All the City Was Gathered at His Door (Toute la ville étant à sa porte)

Following reports of Jesus’ early miraculous deeds, including healing the sick and exorcising demons, others of the afflicted soon seek his help. Borne on makeshift litters or kneeling in the streets outside the home of Peter, the supplicants eagerly reach out to be touched by Jesus.

In this image, the winding, narrow alleys of an ancient city intensify the impression of jostling crowds of followers. Tissot’s commentary takes particular note of the use of arches in the construction of labyrinthine ancient cities—a building technique that strengthened the structure but cast the streets in shadow.