Kariye Camii - Strolling Through Istanbul: The Classic Guide to the City - page 286

V. The Cycle of Christ's Ministry

This cycle occupies the domical vaults of all seven bays of the outer
narthex, as well as parts of the south bay of the inner narthex.
Unfortunately, all but one of the vaults in the outer narthex are very
badly damaged, many scenes being lost or reduced to mere fragments.
The series begins in the vault of the first bay.

39. Christ among the Doctors (north side)

40. John the Baptist bearing witness of Christ (I) (south side)

In vault of first bay (fragments only)

41. John the Baptist bearing witness of Christ (II) (north side)

42. The Temptation of Christ (south side)

In vault of second bay

he first scene is inscribed: “This was he of whom I spake, He
that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before
me.” (John 1:15)

The four scenes of the Temptation are accompanied by a
running dialogue between Christ and the Devil (from Matthew
4:3-10): (1) Devil: “If thou be the Son of God, command that
these stones be made bread.” Christ: “It is written, Man shall
not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out
of the mouth of God.” (2) Devil: “All these things will I give
thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.” Christ: “Get thee
behind me, Satan!” (The Devil has ofered “all the kingdoms
of the world” represented by six kings in a walled town.) (3)
“Then the Devil taketh him up to the holy city (and setteth him
on a pinacle of the temple).” (4) Devil: “If thou be the Son of
God, cast thyself down.” Christ: “It is written, thou shalt not
tempt the Lord thy God.”