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
Messengers from John the Baptist Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me." The "best manuscript authorities" state that John sent word δια των μαθητων αυτου, "dia tōn mathētōn autou", i.e. by means of his disciples, but δύο τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ, "duo tōn mathētōn autou", meaning two of his disciples, appears in the Textus Receptus. Biblical commentator Marvin Vincent argues that "the correct reading is διά". Following this episode, Jesus begins to speak to the crowds about John the Baptist, according to the reports of and . Messengers from John the Baptist The messengers who came from John the Baptist