He is One of the Most Recognizable Figures in the Western World, but His True Appearance is Lost to Time
Experts say that every image of Jesus seen today is almost certainly inaccurate. Jesus is often depicted with flowing locks, a long beard, and robes, but historians believe that Jesus would have looked typical of any ordinary Judean citizen. Dr. Meredith Warren, a senior lecturer on biblical and religious studies at Sheffield University, suggests that Jesus comes from a family of manual labor, and he would have worn a simple knee-length tunic and a woollen mantle, not a toga like Roman citizens.
In fact, Jesus would have had dark skin, brown eyes, and short curly hair, much like the people of the region. He would have worn a short, knee-length tunic tied at the waist, with a thick woollen mantle, and typical leather sandals. The only accurate aspect of modern depictions is that he would have been strong and lean due to manual labor and poor diet.
The concept of Jesus’ appearance is often linked to the cultural era, with later depictions of Jesus featuring long hair and beards as a symbol of wisdom, while earlier representations show a more subdued appearance. Dr. Joan Taylor, professor of Christian origins at King’s College London, suggests that long hair and beards in ancient Judaism signified a special vow or abstinence from wine, which Jesus did not observe.
The earliest depictions of Jesus show a clean-shaven figure with short, curly hair, which aligns with the fashion of the time. The image of Jesus as we know it today is more about cultural and artistic expression than historical accuracy. While the Bible does not provide a detailed description of Jesus’ appearance, experts have pieced together a more accurate picture of what he might have looked like, including dark skin, brown eyes, and a wiry build.
The article also highlights the work of medical artist Richard Neave, who used forensic techniques to reconstruct the face of a first-century Judean man based on Semite skulls found in archaeological excavations. The result shows a wide face, dark eyes, a bushy beard, and short, curly hair, giving a glimpse into what Jesus might have looked like.
