Claim: The Externsteine relief depicts Mary, Joseph, John the Apostle, and the torso of the ascended Christ.
Evidence: Nicodemus lowers the body of Jesus towards Joseph of Arimathea, who is standing to the left of the cross. To the left of Joseph is the figure of Mary, Mother of Jesus (the head of this figure has been lost), with her hand supporting the head of her son's corpse. Opposite Mary, on the right side of the scene, is John the Apostle, holding a book. The upper register shows the torso of the ascended Christ wearing a cross halo and a victory flag.