Folios 2v – 3r, Gospel of Matthew

Caoimhe Ní Ghormáin
Caoimhe Ní Ghormáin

Manuscripts Curator, Research Collections

1 min read • 5 September 2024

Folios 1v-6r of the Book of Kells contain concordances or canon tables of the Gospel passages occurring in the manuscript. They act like an index allowing the reader to navigate from one Gospel to another.

Folio 2v, Book of Kells

Book of Kells. Folio 2v: Canon tables

 

Folios 1v-6r of the Book of Kells contain concordances or Canon Tables, drawn up by Eusebius of Caesarea (c.260- c.340), of Gospel passages which describe the same events in two or more of the Gospels. Displayed in tables under architectural arches (apart from canons IX – X which are placed in grids), these allowed the reader, at least in theory, to navigate from one Gospel to another.

Folios 2v-3r consist of Canon II, listing passages occurring in three Gospels: Matthew, Mark and Luke.

Folio 3r, Book of Kells

Book of Kells. Folio 3r: Canon tables

On folio 3r, the second page of Canon II, the symbols of Matthew (the man), Mark (the lion) and Luke (the calf) signal the column relating to that Evangelist’s Gospel. The design closely matches folio 2v, where Christ is positioned between two lions above the main arch. Here on the right-hand folio a sprouting chalice is placed above the arch with peacocks, as symbols of Christ, taking his role in gripping the tongues of the lions. The lion is significant in the context of resurrection imagery which is such a dominant feature of the Book of Kells.

Below the Evangelist symbols on folio 3r there is a winged figure holding a book: whether it is an angel or the symbol of Matthew is not clear.

At the foot of the folios the canon numbers are written in red and purple which sometimes intrude on the colouring of the pillars, suggesting that the text was completed by the scribe after the artist had completed his work.

Explore the artwork

Explore the artwork

Christ between two lions

On folio 2v, Christ is positioned between two lions above the main arch, gripping the tongues of the lions. The lion is significant in the context of resurrection imagery which is such a dominant feature of the Book of Kells.

Numbers in the tables

The numbers of the passages in occurring in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke are written in red and purple ink and are displayed in tables under architectural arches.

Peacocks

On folio 3r, a sprouting chalice is placed above the arch with peacocks, as symbols of Christ.

Evangelist symbols

In the arch are the Evangelist symbols: the man of Matthew, holding a book, the lion of Mark and the calf of Luke.

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