Jesus and the teachers
There was a collegiate school connected to the Saint Donation church in Bruges. The school therefore presents the scene of Jesus with the teachers of Israel.
The message of the child Jesus is not a matter of knowledge but of deep intuition and wisdom. He has acquired this depth by His closeness to God, whom He calls His Father. Without His parents knowing it, Jesus has stayed behind in the temple. For three days they have been looking for Him until they find Him again amongst the teachers.
John the Baptist
John the Baptist is the patron saint of the city of Florence. The scene is therefore presented by the nation of Florence. John is the forerunner to Jesus. He calls to a change, a new vision on life. Opposite him stands the frivolous ruler Herod. John the Baptist was imprisoned by Herod because he criticised his way of living: Herod had taken Herodias, his brother’s wife, for himself. On a feast Salome, the daughter of Herodias, was dancing so gracefully that Herod promised her everything she asked for. She demanded the head of John the Baptist.
