John the Baptist (Caravaggio) Jordan, and was eventually killed by Herod Antipas when he called upon the king to reform his evil ways. John was frequently shown in Christian art, identifiable by his bowl, reed cross, camel's skin and lamb. The most popular scene prior to the Counter-Reformation was of John's baptism of Jesus, or else the infant Baptist together with the infant Jesus and Mary his mother, frequently supplemented by the Baptist's own mother St Elizabeth. John alone in the desert was less popular, but not unknown. For the young Caravaggio, John was invariably a boy or youth alone in the wilderness. This
Jesus baptism in Matthew is similar. Here, before Jesus' baptism, John protests, saying, "I need to be baptized by you" (). Jesus instructs him to carry on with the baptism "to fulfill all righteousness" (). Matthew also details the three temptations that Satan offers Jesus in the wilderness (). In Luke, the Holy Spirit descends as a dove after everyone has been baptized and Jesus is praying (). John implicitly recognizes Jesus from prison after sending his followers to ask about him (). Jesus' baptism and temptation serve as preparation for his public ministry. The Gospel of John leaves out Jesus'