The Stained Glass Windows of Saint Mark

The Baptism of Christ

“And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Mark 1:9-11

Jean Cochrane Witham, 1865-1924
William Stuart Witham, 1853-1934

The account of the baptism of Jesus appears in the Synoptic Gospels (Saint Matthew 3:13-17, Saint Mark 1:9-11, Saint Luke 3:21-22) and is presumed in the Fourth Gospel (Saint John 1:29-34). The baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the Jordan River was accompanied by a vision of the Holy Spirit descending like a dove and by the Bath Qol, a mysterious voice by which God on occasion communicated with men after the end of prophecy. The voice said, “Thou art my beloved Son; with thee I am well pleased.” In the Synoptics, the vision and voice came to Jesus alone; in the Fourth Gospel the signs were for John the Baptist.
John the Baptist, clothed in camel’s hair shirt as described by Saint Matthew, has around his head a nimbus, signifying sanctity. He carries a cruciform staff with a banner reading “Ecce A-gnus Dei,” Latin for “Behold the Lamb of God"; this phrase appears in the Gospel according to Saint John as John the Baptist’s affirmation upon recognizing Jesus and reflects the description of the Suffering Servant in Second Isaiah (53:7). The baptism of Jesus is administered by pouring from a scallop shell, a symbol of baptism.

Jesus is depicted with a triradiant nimbus signifying Deity. The red color of his robe is the sign of sovereign power.

The descending dove is recorded in all four Gospels and is the most usual symbol of the Holy Spirit.

Watching the scene is a winged angel. In Christian symbolism wings signify a divine mission. Hands and feet are especially difficult to execute in any artistic medium and the examples of the figures in this window are of notable excellence.

The medallion at the top of the window is an infrequent way of representing God the Father pictorially as a crowned and bearded man. A triangular nimbus signifying the Trinity surrounds his head. The right hand is raised in blessing over the baptismal scene below and the left hand holds a globe and cross, symbolic of the conquest of the world by Christianity.

This window was dedicated, with the “Ascension” and “Miracles” window, on April 19, 1959.

William Stuart Witham was a life-long Methodist and a prominent banker in Atlanta and throughout the state. A devout member of Saint Mark Church, he and his wife were instrumental in the building of the new church at Peachtree and Fifth Streets and in the raising of funds for this purpose. Their home was located “far out” in the new section of Atlanta, on Peachtree Street facing Peachtree Place. Mr. Witham was affectionately known as “Uncle Billy.