Three Biblical Parables

The figural episodes recounted on this capital relate to three biblical narratives; Christ’s parables of the sower, of the weeds, and of the blind leading the blind.
On the east and north sides of the capital we see a row of heretics and Pharisees. They turn their back on Christ, who sits enthroned on the south-east corner of the capital. Flouting him, they march in the opposite direction, towards the north-west corner, where a figure with devils crouching on his shoulders holds a sceptre or sword in his right hand. This refers to the passage in the parable of the blind leading the blind: “And if a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit” (Mt 15:14). Christ for his part raises a scroll and shows the Pharisees’ blindness to his disciples.
Dress plays an important role here, since it separates the heretics from the apostles. The Pharisees wear tunics with hoods: a dress that coincides with some of the representations of shepherds, and also with the kaftan, a garment that characterises Muslims in Romanesque sculpture.
On the west side, to the left of the devil, two Pharisees of the high priest appear. They teach their false law with raised scrolls in their hands. On one side, as already on the south side, Jesus seems to be listening to them.
The reliefs of this capital are more dynamic that others in the cloister thanks to the effect of the various body postures, such as the crossed legs, the gestures and the folds of the draperies that break the figural symmetry and enliven the composition.
The impost plate above the capital is decorated with a continuous undulating stem, which forms on each side a plant motif consisting of three curving acanthus leaves.

scene parable Christ sower blind heretic Pharisee demon sword gospel Matthew scroll apostle