Baptism by John in the Jordan River
Jesus went to John the Baptist, to be baptized himself. Although there are discrepancies, the Gospel writers agree that this was an important prelude to Jesus' ministry, and that at this time God declared Jesus to be his son.
This panel captures the scene at the point at which the announcement is made. The act of baptism is complete, and the Spirit, in the likeness of a dove, is about to settle on Jesus' head or shoulder. A robust Jesus is listening to the voice, though the message is for John and the crowd. John, robed in camel's hair, the traditional garment of Hebrew prophets, remains standing in the Jordan, slightly over-awed by the deed he has just been asked to perform.