Gospel in Art: When John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ...

St John the Baptist in Prison, Visited by Salomé, Drawing possibly by Guercino, 17c © Princeton University Art Museum. Gift of Nathan V Hammer

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 14 December 2025
Matthew 11:2-11

At that time: When John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, 'Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?'

And Jesus answered them, 'Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.'

As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: 'What did you go out into the wilderness to see?

'A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.

'What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written,

"Behold, I send my messenger before your face,

who will prepare your way before you."

'Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.'

Reflection on the Old Master Drawing

In today's Gospel reading we hear that John the Baptist has been locked away in prison, beautifully depicted in our 17th-century Old Master drawing. From his cell, John sends his own disciples to Jesus with a question. And perhaps this surprises us. We might have assumed that John, the great prophet, the fearless voice in the wilderness, would already have all the answers. But he doesn't. Even he has questions.

There is comfort in that. If John the Baptist still wrestled with uncertainty and questions, then surely there is room for our questions too. Faith doesn't mean having everything neatly resolved and having no doubt. Faith means that we trust God enough to bring our uncertainties to Him.

But notice what John does. He doesn't sit with his questions passively. He doesn't sink into endless circles of worry or speculation. No, John takes initiative. He sends messengers straight to Jesus. In our drawing, John is shown writing his questions on a sheet of paper, something he wouldn't literally have done in that moment of history, of course. Yet the artist uses this small, imaginative detail to express a deeper truth: John is a man actively seeking, putting his questions "to paper," so to speak, in his desire to find answers from Christ. Instead of turning inward, he turns outward. Instead of remaining stuck, he seeks.

And how does Jesus respond? He doesn't send back a simple reassurance or a neatly packaged explanation. Rather, He tells them to look... to open their eyes to the signs all around them: the blind seeing, the lame walking, the poor hearing Good News. Jesus invites John not to an easy answer but to a deeper trust, a deeper contemplation, a deeper entry into the mystery of who He truly is. Sometimes, instead of removing our questions, Jesus asks us to look again, to notice His presence already at work.

As for today's artwork, the drawing's authorship remains uncertain. It is certainly in the style of Guercino (perhaps even by his hand) though a full attribution has yet to be confirmed. What we can say with certainty is that this drawing is the work of a master. In the warm brown ink, every stroke feels alive. We see John in his cell, framed by shadow, gazing out through the window at Salomé on the left, faintly outlined. John's posture is resolute; his eyes are fixed, steady, unafraid. Even in confinement, there is strength.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-11-2-11-2025/