# Do most Christians literally think Jesus was a tall white guy with blue eyes? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 17, 2010, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-most-christians-literally-think-jesus-was-a-tall-white-guy-with-blue-eyes/557460 "2010-10-17T17:56:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2010, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-most-christians-literally-think-jesus-was-a-tall-white-guy-with-blue-eyes/557460/102 "2010-10-19T12:26:05Z")
> [@Randy\_Seltzer](#): > > I can only speak to what’s in the scripture of your religion, which seems to disagree with you. I guess that, yes, I am saying that, based on the text I cited above, Jesus was not a “mighty man” in outward appearance. And since this thread is concerned only with his outward appearance, I see no reason to discuss whether he glowed internally with all the colors of the rainbow. I don’t have a religion, I don’t need one, I know God personally. But besides that. mighty man and men of renown doesn’t necessarily mean of great outward appearance, but of great internal spiritual strength as their Spirit is God Himself. Here is Saul’s take on seeing Jesus: > [@](#): > > Acts 9: 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” > > 5"Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. Saul didn’t even know who Jesus was but knew He was Lord, that certainly shows that Jesus was a mighty man. Also that we here on the SDMB still debate and talk about Him 2000 years later testify that Jesus was indeed a mighty man, a man of renown. The reason for His normal appearance for a time is hinted at here: [QUOTE=John 17] 5And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. [/QUOTE] Jesus was made purposely to appear without the glory, without the Son of God side showing for the work He had to complete. But that side was always with Him, just not visible unless revealed. ---
**Author:** ![Waxwinged](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c2a13f/32.png) [@Waxwinged](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waxwinged)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2010, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-most-christians-literally-think-jesus-was-a-tall-white-guy-with-blue-eyes/557460/103 "2010-10-19T13:11:47Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > I also recall years ago coming across the claim that “Jesus was the only man ever born who was exactly six feet tall”. He must have had some difficulty coming out. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2010, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-most-christians-literally-think-jesus-was-a-tall-white-guy-with-blue-eyes/557460/104 "2010-10-19T14:12:59Z")
What I want to know is, six feet tall under which definition of foot? Because, while there were length units called “feet” in many places, they happened to be different lengths. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2010, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-most-christians-literally-think-jesus-was-a-tall-white-guy-with-blue-eyes/557460/105 "2010-10-19T14:49:04Z")
Presumably, the Roman _pes_, which was 296 mm, or 11.65 modern inches. As far as the appearance thing goes, I vote Melungeon. ---
**Author:** ![Find\_Friends](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c37758/32.png) [@Find\_Friends](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Find_Friends)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2010, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-most-christians-literally-think-jesus-was-a-tall-white-guy-with-blue-eyes/557460/106 "2010-10-19T20:50:17Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > Well, that’s accurate. (It might be the only actually accurate thing he said in that argument.) Well, I’d say it’s very likely true that he didn’t speak Latin. But I ran this by a retired teacher (not that he was an authority) and he pointed out something I had not thought of. Greek was predominant in the eastern part of the Roman Empire, with Latin only predominant in the West. But speaking Latin as well as Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic cannot be ruled out entirely. > [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > Another question is if Jesus was illiterate? > I remember a story of him at age 12 impressing rabbis at the temple with how well he understood the law. But I don’t remember it specifically saying that he could actually read the Torah. Nor do I recall any incident in the New Testament where he is recorded as having written anything. It’s possible that he was illiterate. I’m pretty sure from my exhaustive reading of the “New Testament” that nowhere does he or anyone else say that he could read the Torah. There is definitely no reference to him writing anything at all, at least, not in the Bible. There is a very doubtful writing supposedly from some king in the Mideast, offering him sanctuary from his enemies. Since this was in the form of a letter, the implication is that he was writing to the king as well. But all of it seems to me these days to be almost 100% bull. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2010, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-most-christians-literally-think-jesus-was-a-tall-white-guy-with-blue-eyes/557460/107 "2010-10-19T21:03:37Z")
> [@Trans Fat Og](#): > > Well, I’d say it’s very likely true that he didn’t speak Latin. But I ran this by a retired teacher (not that he was an authority) and he pointed out something I had not thought of. Greek was predominant in the eastern part of the Roman Empire, with Latin only predominant in the West. But speaking Latin as well as Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic cannot be ruled out entirely. > It’s possible that he was illiterate. > > I’m pretty sure from my exhaustive reading of the “New Testament” that nowhere does he or anyone else say that he could read the Torah. There is definitely no reference to him writing anything at all, at least, not in the Bible. There is a very doubtful writing supposedly from some king in the Mideast, offering him sanctuary from his enemies. Since this was in the form of a letter, the implication is that he was writing to the king as well. But all of it seems to me these days to be almost 100% bull. Jesus reading the Scriptures in the synagogue~ Luke 4: 15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. 16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. 17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, 18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. 20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. Jesus writing on the ground~ John 8: 6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. 7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. ---
**Author:** ![Find\_Friends](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c37758/32.png) [@Find\_Friends](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Find_Friends)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2010, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-most-christians-literally-think-jesus-was-a-tall-white-guy-with-blue-eyes/557460/108 "2010-10-19T21:18:56Z")
> [@FriarTed](#): > > I still have no problem with the Shroud, if a hoax, to still be a replica of a valid tradition of Jesus’ appearance. And it’s doesn’t show a particularly attractive fellow with a thin nose. More of a hangdog look- David Schwimmer or Jeff Goldblum if you want a Jewish actor, a middle-aged Harry Dean Stanton if a Gentile. > > [Biblical Evidence for Catholicism: Trinitarianism and Christology (Index Page for Dave Armstrong)](http://socrates58.blogspot.com/2006/11/trinitarianism-christology-index-page.html) (I think the artist thins out the nose more than a face-value look at the Shroud justifies.) _(The full site that you linked to is mind-boggling in its ultra-orthodox Roman Catholicism, complete with enough intellectual dishonesty to make any Protestant-based fundie green with envy. But that’s not the point, because you only wanted to link to a site that shows the Shroud. And the subject matter here would require a whole new thread.)_ I just have a question for anyone who suggests that it might possibly be authentic. How the heck would a covering wrapped around a body develop (by whatever conceivable “imprinting” process) \*\*an image that was true to the shape \*\*of the face, and other external body shapes (torso, limbs) for that matter?! _ **- Jack** _ ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2010, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-most-christians-literally-think-jesus-was-a-tall-white-guy-with-blue-eyes/557460/109 "2010-10-19T21:22:15Z")
> [@Trans Fat Og](#): > > How the heck would a covering wrapped around a body develop (by whatever conceivable “imprinting” process) \*\*an image that was true to the shape \*\*of the face, and other external body shapes (torso, limbs) for that matter?! _It’s a M_I_R_A_C_L_E!!_ ---
**Author:** ![Find\_Friends](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c37758/32.png) [@Find\_Friends](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Find_Friends)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2010, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-most-christians-literally-think-jesus-was-a-tall-white-guy-with-blue-eyes/557460/110 "2010-10-19T21:32:47Z")
> [@FriarTed](#): > > Jesus reading the Scriptures in the synagogue~ Luke 4: > > 15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. > > 16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. > > 17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, > > 18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, > > 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. > > 20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. > > 21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. > > Jesus writing on the ground~ John 8: > > 6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. > > 7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. > > 8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. Well, for one thing, in case you haven’t noticed it yet, there’s a lot of clearly \*\*\*made-up crap \*\*\*in your treasured religious-fanatic document. (ETA: I didn’t mean you, but rather the religious fanatics who wrote and edited the various books. 🙂 ) So, while your citations are interesting (I was aware of the ground-writing, but had forgotten the other stuff.) all bets are off with only very unreliable apologetic writings to go on. ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2010, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-most-christians-literally-think-jesus-was-a-tall-white-guy-with-blue-eyes/557460/111 "2010-10-19T22:23:46Z")
Traditionally he’s said to have been a redhead, actually. There’s at least one midrash about it. ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-most-christians-literally-think-jesus-was-a-tall-white-guy-with-blue-eyes/557460/112 "2010-10-20T01:25:20Z")
> [@handsomeharry](#): > > I’m doubtful that any US Christian would think as much, as they have no model upon which to base this. It’s kind of like saying that most Christians think that Moses looked like Charleton Heston. > Most of the references to the blond haired…Jesus are people that have an axe to grind with Christians, and seek to portray them as some sort of band of racists, who will not tolerate a Son of their God as being anything but the Aryan, capitalist, oppressor of the Third World. A ‘straw man’ fallacy? > Best wishes, > hh I’m not sure I understand what you’re accusing me of. I said that while most U.S. Christians are bombarded with pictures of a Caucasian-looking Jesus and so might come up with that mental pictures like that, they’re also aware that these mental pictures are generated by their environment and that a first century Jewish peasant was probably not a white guy. I stated what I believe a portion of a large group believes, and drew no conclusions from that. Where’s the strawman? You could argue that I’m wrong, but stating that my argument is a strawman doesn’t make it so. > [@kanicbird](#): > > Are you saying Jesus was not a mighty man? > > It is apparent from scripture that before His glory Jesus will be despised, after which He will be exalted when God opens their eyes. > > So yes it’s both, He is unremarkable in appearance till God has revealed Jesus as His Son, after which He is made King of everything - sounds like a mighty man to me. This is a cite from a document indisputably written before Jesus was born, and so isn’t much use in a historical discussion of what he looked like. > [@kanicbird](#): > > Here is Saul’s take on seeing Jesus: > Saul didn’t even know who Jesus was but knew He was Lord, that certainly shows that Jesus was a mighty man. Also that we here on the SDMB still debate and talk about Him 2000 years later testify that Jesus was indeed a mighty man, a man of renown. > > The reason for His normal appearance for a time is hinted at here: > Jesus was made purposely to appear without the glory, without the Son of God side showing for the work He had to complete. But that side was always with Him, just not visible unless revealed. The cite from Acts refers to an experience significantly after the Resurrection. I don’t think we can reasonably assume that Jesus appeared in the same way after the Resurrection as he did before it, especially because Acts 9:3 (one verse before your quote) notes that Jesus appears to Saul as a dazzling light from heaven that only Saul (and not Saul’s companions) could see. It’s a big stretch to argue that this is a reason to view Jesus’ physical form as “a mighty _man_.” (emphasis mine) The cite from John is part of a request of Jesus from God. There’s no particular reason to think that God acted on this request, especially since the document in question doesn’t make a claim that God did so. Besides, the request “Glorify me” is extremely vague. This could be something visible, invisible, spiritual, theological… Almost anything. > [@Trans Fat Og](#): > > I’m pretty sure from my exhaustive reading of the “New Testament” that nowhere does he or anyone else say that he could read the Torah. There is definitely no reference to him writing anything at all, at least, not in the Bible. There is a very doubtful writing supposedly from some king in the Mideast, offering him sanctuary from his enemies. Since this was in the form of a letter, the implication is that he was writing to the king as well. But all of it seems to me these days to be almost 100% bull. > [@Trans Fat Og](#): > > Well, for one thing, in case you haven’t noticed it yet, there’s a lot of clearly \*\*\*made-up crap \*\*\*in your treasured religious-fanatic document. (ETA: I didn’t mean you, but rather the religious fanatics who wrote and edited the various books. 🙂 ) > > So, while your citations are interesting (I was aware of the ground-writing, but had forgotten the other stuff.) all bets are off with only very unreliable apologetic writings to go on. So you’ve moved the goalposts from “I’ve read this document and there’s nothing in it to support your claim” to “OK, so the document supports you, but it’s worthless anyway.” I agree with your conclusion that Jesus was probably physically unremarkable, but this is a disingenuous way to argue. ---
**Author:** ![falcotron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3ab097/32.png) [@falcotron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/falcotron)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-most-christians-literally-think-jesus-was-a-tall-white-guy-with-blue-eyes/557460/113 "2010-10-20T05:26:07Z")
1 Samuel 16:12 says David was “ruddy” or “red-haired” in most translations, although some translations say “tanned” or even “healthy” instead. I believe the Hebrew word they’re translating is “admoni”. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-most-christians-literally-think-jesus-was-a-tall-white-guy-with-blue-eyes/557460/114 "2010-10-20T14:37:37Z")
> [@appleciders](#): > > … > So you’ve moved the goalposts from “I’ve read this document and there’s nothing in it to support your claim” to “OK, so the document supports you, but it’s worthless anyway.” I agree with your conclusion that Jesus was probably physically unremarkable, but this is a disingenuous way to argue. Thank you. I hadn’t even seen his response till you called him on this. So much for his exhaustive reading of the NT. ---
**Author:** ![Reno\_Nevada](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Reno\_Nevada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reno_Nevada)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-most-christians-literally-think-jesus-was-a-tall-white-guy-with-blue-eyes/557460/115 "2010-10-20T15:13:02Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > I also recall years ago coming across the claim that “Jesus was the only man ever born who was exactly six feet tall”. You probably encountered that in one of the [Silver John](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_John)stories by Manly Wade Wellman. If yo haven’t read them–you might well enjoy them. ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-most-christians-literally-think-jesus-was-a-tall-white-guy-with-blue-eyes/557460/116 "2010-10-21T03:58:14Z")
> [@FriarTed](#): > > Thank you. I hadn’t even seen his response till you called him on this. > > So much for his exhaustive reading of the NT. Cheers! ---
**Author:** ![rock\_party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e19b73/32.png) [@rock\_party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rock_party)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-most-christians-literally-think-jesus-was-a-tall-white-guy-with-blue-eyes/557460/117 "2010-10-21T06:49:29Z")
Since Jesus was a jew: how come he’s never wearing a yamaka? ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-most-christians-literally-think-jesus-was-a-tall-white-guy-with-blue-eyes/557460/118 "2010-10-21T10:52:28Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > By whom? In the context of, say, the King James Version of the Bible being the best possible translation and containing the literal words & language? > > I’m not being sarcastic here. My father, whose education basically ended at 3rd grade (black man, rural Mississipi, 1940s) has said things along those lines. But a pastor friend of his who should know better has opined things among those lines – and also that this verse > > is a prophecy referring to the largest city in Tennessee. Well, there were many similarities between Jesus and Elvis. Jesus said: “Love thy neighbor.” (Matthew 22:39) Elvis said: “Don’t be cruel.” (RCA, 1956) Jesus is the Lord’s shepherd. Elvis dated Cybill Shepherd. Jesus was the lamb of God. Elvis had mutton chop sideburns. Jesus’ Father is everywhere. Elvis’ father was a drifter, and moved around quite a bit. Jesus lived in state of grace in a Near Eastern land. Elvis lived in Graceland in a nearly eastern state. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2010, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-most-christians-literally-think-jesus-was-a-tall-white-guy-with-blue-eyes/557460/119 "2010-10-21T11:34:31Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > There’s mention of his being light haired when Samuel goes to find him, IIRC. My redheaded youth pastor used to quote some scripture about David having a ruddy appearance, and claimed that meant he was a redhead. Then again, he used it as proof that God had a thing for redheads 😉 ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2010, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-most-christians-literally-think-jesus-was-a-tall-white-guy-with-blue-eyes/557460/120 "2010-10-22T03:39:36Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > My redheaded youth pastor used to quote some scripture about David having a ruddy appearance, and claimed that meant he was a redhead. > > Then again, he used it as proof that God had a thing for redheads 😉 Then again, there’s Esau, another alleged Biblical redhead. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2010, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-most-christians-literally-think-jesus-was-a-tall-white-guy-with-blue-eyes/557460/121 "2010-10-22T12:28:30Z")
> [@appleciders](#): > > I’m not sure I understand what you’re accusing me of… You could argue that I’m wrong, but stating that my argument is a strawman doesn’t make it so. A. I am not/wasn’t accusing you of anything, and B. I wasn’t even aware that you had an argument. Just stating my IME, generally. Nothing against you, just noodling around the topic. Best wishes, hh [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-most-christians-literally-think-jesus-was-a-tall-white-guy-with-blue-eyes/557460.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-most-christians-literally-think-jesus-was-a-tall-white-guy-with-blue-eyes/557460.md?page=7)