The Power of Biblical Art – Stom’s Luke and Mark

I love showing students the creativity expression of exegesis and theology in good Biblical art. I intend to show my students this brilliant 17th century oil painting by Matthias Stom. This work portrays St. Luke writing with his symbol, the ox, by his side. St. Mark is resting on the lion, his own symbol, and facing the viewer. The words on the book say: “Pax tibi, marce, evangelista mea” — “Peace be with you, Mark, my evangelist.” Supposedly, Christ spoke these words to Mark while the Evangelist was in prison.