"And she, being put forward by her mother, saith, Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist. And the king was grieved; but for the sake of his oaths, and of them that sat at meat with him, he commanded it to be given; and he sent and beheaded John in the prison." Matthew 14:8-10 ASV
<p>Illustration of John the Baptist, having just been unshackled, kneeling in prayer while a soldier waits to behead him with an axe. . A shaft of light beams down on John. Salome can be seen just outside the archway with a platter in her hands.

John the Baptist Prays in Prison Just Before His Beheading

"And she, being put forward by her mother, saith, Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.…

"And Jehovah sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. And the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, because we have spoken against Jehovah, and against thee; pray unto Jehovah, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. And Jehovah said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a standard: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he seeth it, shall live." Numbers 21:6-8 ASV
<p>Illustration of Moses holding up the bronze serpent on the staff and all of the Israelites looking upon it to be healed. Numerous people lie in various states of disease. Snakes are on the ground, coiled around arms, and biting people. Moses is pictured with horns made of rays of light. Tents and mountains can be seen in the background.

The Brazen Serpent and the Healing of the Israelites

"And Jehovah sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel…

"Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. And when he came near unto the den to Daniel, he cried with a lamentable voice; the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, and they have not hurt me; forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. Then was the king exceeding glad, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he had trusted in his God." Daniel 6:19-23 ASV
<p>Illustration of Daniel standing in the lions' den. An angel protects him from the lions.

Daniel in the Lions' Den

"Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. And when he…

"Then David ran, and stood over the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled." I Samuel17:51 ASV
<p>Illustration of David standing next to the giant body of Goliath, holding his head by the hair. David is leaning on Goliath's sword and Goliath's spear lies on the ground, partially underneath the body. The Philistine army flees (left), while the Israelites cheer and pursue them (right). There are trees, mountains, and a small town in the background.

David Holds the Head of the Slain Goliath

"Then David ran, and stood over the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof,…

"When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and anointed his eyes with the clay, and said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam (which is by interpretation, Sent). He went away therefore, and washed, and came seeing." John 9:6-7 ASV
<p>Illustration of Jesus healing a blind man. Jesus is reaching out and touching the eyes of the man. The man is kneeling in front of Jesus and the disciples. Three disciples are standing with Jesus. Two Pharisees stand in the background. There is a large column on the left.

Jesus Puts Clay on a Blind Man's Eyes and He Is Healed

"When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and anointed his eyes…

"And at Lystra there sat a certain man, impotent in his feet, a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked. The same heard Paul speaking, who, fastening eyes upon him, and seeing that he had faith to be made whole, said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped up and walked." Acts 14:8-10 ASV
<p>Illustration of Paul and Barnabas standing with arms raised, preaching to the people at Lystra. A crippled man is sitting on the ground, holding his crutch. Paul is gesturing towards the man as he heals him. A group of men watch in the background.

Paul Heals a Crippled Man at Lystra

"And at Lystra there sat a certain man, impotent in his feet, a cripple from his mother's womb, who…

"And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness a small round thing, small as the hoar-frost on the ground. And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, What is it? For they knew not what it was. And Moses said unto them, It is the bread which Jehovah hath given you to eat. Exodus 16:14-15 ASV
<p>Illustration of Moses standing among the Israelites in the desert as they gather the manna sent by God to feed them. Moses holds a staff and his left hand is raised to the heavens. Pieces of the food can be seen on the ground. Men, women, and children are all gathering the manna. The opening of a tent can be seen on the right and mountains are pictured in the background.

The Israelites Gather Manna Sent by God

"And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness a small round thing,…

"But he, taking her by the hand, called, saying, Maiden, arise. And her spirit returned, and she rose up immediately: and he commanded that something be given her to eat." Luke 8:54-55 ASV
<p>Illustration of Jesus holding the hand of Jairus daughter as she reclines on her deathbed. Her mother is pulling back the shroud from her face. Her father stands behind her and leans over her. Peter, James, and John are standing nearby, watching the scene. The doorway opens on to the city.

Jesus Resurrects the Daughter of Jairus, Ruler of the Synagogue

"But he, taking her by the hand, called, saying, Maiden, arise. And her spirit returned, and she rose…

"While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment. And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat." Mark 5:36-43 KJV

Christ Raising the Daughter of Jairus

"While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter…

"And when he was entered into a boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the boat was covered with the waves: but he was asleep." Matthew 8:23-24 ASV
<p>Illustration of Jesus asleep in the bow of a boat while a tempest rages around him. His disciples are in the boat with him. Four disciples pray to Jesus, the rest are trying to keep the boat from sinking in the waves. The boat has one mast with a collapsed sail.

Jesus Sleeps Through a Storm at Sea

"And when he was entered into a boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great tempest…

"Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place: Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite, and they made an appointment together to come to bemoan him and to comfort him." Job 2:11 ASV
<p>Illustration of Job sitting on the ground, against a wall, head covered and bowed. Three of his friends sit across from him. One is speaking with his right arm raised, finger pointing skyward. Another rests his head on his fist and a third looks intently at Job.

Job is Patient as His Friends Bemoan Him

"Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from…

"And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go." John 11:43-44 KJV

The Raising of Lazarus

"And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead…

"And when he had thus spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. He that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave-clothes; and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go." John 11:43-44 ASV
<p>Illustration of Lazarus walking out of his tomb, wearing burial linens. Martha, Mary, and several other family members are gathered around watching.

Lazarus Walks Out of His Tomb When Jesus Raises Him from the Dead

"And when he had thus spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. He that was dead came…

"Then Jehovah rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from Jehovah out of heaven; and he overthrew those cities, and all the Plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground. But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt." Genesis 19:24-26 ASV
<p>Illustration of Lot holding hands with his two daughters as they are led from the burning city of Sodom by two angels walking on either side of them. One daughter carries a pot on her head. Lot's wife is behind them, facing Sodom. Fire covers the sky over the city in the background.

Lot and His Daughters are Led Away from Sodom by Two Angels

"Then Jehovah rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from Jehovah out of heaven; and…

"And they came to the place which God had told him of. And Abraham built the altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. And the angel of Jehovah called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham. And he said, Here I am. And he said, Lay not thy hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything unto him. For now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, from me." Genesis 22:9-12

<p>This sculpture is a Bronze-relief by Brunellesco. There is a similar sculpture done by Ghiberti. It can now be found in the National Museum in Florence, Italy.

Offering of Isaac

"And they came to the place which God had told him of. And Abraham built the altar there, and laid the…

"And when there had been much questioning, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Brethren, ye know that a good while ago God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, who knoweth the heart, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as he did unto us; and he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. Now therefore why make ye trial of God, that ye should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in like manner as they." Acts 15:7-11 ASV
<p>Illustration of Peter, standing before the rest of the apostles, explaining to them that Jesus made no distinction between Jew and Gentile and that all should be saved by their belief and not by their adherence to the old law. The apostles and the ancients at the council decided that circumcision would no longer be required.

Peter and the Apostles Decide Not to Impose Circumcision on Christians

"And when there had been much questioning, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Brethren, ye know that…

"And afterward he was manifested unto the eleven themselves as they sat at meat; and he upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them that had seen him after he was risen." Mark 16:14 ASV
<p>Illustration of Jesus standing just inside a room, clothed in a robe over his shoulder, left hand raised, head glowing. Ten of the disciples sit and stand around the room and at a table. One of these has a book in front of him on the bench. One disciple kneels at Jesus' feet and stares up at him. One disciple peers through a curtain at the back of the room

Jesus Appears to Eleven of the Disciples

"And afterward he was manifested unto the eleven themselves as they sat at meat; and he upbraided them…

"And she went, and came and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on the portion of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech. And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, Jehovah be with you. And they answered him, Jehovah bless thee. Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this? And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab:" Ruth 2:3-6 ASV
<p>Illustration of Ruth gleaning grain in the fields of Boaz. She is on her knees at the feet of Boaz, who walks with a staff and a dog behind him. His servant tells him about Ruth. Four men and women, also gleaning, watch in the background. A small town and some trees are pictured in the background.

Ruth Meets Boaz While Gleaning in the Fields

"And she went, and came and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on the…

"And the angel of Jehovah called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham. And he said, Here I am. And he said, Lay not thy hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything unto him. For now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, from me." Genesis 22:11-12
<p>The angel of the Lord halts the sacrifice of Isaac and provides a ram in his place.

Sacrifice of Isaac

"And the angel of Jehovah called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham. And he said, Here…

This sculpture is a group of figures that represent repentance, faith and resignation in the Christian religion.

Sculpture

This sculpture is a group of figures that represent repentance, faith and resignation in the Christian…

"and they cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon the Lord, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Acts 7:58-59 ASV
<p>Illustration of Stephen being stoned to death. He is pictured wearing a deacon's vestments, lying on the ground and looking up to the sky. An angel, carrying a palm frond and the crown of martyrdom, is flying above him. Several men hold stones over their heads. A group of men in robes, including Saul of Tarsus, watch the stoning. A city can be seen in the background.

Stephen Stoned to Death as He Looks up to Heaven

"and they cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their garments at the…

"And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and there shall no plague be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt." Exodus 12:13 ASV
<p>Illustration of the angel of death passing by the door of an Israelite home. The door is marked on the top side with the smeared blood of an unblemished lamb. The angel hovers over the ground and carries a sword in his right hand. Inside the house, a family can be seen gathered around the table with the slaughtered lamb on it. They are observing the first Passover. Behind the angel, a child lies dead in the street. Two obelisks and a pyramid are in the background.

The Death Angel Passes Over an Israelite Door Marked with the Blood of a Lamb

"And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I…