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John H. Eggers Publication and The Brooklyn Museum/©Three Lions

The Lord’s prayer by the French artist James Jacques Tissot is one of a suite of almost 400 works of the Life of Christ painted between 1885 and 1895. Unlike many European artists of his day, who created anachronistic biblical scenes with European costume and settings, Tissot strove for authenticity. Tissot based his Life of Christ paintings on solid archaeological research and on two extended trips to the Near East.

According to the Jesus Seminar, the first words of the Lord’s Prayer, “Our father who art in heaven” (Matthew 6:9b) are “almost certainly not” authentic; therefore, these words will be printed in black. However, the next words, verse 10a, “Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come,” will be printed in pink; the seminar voted that Jesus probably did speak these words. (Luke’s shorter introduction— “Father” [Luke 11:2]—will be printed in red; the seminar considers this wording to be authentic.)