hit counter html code

Experts claim description of Jesus in the Bible is ‘completely off the mark’ as they reveal what he really looked like

The image you probably have in your head of what Jesus looked like is probably wrong.

Jesus Christ is one of the most recognizable and famous faces across the Western corner of the world, but experts are now saying our interpretation of the Son of God is way off the mark.

Unfortunately, there were no phones or cameras to snap a sneaky picture of the religious preacher back in his heyday around 27 to 29 AD, leaving historians to theorize that he looked like…well, like most other Judean men at that time.

This is how most of us imagine Jesus looked (Getty Images)This is how most of us imagine Jesus looked (Getty Images)

This is how most of us imagine Jesus looked (Getty Images)

They say it is unlikely the holy figure donned white robes, given this was seen as women’s clothing at the time, nor did he have pale skin coupled with long, flowing brown hair and a beard to match.

In reality, Jesus was ethnically Judean, coming from the region known today as Palestine, meaning his hair was more likely to have black curly hair than brown straight locks.

If fashion in the first century AD also played a part in his get-up, Jesus would have had a beard but kept it on the shorter side.

Joan Taylor, professor of Christian origins at King’s College London, told Daily Mail: “To have long hair and a long beard signalled something in ancient Judaism – that you were keeping a special vow and not drinking wine.

“Jesus was actually accused of drinking too much, so he was not keeping such a vow.”

He probably looked nothing like this (Getty Images)He probably looked nothing like this (Getty Images)

He probably looked nothing like this (Getty Images)

What’s more, some of the very first images created of Jesus showed he preferred to sport a trimmed and neat look.

Paintings from the first half of the third century AD in a church in Syria suggest he had short hair above his collar and a clean-shaven face.

Yet historians say the artefacts reveal more about the culture of the time than what the miracle prophet looked like.

Professor Taylor said long hair on men in the first century AD was considered ‘rather unseemly.’

Fast forward to the fourth century AD, however, and depictions of Jesus started showing him with long hair and a beard.

Dr Meredith Warren, senior lecturer on Biblical and religious studies at Sheffield University, also told the news outlet that the artists might have altered Jesus’ looks based on perceptions, by linking him with powerful Roman gods, like Apollo and Zeus, to create the ‘all-powerful Christ.’

The fact Jesus liked wine probably played a part in his appearance (Getty Images)The fact Jesus liked wine probably played a part in his appearance (Getty Images)

The fact Jesus liked wine probably played a part in his appearance (Getty Images)

Dr Warren also says he would have had ‘brown skin, brown eyes, like the local population’ and, since he died before reaching 40 and spent a lot of time outdoors, he probably had ‘lines’ on his face.

The Bible also infers Jesus blended in among the crowds – like when Judas has to point Jesus out to soldiers amongst a crowd and when Mary Magdalene mistakes him for a gardener.

In other words, he wasn’t particularly distinctive from other Judean men at all.

However, surprisingly, historians say depictions of a rather ripped and lean-looking JC are probably right, saying he was far from a ‘couch potato.’

Dr Warren said his chiselled image isn’t ‘completely off the mark’, given his background in manual labor and long periods of travel and walking.

However, while he most likely did have washboard abs, the bulging biceps probably came from the God-like fantasy of Jesus.

Professor Taylor added: “He and his disciples essentially lived on hospitality, charity and they shared food, so I don’t think he ate that much. I see him more as wiry than bulky.”

F

Related Posts

From Abandoned Farm Relic to Dream Home: How a Rusting Silo Became a Stunning Retreat

A quiet drive along Highway 50 toward the heart of rural Kansas slowly strips away the noise of modern life. Traffic thins, phone signals weaken, and wide-open…

Jacqueline Kennedy’s Granddaughter: How a Subtle Legacy of Elegance, Style, and Smarts Continues

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis remains one of the most enduring figures in American history, not because of spectacle, but because of the composure and depth she carried through…

In the kitchen of our new home, I found a rack the size of a regular oven. What could it be?

The Mystery of Odd Finds in New Homes Moving into a new home often comes with excitement—and surprises. Recently, someone shared a story about finding a peculiar…

Decoding Green Lights on Cars: What Drivers Need to Know

Green Lights on Cars: What You Need to Know In recent years, drivers and pedestrians may have noticed more colored lights on vehicles. While red and blue…

How Today’s Lifestyle Shapes Your Health Tomorrow: Insights from Research

As adults move through their late twenties and early thirties, lifestyle studies—especially those involving cannabis—often spark dramatic headlines. But the actual research is usually much more measured….

How One Man Turned a Free Find Into a Stunning Masterpiece

It’s no secret that flea markets and secondhand shops hold a special kind of magic. For many, the thrill lies in the possibility of finding a hidden…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *