St. John the Baptist in Prison, Visited by Salomé,
Drawing possibly by Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, 1591–1666),
Mid 17th century,
brown ink and iron gall ink with brown wash
20.5 x 25.6 cm (8 1/16 x 10 1/16 in.)
© Princeton University Art Museum. Gift of Nathan V. Hammer
St. John the Baptist in Prison, Visited by Salomé,
Drawing possibly by Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, 1591–1666),
Mid 17th century,
brown ink and iron gall ink with brown wash
20.5 x 25.6 cm (8 1/16 x 10 1/16 in.)
© Princeton University Art Museum. Gift of Nathan V. Hammer
John in his prison sent his disciples to Jesus
Matthew 11:2-11
John in his prison had heard what Christ was doing and he sent his disciples to ask him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or have we got to wait for someone else?’ Jesus answered, ‘Go back and tell John what you hear and see; the blind see again, and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised to life and the Good News is proclaimed to the poor; and happy is the man who does not lose faith in me.’
As the messengers were leaving, 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 wearing fine clothes? Oh no, those who wear fine clothes are to be found in palaces. Then what did you go out for? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet: he is the one of whom scripture says:
‘Look, I am going to send my messenger before you; he will prepare your way before you.
‘I tell you solemnly, of all the children born of women, a greater than John the Baptist has never been seen; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is.’
Reflection on the drawing
In today’s Gospel reading we hear about John the Baptist being locked up in prison (as depicted in our 17th century old master drawing) and that he sent his disciples to ask Jesus some questions. We may have thought that John would have known all the answers already, but no, even he had questions for Jesus. It is a passage that can give us comfort: if even John the Baptist, the powerful, austere, humble man who held such a high esteem among the Jews, still had questions, then it ok for us to have lots of questions too.
John the Baptist doesn’t just sit on the question though… No… John takes initiative and sends messengers to Jesus. So, rather than just endless pondering over questions, he takes firm, resolute action and sends his friends to seek the answers straight from Jesus himself.
And what does Jesus do? Well, Jesus does not send back reassurances; he just asks the messengers to open their eyes and see the evidence of Jesus’ life and all the miracles he did. It would have been easier for Jesus to reassure John in a very straightforward way, but by not doing so, he asks John to keep digging more and more deeply into the mystery of his own faith.
We are not exactly sure who this drawing is by. It certainly is in the style of Guercino or even by his hand. A full attribution hasn't been confirmed. We see Saint John in his prison cell. He is looking through the prison window at Salomé, who is paying him a visit. The beautiful brown ink strokes on paper are full of dynamism and life. We see a master artist at work. John’s gaze is strong, resolute and focussed.
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St. John the Baptist is the same person who announced, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” This tells me that he knew exactly who Jesus is. I think that as he was facing death, he needed affirmation that Jesus was the Messiah so that he could die knowing that his mission was accomplished. That’s my take, for whatever it’s worth. As for the drawing, I find it curious that John is depicted as an old man when he actually would have been in his early 30s at the time of his beheading. He was just a few months older than Jesus.
Nous pouvons être prisonniers de beaucoup de situations, soit par ce qui nous limite dans notre foi, ou bien des situations dans le monde qui nous sont imposées. Nous pouvons compter sur l’intercession d’un proche, d’un prochain de L’Église, pour nous tourner vers celui qui est notre libérateur. En Lui toute notre espérance de Salut.
I find this drawing a bit confusing. Jesus and John were the same age yet John here looks much older. What is he writing, a note to Jesus? A message to his disciples?
I am wondering the same thing. St. John the Baptist would have been in his early 30s at the time of his beheading. Yet in this drawing he looks to be in his 60s or 70s.
So much going on here, and in the world right now. Everyone seems busy and pre-occupied. Yet, we still have time to reflect on this lovely art and message this morning. I liken John’s doubts in prison, probably knowing he will never get out, to Jesus’ agony in the garden before his arrest. We all have doubts, and the marvelous thing is that if we take those doubts to prayer they are dispersed, with grace. I think this is what the passage says to me. Just a fine filament of faith is enough.
The artistry is wonderful in this sketch- how people can create such images from a few strokes of a pen I can equally only marvel at.
Thank you Patrick, with providing me with this precious little space in my very busy life.
I am imprisoned this morning by a vicious frost and worry about the cost of fighting it with my heating system.
We live in worrying times – will this bring more people to God? I think in Ukraine faith is strong?
The people of Ukraine give me courage too. Their resistance to hardship is astonishing, but under all the media hype are real people who also must doubt. I pray for them everyday, and the people of Russia too. Meanwhile, depriving ourselves of warmth helps nothing! I have turned up my heating today and urge you to keep warm too. I usually attend the vigil mass at my local church, and every week see someone new there- so I hope that answers your question!
When I start to feel sorry for myself I think of Ukraine. People of all ages whose houses have been blown to pieces living in cellars with no heating or sanitation. We pray for them at every Mass.
In the past I always used to be slightly cheesed off that John the Baptist (who knew and did so much, particularly the Baptism of Christ) could still question and have doubts. So I rather like your commentary this morning Patrick that it is OK for me/us to ask questions + take the initiative + find out.
Christianity is often criticised for suppressing questions of faith; at worst we are regarded as a decerebrate cult. But Jesus himself did not rebuke John for asking. I am reminded of Saint Augustine’s thinking faith. He said, “Not everyone who thinks believes, since many think in order not to believe. But everyone who believes thinks, thinks in believing and believes in thinking.” So reason and thinking are the handmaids of faith.