Monday, May 2, 2016

The Real Face of Jesus; What Did Jesus Look Like?

            The most famous face in human history is always under intense scrutiny. What did Jesus really look like? Was Jesus fair, black or brown? Was Christ handsome?

            The most familiar image that adorns many Christian homes is that of a fair Jesus with long flowing light brown hair and light-colored eyes. Had Christ possessed these facial attributes, HE would have appeared very different from HIS disciples and everyone else in the Galilee-Judea-Samaria region.

            But scholars dispute this version of Christ, for Matthew 26: 48-50 reveals that Christ appeared very similar to HIS disciples. Christ looked so similar to HIS disciples that Judas Iscariot had to kiss Jesus for the Roman soldiers to identify Christ from among HIS other disciples.

            Recently, the media proclaimed that British forensic anthropologists and Israeli archaeologists have apparently recreated Christ’s face. Esquire.com reveals the identity of lead scholar in this project, “Richard Neave, a medical artist retired from The University of Manchester in England…The co-author of Making Faces: Using Forensic And Archaeological Evidence, Neave had ventured in controversial areas before. Over the past two decades, he had reconstructed dozens of famous faces, including Philip II of Macedonia, the father of Alexander the Great, and King Midas of Phrygia. If anyone could create an accurate portrait of Jesus, it would be Neave.”1

            Richard Neave’s team strived to reconstruct Christ’s face through the following steps: 2

            1. They acquired 3 well-preserved Semite skulls from the Israeli archeology experts.  These skulls were excavated from near Jerusalem.

            2. Neave used computerized tomography and special computer programs to study the minute features of these skulls especially with reference to the thickness of soft tissues at key areas of human faces. They then recreated the muscles and skin overlying the representative Semite skull. These results were verified with anthropological data.  

            3. The researchers built a digital 3D construction of the face.

            4. Cast of the skull was created and “layers of clay matching the thickness of facial tissues specified by the computer program were then applied, along with simulated skin. The nose, lips and eyelids were then modeled to follow the shape determined by the underlying muscles.”3

            5. Researchers deduced that Jesus probably had short hair because:

                        Paul had seen Jesus (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:8).

                        Paul criticized men with long hair (1 Corinthians 11:14).

            Hence, Jesus may not have had long hair, for if Christ had long hair, then Paul would not have criticized men with long hair.

            6. Researchers also concluded, in keeping with historical records and Jewish tradition, that Christ probably had dark eyes and was bearded.

            Neave did not believe that he recreated Christ’s face, “Neave emphasizes that his re-creation is simply that of an adult man who lived in the same place and at the same time as Jesus” 4 But Neave’s work is considered as lot closer to the truth than the works of the past.

            But does it matter? Do we need to debate over whether Christ was fair or dark or whether HE had long hair or short?

            Isaiah 53:2 offers an insight into Christ’s looks, “…He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.” So Christ need not have been fair or even handsome. Christ was a Jewish male, so HE would have certainly possessed the physical attributes of the Jews. However, Christ’s physical appearance is totally irrelevant to us.

            What then is relevant?

            That outside of Christ there is no salvation for anyone, as it is said in John 14:6, “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

            What then should we do?

            Christianity is true. Christ’s existence and HIS resurrection are proven facts. Very minimally, the Bible is infallible (trustworthy).

            So believe in Christ and be saved, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” (Romans 10: 9-10, NIV).

Endnotes:

1 http://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/a40399/jesus-real-face/

2 Ibid.

3 Ibid.


4 Ibid.

11 comments:

Sarah said...

True.. doesn't matter how Jesus looked.

But the very thought creates a sea of emotions.. don't even know what all involves when we say we would see Him face to face. But we will.

Raj Richard said...

True Sarah....so true...

Revelation 1: "13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance."

Sarah said...

Unlike the domesticated Jesus, isn't it?

We just learned thru a book by Dr. Bruce Metzger that we need to use a very disciplined imagination in understanding apocalyptic literature. A very good book.

Raj Richard said...

True, Sarah. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

Unknown said...

I think it DOES matter for the following reasons.
1. Man is shallow. We have a shallow sense of what beauty is. Learning that Jesus was average looking or "below average" would certainly speak volumes to someone who grew up only seeing "beautiful" people as worthy. Even those who think they value heart over looks are often a bit shallow without even admitting it to themselves.
2. Similarly, how different would the racist history of America (and other countries) been if Jesus had been portrayed with dark skin. Would all of the caucasians who used the bible to justify torture of minorities since the beginning been able to last as long? It would have changed religion as we know it.
3. The original depictions of Jesus (as a light-skinned, flowing-haired european, was probably created out of love. When you love something, you tend to see it a certain way. They created him as this beautiful man because on the inside, that is what he was. However that only speaks to the limited idea of what beauty is.
Jesus is more than his looks. However, to dismiss it and call it irrelevant is naive and short-sighted.

Ruth nikam said...

Praise the Lord.but whatever he has done this image but people are using in different manner.they standing infront of image and praying thinking of God..yes I am not against of image but it's going against of 1st commandment.Jesus didn't come to this world so image he came to show the way.99.9% Christian people are doing idol worship.How then we should tell other's not to do idol worship.

Unknown said...

Jesus is more than his looks. However, to dismiss it and call it irrelevant is naive and short-sighted. Well you are half right, but I do not care if he appears to me dark or light skinned, I am sure he would be recognized either way.

adamtheman said...



FOR IT IS WRITTEN: (Genesis 5:1 AMP) THE HOLY BIBLE IS THE BOOK that tells the story when JESUS THE GODHEAD, THE ALMIGHTY CREATOR “formed” Adam, “‘eth-ha-'adham" a distinct “formation” of [MAN] in (Genesis 2:7-22). JESUS THE GODHEAD “formed” Adam [THE MAN] in the image of [HIMSELF] through [HIS] 100% PURE [WHITE STOCK SEED LINE]. The Holy Bible is the “written record” of Adam’s [SEED LINE or GENERATIONS], Adam’s [WHITE RACE], and Adam’s [WHITE DESCENDANTS] “ONLY.” The “ADAMIC” [WHITE RACE] was “formed” in the image of JESUS THE GODHEAD. (Genesis 5:1 AMP). “I AM not sent but “ONLY” to the lost sheep of the house [ADAMIC ISRAEL].” (Matthew 15:24). “Hear this word that the LORD hath spoken to you, O children of Israel, You “ONLY” have I loved of all the families of the earth. (Amos 3:2). “I say then, Hath God cast away HIS own people? God forbid. For I also am a [WHITE] ISRAELITE, of the seed of ADAMIC Abraham, of the tribe of ADAMIC Benjamin.” (Romans 11:1).

ADAMIC or Adam [THE MAN] means: #119, #120, #121 #122, #219, #1305, #1588, #3835, #4899, #6703, 100% pure white stock race, the chosen, the elect, the remnant, the Christians, ruddy-white skin, red lips, can turn flush, able to blush in the face, rosy pink cheeks, having a fair (white) countenance, bright white, laban, ivory, white as snow, “without spots,” (not a negro) golden, clean, purified, with black brown red to blonde hair, with emerald green to dazzling sapphire blue eyes as the fish pools of Heshbon.

truth fruits said...

i believe the phrase “His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace” are His shoes! I have seen His Face, and my 5 years old son, He is very handsome and beautiful! I do believe His Glorify Form is different from His Earthly form, this is why many times over after His resurrection, people did not recognize Him!
“Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have put Him, and I will take Him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). (‭John‬ ‭20‬:‭15-16‬ MEV)
“On the evening of that first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. The disciples were then glad when they saw the Lord. (‭John‬ ‭20‬:‭19-20‬ MEV)
“When the morning came, Jesus stood on the shore. But the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. (‭John‬ ‭21‬:‭4‬ MEV)

Ahmedxafar28 said...

How disgusting. Jesus was clearly a brown, middle eastern man. You twat. And he would reject you outright as being a worthy follower. I should know. We've met.

anitawill said...

The idea that Christ was white gives an incorrect illusion of what the Word of God says about His countenance. I have never witnessed a caucasian with white (yes) but not wooly hair and feet like bronze. Bronze is much darker than white. So are you saying the Word of God is not true. Take a look at the paintings in the caves of old. The people were painted with a darker skin tone. Why would they be painted with a darker hue if they were white. Actually, I'm not so concerned about his hue as I am concerned about salvation through Jesus Christ. I am a born again believer, not of some of the bible, but all of it. I want to live with Jesus one day and I don't care what race He is! Glory!!!!!!!