Hal, this is one time I'll agree with your main point. Isaiah 53:2 says that he had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. Most Bible scholars attribute this chapter as prophesy about Jesus, the Messiah. This then would suggest that he was not the handsome man that Hollywood likes to present in movies. I've watched most of the Hollywood biblical movies, and it frustrates me how the vast majority of them deviate from the historicity of the Bible at will and unnecessarily. It shows their disbelief in its authority and disrespect for its historical accuracy. It's not surprising then that they'd want to make Jesus into their own view of what he ought to be. Hugh, your shroud relevance is an interesting point and a reasonable finding worth considering. I too saw a TV special recently detailing the flawed study that was last done concluding a late date for the cloth sample taken. There's clear evidence that there are two cloths composing the shroud due to repairs, and that the sample taken was from a damaged, repaired corner that would not accurately represent the large portion of the original. Thus, the jury's still out on valid dating for the shroud. It may or may not be the real thing from Jesus, but I wouldn't claim any percentage beyond 50/50 - although that would be exciting odds for such a significant artifact. Using your presumption, I'd still say that the shroud makes Jesus look like a mighty handsome man. In truth, it doesn't matter, so long as we agree that he was a man and not a woman. I expect that'll be disputed before long.
http://blog.godreports.com/2012/01/for-child-art-prodigy-akiane-jesus-is-for-real/. Here's a picture of a more accurate Jesus in my opinion. Now this would be be what Jesus looks like in His glorified body. The link to this picture is above and it's a really interesting story for those inclined to read it.
To me this image seems more feasible. If Jesus is as loving and kind as they say he is in the bible...that face alone speaks volumes to me. I don't get that same impression from Hal's photo.
We all have been influenced over the years as to what Christ looked liked- therefore I don't think anyone can make an actual composite of his physical being. I think of Him in a spritual form.
Well I can tell you he looked nothing like blue eyed Jeff Hunter in King of Kings or Max von Sydow in The Greatest Story Ever Told. Being middle eastern Jesus was swarthy, with dark hair and eyes. He'd definitely have been heavily bearded. Likely he wore a Sudra ( Hebrew headress) and may even have worn earings.
Yeah, Craig! This is probably closer to the REAL Jesus than anything that Hollywood or famous Artists and Sculptors have forced upon us! We don't need a "pretty boy" as our Saviour! Hal
This is an interesting video that I discovered on my youtube feed this morning. This man used an AI art program, and then quoted scripture for the program to create an illustration from. The scripture that he used was the well-known scene of Jesus in the boat with the disciples, the storm, and Jesus calming the waters. He had to make the interpretations work , like adding the name “Jesus “ when the Bible just said “he” and the AI would not know who the “he” was. It is interesting the pictures that the AI art generated, and he goes through the procedure, and at the end is the result, picture by picture.
Dolores Cannon was a famous hypnotherapist who did past-life regressions over a period of 50 years. If you are open to the possibility of reincarnation, then here is one of her most interesting cases. The client was regressed back to the time of Jesus and claimed she had seen him and been with him for a while. When she came out of the hypnotherapy session, she subsequently, drew an image of what she said Jesus look like. Here is her drawing:
Last month, NewsMax released an article showing the latest image of Jesus reconstructed from best known methods. Here is a link to the article: https://www.newsmax.com/newsmax-tv/...n/2023/04/11/id/1115801/?dkt_nbr=6F0112sufxvz A here is what the NewsMax Jesus looked like:
I doubt that Jesus had a well trimmed beard and a styled haircut or wore mascara as seen in the Newsmax BS drawing.
Dunno John. Jesus Himself stated that He didn’t come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it therefore according to Jewish law, He should have had well trimmed (but unshaven) hair and uncut sideburns and “the beard shall remain uncut by the edges”. The only exception of course would be if He had taken the Nazarite pledge. All that said, it is my belief that we shall all know what He looked like by and by.
Returning to this issue 3 years after my last post, I have learned more and changed my position after watching numerous YouTube videos on the subject. Though skeptic before, I now believe that the Shroud of Turin is "likely" genuine since there's abundant evidence supporting: - its unknown, seemingly impossible reproduction potential by human means, - its evidence of production by supernatural means, and - its historical trail based upon documents, paintings and other related artifacts. On the other hand, the only evidence being offered against the shroud is the carbon dating tests that have been discredited for numerous reasons. I believe the Shroud of Turin is the first real and only secular, scientific evidence of Jesus' death and resurrection. That should make it a serious topic of interest to everyone, Christian or sceptic. To those who want to take another look at the issue, I offer 3 of the most helpful videos I've found on the subject. Given the evidential shroud and its impact upon medieval art, it seems likely that we do have a good idea of Jesus' stature and looks. Not everyone respects that source with their productions, but I'd suggest that images based off the shroud are the most credible ones. This 53 minute video summarizes the issue well: This lengthy video is the best, most comprehensive presentation I've found; it's excellent if you have the time and interest. Finally, this video does an unimpressive but effective job of detailing and discrediting the touted carbon dating tests:
If Jesus had stood out, among the group of 13, then Jesus' betrayal would not have been required. It was dark, and they were not wearing name tags. Jesus blended in with the 12 Disciples, so His Presence which attracted and drew his followers was so much more than physical. The Temple guards couldn't pick him out of the crowd.