Opposite St Paul is a Roman soldier. Some people believe that the centurion in charge of the crucifixion was converted and became a great Christian. Preedy links him with Cornelius, a centurion whose story is in Acts 10. Opposite Mary Magdalene is the prophet Isaiah (or possibly the Ethiopian in Acts 8), holding the legend of Isaiah’s prophecy: “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter”.

Beneath the central scene, in Latin, is written “I saw the tree of life bearing twelve fruits” beneath which is written the promise of Christ, “Et ego si exaltatus fuero a terra omnia traham ad me ipsum” in English (John 12:32), “and I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all mankind unto me”. It is symbolised during Holy Communion by the elevation of the consecrated bread and wine. The portrayal of his arms against the cross also suggests this drawing in of men and women to him.