r/Catholicism • u/ElwinRansom18 • 1d ago

Bible Question

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Hello All!

I’m a Protestant who is journeying to the Catholic Faith. I recently purchased a RSV Bible and I’m curious about the pictures on the cover. I obviously know Jesus is in the center, but what are the other pictures in the four corners supposed to be? I understand they are probably all Biblical, but can anybody tell me exactly what they are? Thanks and God Bless

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u/JayBoerd 1d ago

The Gospels. The beginning of the Bible might explain it. There's some debate about which is which, but generally Lion is Mark, Ox is Luke, Man is Matthew, and the Eagle is John.

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u/you_know_what_you 1d ago

More reading for OP: Tetramorph

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u/ElwinRansom18 1d ago

You guys are so cool. Thank you so much. God bless you

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u/Todd977 1d ago

They represent the four gospel writers. The imagery is taken from the description of the four living creatures mentioned in Ezekiel, chapters 1 and 10, and Revelation, chapter 4.

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u/Infinite_Slice3305 1d ago

Is that the Study Bible or just the Bible?

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u/ElwinRansom18 1d ago

I think it’s just a regular Bible

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u/FransTorquil 1d ago

If you have the means I would really recommend purchasing the Ignatius Study version. It’s so rich and dense with exegesis and detail.

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u/Straggler117 1d ago

I have the study version CAN confirm the footnotes are STAGGERING. That study Bible also was the first one to literally lay out what the Ark of the Covenant’s tents looked like with diagrams and explanations of what each section was for.

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u/ElwinRansom18 1d ago

Looking into this. Just have to say this community is so amazing. You guys are awesome

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u/WashYourEyesTwice 21h ago

You too :D good on you for pursuing this. It's plain to me that you love the Lord and words can't express how excited I am for you on this journey of faith! Praying for you 🙏

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u/Sanctimonious_Dove26 20h ago

You are so welcome here. Congratulations on your journey to the Faith

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u/Alex_tepa 1d ago

Study Bible has title old and New testament title

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u/Last-Note-9988 1d ago

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.....symbolized.

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u/StayNfrosty 1d ago

Those would be the gospels

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u/xveena 23h ago

Others anwsered your question, but I must add that I am so happy you are looking into coming to the Church. May God bless you and make you steadfast in your way! :)

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u/arangutan225 1d ago

Thats a crest to represent the 4 gospel writers, there is a big ornate crucifix in my basilica that has them on the corners around it

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u/Medical-Stop1652 23h ago

I always thought Luke was the Man and Matthew the Ox.

Talking of Catholic symbolism, have you come across this book?

https://shop.catholicsupply.com/compendium-of-the-catechism-of-the-catholic-church.aspx

Along with a shorter version of the catechism, it explains and highlights a lot of Christian symbolism and art down the centuries.

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u/ElwinRansom18 16h ago

This is great! Thanks