(Fig. 79)  El Greco (1541–1614), 'Pentecost', oil, 1596–1600, Prado Museum / Madrid.

Cf. Book of Acts 2:1-4: And when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them, and they were all fulfilled by the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them.

(Fig. 80)  Michael Jakovlev (b. 1959), 'Saul/Paul', c. 1990, oil.

Cf. Book of Acts 9.3-6: And when he was on the road and came near Damascus, suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him: "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" But he said: "Lord, who are you?" The said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do."

(Fig. 81)  Cecco del Caravaggio (1571–1616), 'The crucifixion of Saint Peter', oil, c. 1604, Santa Maria del Popolo / Rome.

Cf. John 21,18f: "Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"

(Fig. 82)  Jusepe de Ribera (1591–1652), 'The martyrdom of Saint Bartholomew', oil, 1634, National Gallery of Art / Washington.

Cf. Mark 13,9: "You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them."

(Fig. 83)  Ernst Barlach (1870–1938), cast from the Güstrow memorial ('Floating angel') of 1926–27, bronze, posthumous cast c. 1960.

Cf. Revelation 14:13: Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them."

(Fig. 84)  Hans Günther Baass (1909–1991), The homecoming of the prodigal son', oil, 1983.

I John 3:19f: By this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him bring it to silence that, if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.