“Behold the Lamb of God”

St. John the Baptist

There is one tradition of St. John the Baptist icons that portray him pointing to the Christ Child (unborn). In his left hand he holds a chalice or charger and a scroll that reads, “Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world”.  With his right hand he points to the Christ Child (unborn).

St. Leo the Great (A.D. 400?-461) has a wonderful quote that expresses in words what these icons express in art:

“…when at her greeting, John (in the womb of Elizabeth and not yet born) was stirred with prophetic exaltation-as if even in his mother’s womb he were already crying out, ‘Behold the Lamb of God, behold the one who takes away the sins of the world’.” ) Sermon 35

Here are a few more icons in this tradition:

Saint John the Forerunner

St. John the Forerunner and Baptist of our Lord

St. John the Baptist