What Did Jesus Look Like?

The answer, of course, is that we don’t know.

We do know that Jesus was probably in his early 30s when he began his ministry and would not have had long hair.

It’s fair to assume that Jesus had a beard, in light of first-century Jewish culture and tradition—though Scripture doesn’t say this explicitly. (Isaiah 50:6 says the suffering servant, ultimately exemplified in Jesus, has his beard plucked out, but the NT doesn’t cite this).

Isaiah’s messianic prophecy suggests that there was nothing unusually attractive about him (“he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him,” Isa. 53:2)—though it’s taking it too far to say that he was thereby unattractive or homely.

He was a Galilean Jew who spent a lot of time outdoors, so his skin tone would likely be a darker olive color, as is typical of those in Mediterranean countries.

In December 2002 Popular Mechanics did a cover story called “The Real Face of Jesus.” The positioning of the piece was obviously sensationalistic. But it was nevertheless quite interesting. Using “forensic anthropology” scientists and archaeologists combined to investigate what a first-century Galilean Semite might have looked like, with medical artist Richard Neave commissioned to do the rendering. The article describes the process:

The first step for Neave and his research team was to acquire skulls from near Jerusalem, the region where Jesus lived and preached. Semite skulls of this type had previously been found by Israeli archeology experts, who shared them with Neave.With three well-preserved specimens from the time of Jesus in hand, Neave used computerized tomography to create X-ray “slices” of the skulls, thus revealing minute details about each one’s structure. Special computer programs then evaluated reams of information about known measurements of the thickness of soft tissue at key areas on human faces. This made it possible to re-create the muscles and skin overlying a representative Semite skull.
The entire process was accomplished using software that verified the results with anthropological data. From this data, the researchers built a digital 3D reconstruction of the face. Next, they created a cast of the skull. 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.

How tall would a first-century Jew be? “From an analysis of skeletal remains, archeologists had firmly established that the average build of a Semite male at the time of Jesus was 5 ft. 1 in., with an average weight of about 110 pounds.” I admit that it feels a bit strange to think of being over a foot taller than Jesus! But it’s good to have our cultural preconceptions—even prejudices—challenged.

Of course no depiction can tell us what Jesus looked like for sure. But the following rendering is undoubtedly closer to reality than the typical rendering by artists and film-makers:

Hi Metmom,

Good to cross threads again - hope all is well w/ you n yours.

I can understand being skeptical but the Shroud is unique in history and without any way to scientifically explain and/or re-produce it. It is one of the few things, uniquely catholic [?] that I still cling to from my upbringing. As far as only Catholic tradition [possibly they just happen to end up with an authentic relic?] the Bible does mention both a shroud and facial burial cloth and was also traditional to Jewish burial history.

If it helps your faith any [I was either taught at a young age or always imagined] the image was burned into the cloth as Jesus was bodily resurrected, so maybe most all the disfigurement on the facial image was miraculously restored. Well God is all-powerful and everything miraculous does require that leap of faith, doesn’t it? The science does indicate the body of the image was badly beaten and had all the markings of a crucifixion.

Also have you watched the link I provided on my previous post in this thread? The new scientific research and findings are absolutely astounding imho.

Another thing, I now find my self realizing if his looks before and after resurrection are completely transformed [I do expect all of us to be recognizable to other fellow believers but completely transformed, sanctified and perfected but uniquely and Godly - in every way upon death and resurrection] - so wouldn’t that apply all the more for Jesus earthly image of either average or lesser appeal before to one as perfected like the little girl drew. If ‘the eyes be the windows to the soul’ then Jesus eyes would be truly beautiful, unique and dazzling beyond description.

Also if God offered to ‘take your picture’ - would you want it to be before or after a similar bodily resurrection?

Just thinking out loud but also I don’t think anyone should consider this image a violation of the 2nd commandment - man didn’t create it and it is an abstract image of the Christ not God [the 1st person of the trinity]...

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