Color Plates

The Baptism of Jesus

Arian Baptistery, Ravenna, Italy. Ceiling, mosaic. Late fifth century. The baptism of Jesus.

See Saving Paradise: How Christianity Traded Love of This World for Crucifixion and Empire (Beacon Press, 2008), 116-117.

“When he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens opened and the Spirit descending upon him like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my son, my Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’” Mark 1:9-11 (See also Matthew 3:13-17, Luke 3:21-22; John 1:31-34)