This is how John the Baptist began baptizing in the desert. There he preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. All the people from the province of Judea and the city of Jerusalem went out to him to confess their sins and be baptized by him in the Jordan River. John wore a garment made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. [...] In those days, Jesus came from Nazareth, a town in Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan river. As he came up out of the water, Jesus saw the heavens open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased”. (Mark 1, 4–6; 9–11)

After being baptized, Jesus came up out of the water. At that moment, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him. And a voice from heaven said: “This is my Son, the Beloved; this is my Chosen One” (Matthew 3, 16–17)

One day, Jesus was also baptized along with the people who were coming to be baptized. And while he was praying, heaven was opened, the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came from heaven: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” (Luke 3, 21-22)

Nieva represents the moment when Saint John, dressed only in a camel’s skin and a belt, pours water from the Jordan River over Jesus’ head using a shell; Jesus, semi-nude, receives it in a posture of prayer while the Holy Spirit descends upon Him in the form of a dove.

This scene appears in all four Gospels, with different levels of detail. It not only narrates Christ’s acceptance of his own mission, but also the presence of God, who acknowledges Jesus not only as the long-awaited Messiah, but also as His Son. It is in this context that John the Baptist also recognizes in Jesus the Servant foretold by the prophets.