The Betrayal

The figure of Christ, with a forked beard is shown standing in the centre of the panel wearing a cloak draped over his right shoulder. The figures of his right hand are held in the traditional attitude of blessing, but the hand is pointing downwards, not raised as might be expected. The bearded Judas stands next to him, placing his left hand on Christ's shoulder to embrace him. A soldier grasps Christ's cloak from the left while St Peter is shown cutting off the right ear of Malchus with his sword.

The unusual downwards pointing position of Christ's right hand is not peculiar to this panel and instead is found in many alabaster panels of the Betrayal. This gesture probably refers to Christ's healing of the ear of Malchus.