Lamb of God

The title appears in the Gospel of John where John the Baptist identifies Jesus as 'Behold the Lamb of God' (John 1:29, 1:36), framing him within sacrificial and redeeming imagery. Early Christian reflection and scriptural development, especially in the Book of Revelation (notably Revelation 5), expand the image: the Lamb is portrayed as both slain and standing, worthy to take the scroll and execute eschatological purposes. Patristic and later theological readings (summarized in the sources) integrate Old Testament Paschal/Passover lamb imagery (cf. Pauline references such as 1 Corinthians 5:7) with Christological claims about atonement, obedience, and messianic kingship.

As a theological and iconographic image the Lamb is not treated as an autonomous creature but as a depiction of Jesus. Medieval and later Christian art conventionally represents the Lamb as a standing, haloed lamb often shown with a foreleg cocked holding a pennant bearing a red cross on a white field. Revelation employs paradoxical imagery—describing the Lamb as 'slain but standing' and using lion-like and messianic associations (ties to the tribe of Judah and the root of David) to convey both sacrificial innocence and royal authority.

Framed theologically rather than as folkloric powers, the Lamb's functions in scripture and doctrine include atonement ('takes away the sin of the world' — John 1:29), mediating reconciliation between God and humanity through obedient suffering (the passion and crucifixion), and, in Revelation, being 'worthy' to take the judgment scroll and enact eschatological judgement and victory (Rev 5). The Lamb's narrative role combines sacrificial death, resurrection/victory, and authority to consummate redemption and the eschatological order.