Wednesday, December 13, 2006

What Did Jesus Really Look Like?


Which of the images above is the real Jesus? Well, most people would say number 4, or perhaps 1 or 5. And they'd be wrong. In fact, number 6 is probably the most accurate picture of Jesus, although even that's just guesswork. The simple fact is that we've all been conditioned by Hollywood and Sunday School to accept an image of Jesus as tall, lean, with flowing blonde hair, fair skin and light-coloured eyes, but that doesn't fit with any of the evidence.

We only have two hints from the Bible about his looks, and both are fairly uncomplimentary. Isaiah says that he has "no comeliness" and that "there is no beauty that we should desire him". And that His face was "marred more than any other man". And in the 3rd century, Tertullian said that Jesus' body "did not reach even to human beauty, to say nothing of heavenly glory".

Apart from these direct references to his appearance, a lot can be assumed from other evidence. First, Jesus looked ordinary - when a mob was out to get Him, He hid from them simply by melting into the crowd. And at His betrayal, Judas had to point Him out to the soldiers, even though there were only 12 people in the garden, with a pre-arranged signal. These incidents show us that Jesus looked like any other Jew of His day. Archeological evidence shows the average semetic male of the era was around 5'1" and 110 pounds. Since Jesus worked outdoors as a carpenter until He was about 30 years old, it's reasonable to assume He was more muscular and physically fit than our portraits suggest, although He did a lot of walking when He began His ministry, so it's fair to assume He would have become leaner.

How did Jesus wear His hair? Well, the apostle Paul saw Jesus and knew exactly what He looked like. In the time of Christ most men wore short hair, and in 1 Corinthians Paul wrote, "Doesn't even nature itself teach you, that if a man have long hair, it is shameful?" Would Paul have made such a statement if Jesus had long hair?

The simple fact is, although there were no pictures of the real Jesus, or accurate descriptions, that hasn't stopped people through the ages inventing them. From the static yet profound icons of Eastern Orthodoxy to the punishing bruiser of Michelangelo's "Last Judgment", Jesus served the needs of the day. Slave-era blacks painted an African Jesus, Jesus took on almond eyes in Asia and blonde hair in Scandinavia. The consistent trend has been to make him more human, to make a Jesus that His followers could easily identify with. Caravaggio did it for Italians in the 17th century with a suffering, peasant Jesus, and the filmmaker Kevin Smith reflected the modern "Jesus is my best friend" mentality by introducing a smiling "Buddy Christ" in his movie "Dogma."

Ultimately, then, the answer to the question, "What did Jesus really look like?" is: Whatever you want Him to.

Further Reading

25 comments:

Christen said...

is it plagiarism if it's on a blog? see http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/21/arts/what-did-jesus-really-look-like.html --- note last paragraph here.

Anonymous said...

Unendlich topic viagra billig kaufen cialis generika [url=http//t7-isis.org]viagra preis[/url]

Anonymous said...

Confirmo. Y con esto me he encontrado. Discutiremos esta pregunta. [url=http://csalamanca.com/tag/comprar-viagra/ ]comprar viagra en argentina [/url] a usted la mente curiosa:) http://csalamanca.com/category/viagra/ comprar viagra online

Anonymous said...

free online dating [url=http://loveepicentre.com/]latinsinglesconnection[/url] naruto ccg revenge and rebirth starter deck singles http://loveepicentre.com/ dating free personal service

Anonymous said...

blood pressre [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/catalogue/t.htm]Order Cheap Generic Drugs[/url] whats the tea http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/antibiotika.htm leaky heart valve in women http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/inderal.htm
smoke density chamber [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/retin-a-0-05-.htm]Buy Retin-A 0.05% Low prices, side effects, interactions[/url] san bernardino family practice medical group [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/erexor.htm]arizona state mutual medical insurance[/url]

Anonymous said...

what abnormailities cause muscle weakness [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/doxycycline.htm]doxycycline[/url] purchase medicine dorofen http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/cialis.htm how smoking kills you http://usadrugstoretoday.com/catalogue/q.htm
scott blechinger health canada [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/fincar.htm]fincar[/url] leavitts mills health clinic [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/aciphex.htm]what are healing foods for the heart[/url]

Anonymous said...

marijuana drug tests [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/weibliche-verstarkung.htm]weibliche verstarkung[/url] fibromyalgia and kidney function http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/zyprexa.htm good bye sweet heart lyrics http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/innopran-xl.htm
hair loss diet [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/amoxil.htm]amoxil[/url] cognitive changes and blood pressure medication [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/anti-allergique-et-l-asthme.htm]a framework for health care reform in connecticut[/url]

nasal congestion said...

He vanished for a bit, but, god, what a great post. I'm so glad he didn't stay away.

Anonymous said...

free crocheted heart kerchef pattern [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/catalogue/q.htm]Buy generic and brand medications[/url] best online pharmacy reviews http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/vitaliq.htm blood donation process http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/antabuse.htm
yeast infection sign of pregnancy [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/desyrel.htm]desyrel[/url] car urinary infection [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/bystolic.htm]beyond smoke and mirrors[/url]

Anonymous said...

http://healthboard.in/carafate/sucralfate-carafate
[url=http://healthboard.in/clopidogrel/clopidogrel-bisulfate-ph-solubility]whitney houston anorexic drugs[/url] pharmacy start up fees for clinical research [url=http://healthboard.in/cordarone/danazol-exposure]danazol exposure[/url]
the street drug sherm http://healthboard.in/caffeine/caffeine-solubility-in-dcm
[url=http://healthboard.in/clonidine/clonidine-gluconaet]good price pharmacy wharehouse[/url] pictures drug reaction [url=http://healthboard.in/cyproheptadine/cyproheptadine-no-prescription]cyproheptadine no prescription[/url]
teens with erectile dysfunction http://healthboard.in/desyrel/desyrel-50mg
[url=http://healthboard.in/cozaar/avapro-side-effects-different-from-cozaar]alzheimers drug embro[/url] number of americans without drug coverage [url=http://healthboard.in/colchicine/yellow-round-colchicine-tablets]yellow round colchicine tablets[/url] drug treatment vegas [url=http://healthboard.in/coreg]coreg[/url]

Anonymous said...

automobile exhaust gas analyzer http://automotoportal.in/lincoln/lincoln-pile-driver-pump-84291 mercedes e class seat covers custom wheels
[url=http://automotoportal.in/saleen/saleen-5281-mustang]bad credit auto san antonio[/url] auto mg flaws [url=http://automotoportal.in/maserati/my-2007-maserati-quattroporte-jeep-grand-cherokee-jetta]my 2007 maserati quattroporte jeep grand cherokee jetta[/url]
how to take radio out of dodge caravan 2007 http://automotoportal.in/morgan/all-captain-morgan-stuff
[url=http://automotoportal.in/radiator/radiator-release]willy dodge crysler[/url] volkswagen diesels for sale [url=http://automotoportal.in/scooters/electirc-scooters]electirc scooters[/url]
twin river auto sales http://automotoportal.in/plymouth/plymouth-uk
[url=http://automotoportal.in/saab/precision-motors-auto-bmw-saab-georgia]after market auto air conditioning[/url] automobile sun reflector [url=http://automotoportal.in/scion/scion-xb-modifications]scion xb modifications[/url]

Anonymous said...

opinions for comfortable shoes http://topcitystyle.com/d-amp-g-championship-long-sleeve-top-for-men--item2273.html author stephanie laurens [url=http://topcitystyle.com/?action=products&product_id=1681]chanel jewelry[/url] cinderella shoes
http://topcitystyle.com/black-light-grey-color235.html harley davidson kid clothes [url=http://topcitystyle.com/-sport-pants-dolce-amp-gabbana-category29.html]the waether chanel canada[/url]

Anonymous said...

dog swollen anal gland picture http://pornrapidshare.in/virgin/flight-status-virgin
[url=http://pornrapidshare.in/teens-top/bedroom-themes-for-teens]tranny anal[/url] adult empire king [url=http://pornrapidshare.in/teen-chat/cute-teen-squhrting-pics]cute teen squhrting pics[/url]
n adult rape http://pornrapidshare.in/teen-tgp/teen-debbie
[url=http://pornrapidshare.in/foto-teens/teens-18-exposed]sexy jeans belt lowrise[/url] amateur panty galleries [url=http://pornrapidshare.in/teens-top/sweet-innocent-teens-giving-blowjobs]sweet innocent teens giving blowjobs[/url]
anal creampies eating licking eatout http://pornrapidshare.in/toons/ulf-toons
[url=http://pornrapidshare.in/toons/free-looney-toons-podcasts]adult toys philippines dildo[/url] fucking machine porn [url=http://pornrapidshare.in/teen-high/teen-shopping]teen shopping[/url]
dildo malaysia http://pornrapidshare.in/foto-teens/lack-of-situational-awareness-in-teens
[url=http://pornrapidshare.in/for-teens/gun-control-and-teens]free porn girls getting gangbanged[/url] hermprodites porn [url=http://pornrapidshare.in/defloration/little-lolita-defloration]little lolita defloration[/url]

Anonymous said...

manual transmission lubricant http://theporncollection.in/incest/incest-porn-links
[url=http://theporncollection.in/gay-sex/gay-loutraki]empirol lubricant[/url] submit amature adult video [url=http://theporncollection.in/porn-galleries/filipina-porn-movies]filipina porn movies[/url]
flcl hentai blog http://theporncollection.in/lesbian-video/real-lesbian-erotica-stories
[url=http://theporncollection.in/gay-movie/private-for-gay]simpson adult gay[/url] virgin twinks [url=http://theporncollection.in/gay-boy/victoria-gay-men]victoria gay men[/url]
adult stiping games http://theporncollection.in/gay-sex/gay-priest-policy-in-the-usa
[url=http://theporncollection.in/gay-sex/gay-travel-greece-loutraki]naruto fan fiction hentai[/url] drop eye lubricant plus refresh [url=http://theporncollection.in/lesbian-sex/free-lesbian-movie-clip]free lesbian movie clip[/url]
sexy footjobs free http://theporncollection.in/lesbian-video/lesbian-vedio
[url=http://theporncollection.in/orgy/homemade-amateur-orgy]sabrina the teenage witch hentai[/url] free porn password forum [url=http://theporncollection.in/gay-anal/are-you-gay-test]are you gay test[/url]

Anonymous said...

adult dvd whole sales http://xwe.in/shemale/piss-shemale-phone
[url=http://xwe.in/blowjob/underage-blowjob]naked sexy women photos[/url] pregnat ebony porn [url=http://xwe.in/hcg-oral/movies-girls-naked-oral]movies girls naked oral[/url]
katy texas adult education http://xwe.in/blowjob/claudia-schiffer-blowjob
[url=http://xwe.in/nylon/nylon-pettipants]free teen anal stories[/url] pokiemon hentai [url=http://xwe.in/ass-sex/long-dildo-ass-video]long dildo ass video[/url]
nautica thorn anal pics http://xwe.in/gay-boy/gay-baths-new-york
[url=http://xwe.in/erotic-video/story-site-erotic-mf-blog-message]seconda sexy[/url] should i get a puppy or adult dog [url=http://xwe.in/ass-sex/cocksucking-ass-to-mouth-teens]cocksucking ass to mouth teens[/url]
anal cancer and prevention http://xwe.in/gay-boy/download-gay-porn-video
[url=http://xwe.in/blowjob/porn-blowjob-gallery]chloe nicole porn star[/url] darlings adult gifts [url=http://xwe.in/orgasm/thigh-massage-accidental-orgasm]thigh massage accidental orgasm[/url]

viagra online said...

Excellent blog about What Did Jesus Really Look Like? and I prefer the image 4

Anonymous said...

detective coke anyday silent movie [url=http://full-length-movies.com/dvd-quality-movie-toy-story/24134database/]Toy Story[/url] movie palace elizabethtown ky [url=http://full-length-movies.com/dvd-quality-movie-k-9/22431database/]K-9[/url]
adult movie thumbs [url=http://worldmovs.co.cc/full_version-silverado/23232database/]Silverado[/url] movie slingblade character [url=http://worldmovs.co.cc/full_version-grandma-s-boy/2604database/]Grandma's Boy[/url]
korean movie on the history of king sado [url=http://worldmovs.co.cc/full_version-a-history-of-violence/12107database/]A History of Violence[/url] the grinch stole christmas movie pictures [url=http://full-length-movies.com/dvd-quality-movie-chatterbox/8018database/]Chatterbox[/url]
liven in a movie [url=http://worldmovs.co.cc/full_version-la-seval/9736database/]La Seval[/url] pal movie format [url=http://full-length-movies.com/dvd-quality-movie-spartak-vs-tuluza-uefa-cup-86/3472database/]Spartak Vs Tuluza UEFA Cup 86[/url]

Anonymous said...

traffic shoes stroe http://luxefashion.us/yellow-black-color159.html gothic cloing and shoes [url=http://luxefashion.us/classic-denim-page7.html]designer mens jeans[/url] ralph lauren ester model
http://luxefashion.us/?action=products&product_id=2551 ko jo fashion guy [url=http://luxefashion.us/?action=products&product_id=492]calvin klein guy models[/url]

Anonymous said...

chinese clothes http://www.thefashionhouse.us/new-page3.html the service did not respond to the start or control request in a timely fashion [url=http://www.thefashionhouse.us/zessy-sweaters-brand22.html]born shoes[/url] cross country shoes
http://www.thefashionhouse.us/?action=products&product_id=2514 calvin klein moso leaves [url=http://www.thefashionhouse.us/white-green-roberto-cavalli-color50.html]ballroom dancing shoes for women in large sizes[/url]

Anonymous said...

road bike shoes http://www.thefashionhouse.us/34-dresses-size25.html aravon comfort shoes [url=http://www.thefashionhouse.us/?action=products&product_id=1849]laurence jackson school[/url] winter running shoes toronto
http://www.thefashionhouse.us/black-white-on-sale-color156.html cheap designer bags [url=http://www.thefashionhouse.us/l-sweaters-size7.html]customized shoes[/url]

Anonymous said...

group health associates ohio [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/purim.htm]purim[/url] medical assistants inject botox http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/pulmicort.htm
dig your own texas gems mineral [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/zofran.htm]zofran[/url] jvc battery generic [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/noroxin.htm ]diabetic breakfast [/url] health benifits of smiling
find a dental clinic in juarez mexico [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/stress-gum.htm]stress gum[/url] exclusive life insurance lead t health insurance http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/artrite.htm
clergymen and herbal medicine [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/lariam.htm]lariam[/url] kent medical clinic [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/cleocin-gel.htm ]what are the risks of vitamin d deficiency [/url] antibiotic treatment of acne

Anonymous said...

air line travel tickets http://xwl.in/vacation-packages/the-cheapest-vacation-packages-in-new-york-new-york fisher travel enterprises
[url=http://xwl.in/tours/jet-tours]travel to little cayman[/url] travel stops between kansas and new mexico [url=http://xwl.in/cruises/ask-a-question-about-cruises]ask a question about cruises[/url]
travel agent on line training http://xwl.in/tour/chartered-boat-tour-vision-statements
[url=http://xwl.in/travel/travel-tourism-history]documents needed for children to travel to mexico[/url] dj markotis interplanetary travel [url=http://xwl.in/airline/i-want-a-job-in-kuwait-airline-as-flight-attendant]i want a job in kuwait airline as flight attendant[/url]
gia travel insurance http://xwl.in/hotel/authentic-japanese-hotel-tokyo gay travel brussels [url=http://xwl.in/map/map-diagram-latitude]map diagram latitude[/url]

Anonymous said...

extra wide shoes http://www.thefashionhouse.us/cream-women-color68.html wwwchanel surfing [url=http://www.thefashionhouse.us/xl-jeans-size6.html]designers and architects ofallon il[/url] pick the best running shoes
http://www.thefashionhouse.us/shoes-type4.html preppy fashion [url=http://www.thefashionhouse.us/north-sails-polo-shirt-for-women-sky-blue-item1897.html]about seth raynor golf designer[/url]

Anonymous said...

clutch for 2006 dodge ram 3500 http://xwm.in/pontiac/chilton-repair-manua1994-pontiac-grand-am dodge ram speaker not working
[url=http://xwm.in/pontiac/used-1999-pontiac-montana]run pieces auto[/url] dodge grand caravan sale sacramento [url=http://xwm.in/geo/geo-drama-mehndi-wale-haath]geo drama mehndi wale haath[/url]
auto manaul http://xwm.in/daihatsu/daihatsu-terios-breakers
[url=http://xwm.in/yamaha/forwar-controls-for-yamaha-vmax]volkswagen company structure[/url] complete auto glass [url=http://xwm.in/harley/calgary-canada-harley-davidson-shop]calgary canada harley davidson shop[/url]
mercedes 811 d http://xwm.in/freightliner/freightliner-clothing
[url=http://xwm.in/fuel/types-of-hydrogen-fuel-cells]full auto sks[/url] bottle jacks for automobile lifts [url=http://xwm.in/chrysler/coleman-chrysler-jeep]coleman chrysler jeep[/url]

Anonymous said...

children of men movie free [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_dam_busters/]the dam busters[/url] hitman movie http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_troy/ absence of malice jouranalistic movie
free bj movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_how_the_other_half_live/]how the other half live[/url] dave chapelle movie http://moviestrawberry.com/hqmoviesbyyear/year_1967_high-quality-movies/?page=1 taboo 2 movie
movie hellraiser pinhead [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_cabin_boy/]cabin boy[/url] codecs for smart movie
movie swhark [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_all_about_eve/]all about eve[/url] glen beck movie recommendation http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_quick_and_the_undead/ good halo movie editing software
jackass the movie soundtrack [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_one_eyed_monster/]one eyed monster[/url] norman ok movie theater http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_family_jewels/ north to alaska movie