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Is Jesus a black or a white?

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— Delali (Ghana)

Well Jesus was neither black nor white. Although the Bible doesn't mention the specific colour or skin appearance of Jesus, the Bible emphatically points to Jesus' Jewishness. It's clear Jesus was born and lived Jewish. This would mean He was either a light or dark brown Middle Eastern in skin appearance. In John 1:11, Bible says Jesus “came to his own” (i.e. His people, or people like him). If Jesus had an appearance distinct from the Jews then, it won't be right to say he came to people like him. Also in Isaiah 53:2, Jesus' earthly appearance as he grew up is described. The verse says, Jesus grew up “like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.” Here also Jesus is described as not having any form of distinct or outstanding appearance that would have caused anyone to “look at him”—nothing to attract special attention to him. He was just like any normal Jew walking around in his day. If it wasn't for His anointed teachings and demonstration of God's power, no one would have taken notice of Him.

This makes good sense why the writers of the gospel accounts will not waste time to describe Jesus' skin or statue appearance. It's like when I say I'm an African, it's normal for everyone to imagine my shade or skin colour without elaborate description. Unless my skin looks distinctively different than the average African, they would be no need for me to further write to describe my skin. The same way, the Bible points Jesus as Jewish and leaves it there.

There are some though who needlessly argue that Jesus was black. But there is nowhere in all the 1189 chapters of Bible that this can be found. All such arguments are speculations outside Bible facts. But we must, as Christians, not devote ourselves to “myths”, “endless genealogies” and “speculations” (1Timothy 1:4). Others take the figurative description of Jesus in John's vision of him in Revelation 1:14,15 as literal description of Jesus' feet. Claiming that therefore Jesus is black. If we are to go by that then we are to take the other descriptions in those verses literal. That would mean Jesus literally has sharp two-edged sword in his mouth. That is wrong.

The fact that the Bible doesn't at all mention Jesus' skin colour is proof that Jesus' it has no value/place in the matters of the importance of his life and mission.

The Bible spends a good enough record on other aspects of Jesus' personalities, like his character, his power and divinity, his core values, his belief in scripture and his relationship with God The Father and the Holy Spirit, and His death, burial and resurrection, to name a few. These are far more weightier and of value for research than the skin appearance of Jesus.

If this question resonates with you, you’re not alone.

You’re welcome to submit your own question about Jesus—anonymously or by name—using the Ask Me Anything About Jesus form. Some questions are answered privately; others are shared publicly so more people can learn and grow together.

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