What do you think Jesus looked like?

Question

I believe he was black, but not African American black. More like in between black and middle eastern, but mostly black. I think he had long-ish string-y-ish "black" hair, too.
And why can't people accept the theories that he was not caucasian?

Answer 1

if we are to believe the bible he would be of Middle eastern extraction, probably related to Arabs, turks, Lebanese etc. He was descended from Shem, Abraham, Judah, David all of semitic origin. Not likely to be black since that would have been of Hamite and Nubian extraction which did not enter into Jesus' family tree. Personally it does not bother me what his colour was his message was what was important, but i hate to see people trying to warp the facts all in the name of politics or political correctness.

Answer 2

Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard. ~ Leviticus 19:27

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. ~ Matthew 5:17 (Jesus Christ)

If Christ came to fulfill the law then he would have adhered to the law in Leviticus and thus would not have cut the hair at the sides of his head or clip off the edges of the beard.

He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. ~ Isaiah 53:2

The scripture above is prophesying about Christ. So what ever Christ looked like as a man he was not beautiful or desirable in appearance.

God purposely didn't reveal Jesus' full appearance in scripture so that it would not cause conflict between races and peoples appearances. God is love not vanity.

Answer 3

I expect that He probably looked much like His fellow Jews - much like the people in the movie "The Nativity Story", as Joseph and Mary were, with that Mediterranean complexion.
I do not think that He had long hair, as so many portraits of Christ seem to depict. It was the Jewish custom that "long hair" was an "abomination". Not to mention, the fashion at the time was short hair, in step with the Romans who were ruling at the time of Christ. Also, if Christ had had long hair, Judas wouldn't have had to point him out with a kiss. He could have just said, "He's the guy with the long hair".
Also, Jesus was a Nazarean, not a Nazarite. The former is a citizen of Nazareth; the latter is a member of a long-haired Hebrew sect.
It is for these reasons why I believe the Shroud of Turin to be a hoax, because it portrays Christ with long hair. There is a fresco from an Italian catacomb that is dated around 100 years after Christ; it is the first known drawing of what Christ looked like. It is a picture of Christ being baptized by John in the Jordan. The figure of Christ had short hair.

Answer 4

Straight up Middle Eastern... at the time statistically he was probably somewhat short by modern standards, around 165 cm. or about 5.5 feet.
Complexion likely brown, nose rather prominent, hair coarse black and usually worn short. They did not have hair care products available on every street corner so look for simplicity in styles, particularly for men.

Answer 5

I think he was dark skinned, had dark hair, probably long but sort of...well does anyone remember regae? His eyes were probably dark, but sparkly and kind.

I think the reason people think he was "caucasian" is because of artistic renderings by people who did not know him so painted him to look like them basically...and because we Americans tend to think the Revolutionary War was fought so we could become the promised people. I know that sounds cynical, but I am just meaning to say that we have somehow made Jesus a "resident alien" of the United States.

The Ol' Hippie Jesus Freak
Grace and Peace
Peg

Answer 6

What's African American Black looking? You lost me with that one.

Answer 7

do no longer decrease the hair on the perimeters of your head or clip off the aspects of your beard. ~ Leviticus 19:27 do no longer imagine that I actually have come to abolish the regulation or the Prophets; I actually have not come to abolish them yet to fulfill them. ~ Matthew 5:17 (Jesus Christ) If Christ got here to fulfill the regulation then he would have adhered to the regulation in Leviticus and as a effect shouldn't have decrease the hair on the perimeters of his head or clip off the aspects of the beard. He had no splendor or majesty to charm to us to him, no longer something in his visual charm that we ought to continually favor him. ~ Isaiah fifty 3:2 The scripture above is prophesying about Christ. So what ever Christ appeared like as a guy he develop into no longer attractive or acceptable in visual charm. God purposely did not exhibit Jesus' surely visual charm in scripture or in photographs so as that it would not reason conflict between races and peoples visual charm. God is of affection no longer conceitedness.

Answer 8

Secular historians such as Flavius Josephus confirm that Jesus of Nazareth existed and indeed was a Palestinian Jew.

The Bible does not say what he looked like, but he was probably fairly swarthy, with wavy black hair and a beard. He probably had dark eyes.

It is probaby ON PURPOSE that the Bible does not describe Him. That is because of people's tendency to create idols. Think of all of the imaginary "Jesus" pictures out there. We begin to worship a picture in our own head.

Answer 9

There are no reliable sources as to His appearance,but given the paucity of blacks in ancient Palestine it would surely have been remarked upon if he was black. As far as being dark-complected,that is certainly possible.

Answer 10

You can guess or suppose but history records the truth. In a known letter from Pontius Pilate to Tiberias Cesaer we read the following:

The letter from Pontius Pilate to Tiberius Caesar

This is a reprinting of a letter from Pontius Pilate to Tiberius Caesar describing the physical appearance of Jesus. Copies are in the Congressional Library in Washington, D.C.

TO TIBERIUS CAESAR:

A young man appeared in Galilee preaching with humble unction, a new law in the Name of the God that had sent Him. At first I was apprehensive that His design was to stir up the people against the Romans, but my fears were soon dispelled. Jesus of Nazareth spoke rather as a friend of the Romans than of the Jews. One day I observed in the midst of a group of people a young man who was leaning against a tree, calmly addressing the multitude. I was told it was Jesus. This I could easily have suspected so great was the difference between Him and those who were listening to Him. His golden colored hair and beard gave to his appearance a celestial aspect. He appeared to be about 30 years of age. Never have I seen a sweeter or more serene countenance. What a contrast between Him and His bearers with their black beards and tawny complexions! Unwilling to interrupt Him by my presence, I continued my walk but signified to my secretary to join the group and listen. Later, my secretary reported that never had he seen in the works of all the philosophers anything that compared to the teachings of Jesus. He told me that Jesus was neither seditious nor rebellious, so we extended to Him our protection. He was at liberty to act, to speak, to assemble and to address the people. This unlimited freedom provoked the Jews -- not the poor but the rich and powerful.

Later, I wrote to Jesus requesting an interview with Him at the Praetorium. He came. When the Nazarene made His appearance I was having my morning walk and as I faced Him my feet seemed fastened with an iron hand to the marble pavement and I trembled in every limb as a guilty culprit, though he was calm. For some time I stood admiring this extraordinary Man. There was nothing in Him that was repelling, nor in His character, yet I felt awed in His presence. I told Him that there was a magnetic simplicity about Him and His personality that elevated Him far above the philosophers and teachers of His day.

Now, Noble Sovereign, these are the facts concerning Jesus of Nazareth and I have taken the time to write you in detail concerning these matters. I say that such a man who could convert water into wine, change death into life, disease into health; calm the stormy seas, is not guilty of any criminal offense and as others have said, we must agree -- truly this is the Son of God.

Your most obedient servant,
Pontius Pilate