Why do some people say that Jesus was black?

Question

I thought he looked quintessentially Middle Eastern? Black hair, dark tanned skin, dark eyes... I don't understand how he could have been African or a pale blonde man, since he was a Jew and native to the Middle East.

I'm not saying that it matters. I'm not even a Christian. I'm just curious as to why people say "Jesus was white" or "Jesus was black", and then depict him to be that way when obviously he was born (if he existed) in the Middle East.

Smart K,

Arabs, Egyptians and Israelites were not black/African! lol. I never met an Arab or Egyptian who identified as black.

I knew that people were dumb, but I didn't really realize exactly how dumb... To some people I guess you're either white or black, nothing else exists. Maybe they should read a bit more about cultures and history.

Answer 1

Look how early Christians depicted Jesus:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Kazan_moscow.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ce/Good_shepherd_02b_close.jpg


Obviously, the image of Jesus changed over the years:

http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/history/virtual/portrait/jesus-sacredht.jpg

We are taught that Jesus was a white man and God is basically white as well. So in order to counteract this then many black people would like to Jesus as depicted as black, which is fine while neither are probably correct.

Jesus is not a black or a white Jesus. He is only and simply Jesus. Who cares about skin color???

Answer 2

Everybody wants to claim him for themselves. The Anglos want him to look like Ted Neely from Jesus Christ, Superstar.

African-Americans latched onto a verse in the bible that says "his hair is like wool" and use that to say he's black. He is far more likely to have been black than white, but I think he'd just be dark skinned and have curly dark hair like so many Middle Eastern Men. It is stated somewhere in the bible that he could walk among people an not be noticed, which is taken to mean that he looked like other men of his region. People did travel around that region into Northern Africa for thousands of years, so who knows? There's no physical evidence of him to base anything on.

Answer 3

For some people, if you are not European White like them, then you are Black.

He probably looked more like you describe than either White or Black. Middle Eastern is probably the best description you can use.

Answer 4

I presume he was of middle eastern descent, as you say. The notion that he was blond/blue is a touch silly, in my opinion. As for being black, it's possible that he could have been darker than present-day middle-eastern Jews, certainly, as considerable mixing of the various ethnic groups has undoubtedly taken place in the last 2000 years.

The bigger question is, why would it matter? :-)

Answer 5

Doesn't matter! Black or white hes my savior! I can worship him and be the only white person in the church! Race is not a factor! We are all the same! If Jesus was black, thats perfectly fine with me!!! BTW I'm white!

Answer 6

Jesus was born of the Jews

Answer 7

WHY does it matter? What is with all the questions about jesus being black? Assuming I thought he was real too, how would it change the message being sent?
Wouldn't you think he could "come back" as anyone he wanted?

Answer 8

Middle Eastern means, brown skin, dark hair and dark eyes. Like this... http://www.throneworld.com/pix/people/oded_fehr.jpg

Answer 9

It seems you know your answer. The thing that is important is He is the Son of God, who came in the flesh. All who believe that and except Him into their heart no matter what color they are, are going to inherit the Kingdom of God. God Bless!

Answer 10

The same reason others say it's a woman or Hispanic.
territorial i guess