Jesus and Race: A Look at the Controversy

Throughout history, Christians have quarreled over Jesus’ race and its effect on our religion. For example, many argue that Jesus was a Palestinian Jew in order to support an Eastern identity, while others point to his Greek physical features and suggest he was of Mediterranean stock. What is the truth? In this article, we’ll explore the answers to this controversial topic.

The Controversy over the Race of Jesus

The controversy over the race of Jesus has been ongoing for thousands of years. On one hand, some view Jesus as a Jewish man from the Middle East, and thus believe his teachings and experiences should be seen through that lens. Others claim Jesus was born of Mediterranean stock, as evidenced by his physical features, such as his long hair and eyes. Despite this debate, there is general consensus that Jesus was a middle-class person from the Roman-controlled region of Palestine.

The Historical Evidence

Though the debate on Jesus’ race is ongoing, there is some evidence to suggest his ethnicity was near Eastern. In the Bible, Jesus is described as being called a “Nazarene,” which was an insult to many Jews of the time. This could suggest he was of a Jewish-born sect living in the Middle East. Additionally, there are records of another person with the same name and same age as Jesus who was born in the nearby city of Nazareth and moved to Egypt, which was another sign of a Near Eastern ethnicity.

The Evidence in Portrayals of Jesus

If we look back to paintings, sculptures, and other artwork depicting Jesus, we can get a glimpse of his likely physical makeup. The vast majority of artwork implies Jesus was a dark-haired, dark-eyed man, which does line up with a northern Mediterranean or Middle Eastern heritage. This is further evidenced by the fact that Jesus’ ancestors were from the Middle East, specifically from Judah and Benjamin.

Conclusion

Ultimately, we cannot definitively answer the question of Jesus’ race. Though much of the evidence points to Near Eastern origin, there are numerous interpretations of Jesus’ race. Thus, it is up to each person to draw their own conclusion and attempt to reconcile this issue within their faith.