Was Jesus white or dark?

Question

Does anyone still believe that Jesus was a white man? What is the prevailing opinion these days? Do any Christians feel foolish for ever believing Jesus was pale skinned?

Answer 1

anyone who studies any kind of history knows that Jesus was of Jewish descent.... medium/darker skin tone... dark hair...

but Jesus is more than 'skin color' and that should be the least concern not only about Jesus but about every other person on earth...

Answer 2

Nobody knows for sure what his skin color was, but we do know that Yeshua was from the middle east. Not all people from the middle east have dark skin or light skin, so it really is a toss up. Does it really matter though? If you like the man's ideas, then you like the man's ideas. Just try to keep in mind that the apostles wrote them down and may have skewed them towards something that they saw, not something that actually was. As I have said before, I hope that we someday find some sort of written work actually penned by Yeshua. That should end all debates about what Yeshua actually wanted to convey to the world. But, still, his skin color does not matter. If someone offers you a helping hand, don't check to see if the hand is green or brown or white or blue. Just take the help or decide you don't need help. The color of the hand shouldn't have any bearing........

Answer 3

I don't know what the "prevailing opinion" is, but Jesus was a Middle-Eastern Jew. As such, he probably had medium-dark skin.

It is unfortunate that the most famous pictures of Him show him as distinctly white. He wasn't. He also wasn't good-looking. Isaiah 53:2: "He has no form or comeliness; Wnd when we see Him, here is no beauty that we should desire Him."

Feel foolish? No. But I do feel frustrated that artists insist on depicting Him as attractive (assuming His inner being is reflected in His outer appearance) and usually white.

Answer 4

Well, if they do it's not biblical.

Romans 1:2 "...the gospel He promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding His Son, *who as to His human nature was a descendant of David*, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord."

If He was a descendant of David that would make Him Jewish--He would probably have many features that the Jewish people of the time had--including, most likely, mid-tone skin.

Providentially, I'm listening to a radio program that talks about this subject to a certain extent: http://www.kfuoam.org/Issues_ETC/ie_01_31_06.htm ("Responding to Dr. Bart Ehrman's 'Misquoting Jesus'" Hr.2 & 3).

Answer 5

The fact is that Jesus was a Jewish man and probably had dark skin, but what does it really matter anyway.

Answer 6

I would think that, given the story is based in the Middle East, that Jesus was likely dark skinned. Not African dark, but brown. I doubt he was the hunky blonde white dude depicted in religious art.

Answer 7

Jesus lived His life on Earth as a Semite.
There is a broad range of skin tones for Semites (descendants of Shem).

Answer 8

Well by a historical point of view there is no way he could have been the pale skinned, light haired, blue eyed babe they say he was. Im thinking dark to medium brown skin, Dark hair, probably a little hairy.

Answer 9

When I was growing up I remember asking the preacher that question.He told me he was everything.If you look at any of the paintings of him you can't tell what he is by coloring.That is because he was part of a all.He could be red yellow, black ,white.No one has ever said he was "pale skinned" as you say.I don't think it really matters does it?It doesn't to me.He is my Lord and that is all that matters to me.

Answer 10

I beleive that Jesus was a Jew, and during that time, in the area He lived, most people, including Jesus were dark.

I asked my teacher why people even cared what color Jesus was, and his response was simply that people have a need to include Jesus in their in-group maning that one set have to believe He was white and another set have to believe He was black. the main thing is for people to believe and accept that he died for our sins and tell Him we're sincerly sorry for our sins and wish to turn form our sins and serve Him for the rest of our lives in a way that is pleasing to Him.

Answer 11

Jesus was a Jew, In Israel
All of those people have darker skin that we in America
We are considered Gentiles