John the Baptist embraces Jesus, whom he has been awaiting. Engraving by G. Rousselet after G. Reni.

The words are from chapter 2, verse 16 of the Song of Solomon: "My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies". The second clause compounds the analogy - Christ is the one who 'considers the lilies'. It is John, then, who is represented as the lover and the speaker of the words, although he is submissive in the picture ("He must wax and I must wane" - John 3.30). The lamb refers to John's line on seeing Jesus: "Behold the lamb of God!" (John 1.36). John holds a reed cross