven there is true humility so there is no vying for position or no envy. So in essence, everyone in a way is equal. Yet we here on Earth we like rankings. So I would still rank our Blessed Mother as the highest of saints followed by St. Joseph and St. John the Baptist.
We don’t realise how lucky we, christians, are.
There is so much beauty out there. Sometimes I feel almost overwhelmed.
Deacon Patrick, would you explain the ‘punched’ background please?
Thank you Anthony. After the gold leaf is applied, the flat surfaces might be “tooled” with punches and line-making tools, to make patterns within the gold, very often on halos or other features but sometimes all over the background. Several of these techniques might be used on the same piece to give a variety of effects.
Hope this helps
Thank you, I have seen that effect once or twice but only in books which don’t give a really clear picture, or highlight it and explain it. But I didn’t know how it was achieved. I assumed it was paint or gold leaf over an existing bacground.
What another exquisite painting to start my day! Thank you Patrick.
You are welcome 👍
Pre-Raphael – how beautiful these simple paintings can be. This evening, my friends and I are going out for a curry at an excellent Pakistani restaurant. It is Islamic so no alcohol is permitted which is curiously liberating!
What has that to do with God, the Baptist or the forthcoming Christmas festivities you may ask!?
Doesn’t it all have to do with God? Hope you enjoy the curry!
Enjoy your night out!
God bless