Was Jesus black? | GotQuestions.org

Hi there! Many others, like you, have asked, was Jesus black? Let's find out, shall we? You can also discover more on GotQuestions .org. There are some groups, usually affiliated with some form of the black Hebrew movement, who fiercely argue that Jesus was black.

Jesus’ Jewish Identity and the Limits of Speculation

While this goes directly against the fact that the Bible declares Jesus Jewishness, meaning he likely had light to dark brown skin, ultimately the discussion and argument misses the point. Does it really matter that we know the color of Jesus' skin, whether he was black, yellow, brown, or white?

Though this may be a controversial issue for some, the truth is we simply don't know what the color of Jesus' skin was. While there are countless references to Jesus being Jewish, as that was his heritage, the Bible provides little, if any, description of what Jesus might have looked like.

It is the prophet Isaiah who gives us the best description of the physical appearance of Jesus. If Jesus' skin color and complexion were important, then God would have told us about them. Furthermore, to presume that Jesus is of one color or another is to speculate on information not found within the scriptures.

As such, it is useless speculation at best. So, what should we concern ourselves with when it comes to Jesus? Peter tells us his divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who has called us by his own glory and goodness.

The Gospel, God’s Impartiality, and Life in Christ

In other words, Christ has called us to a life of glory and moral excellence. Both here on this earth and in heaven, we are to live pure and righteous lives for his glory. It is his glory and goodness that attract man to seek life and godliness in him, not his looks or his skin color.

Peter also tells us that God does not show favoritism, but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. Jesus calls for us to go into all the world and teach the gospel, showing us that there are no cultural or racial barriers in his message.

Paul echoes this in his letter to the churches in Galatia. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. The color of our Savior's skin has no bearing on our sharing the gospel, nor does the color of the hearer's skin.

The Unchanging Message of the Gospel

In conclusion, Paul may have changed his method of teaching whenever he entered a new culture or foreign land, but he never changed his message. He kept preaching regardless of the color of his listener's skin.

The truth of the gospel still reaches into the hearts of those who yearn to know God, whether they are black, white, yellow, or brown. It's not Jesus' skin color or that of our neighbor that matters in our eternal destiny.

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