IX. SANCTUS, SANCTUS, SANCTUS 317

St. John with two disciples behind him. Between them rolls the Jordan, at the ferry to which (Bethabara) the discussion between the Baptist and the Jews took place, and across the river the Rabbi asks:

QVOM. ERGO. BAPT

ZAS. SI NQE. XPS. NE

Q. HELIA. NEQ’ PHA

“Quomodo ergo baptizas si neque Christus, neque Elia, neque Propheta?”*

“Why baptizest thou, then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?” (John i. 25).

St. John does not, however, give the answer recorded of him in the Gospel, but another written above his head thus:-

X EGO BAPTIZO IÑO

MIE PATRIS

ET. FILII. 7.SP’

SCI

“Ego baptizo in nomine patris et filii et Spiritus sancti.”

“I baptize in the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Spirit.”

141. g. He baptizes Christ.¹

HICE BAPTISMV’ XTI

On the left is a tree with an axe laid to its root. In the centre stands St. John, with his hand on the head of Christ, who stands in the midst of the river. Three angels look down from the right bank into the water; and in it are five fishes, over one of which Christ’s hand is raised in blessing. Below is a child with a golden vase in one hand, probably the river god of the Jordan, who is sometimes introduced into these pictures. From above a ray of light, with a star and a dove in it, descends on the head of Chirst:-“And Jesus when he was baptized, went up

* The Vulgate has “Quid ergo baptizas si tu non es,” etc.

¹ [This is opposite the door opening on to the Piazzetta.]

[Version 0.04: March 2008]