Jesus - God with No Face

jesusno1

'Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image' - 2nd Commandment

Although Jesus in the New Testament has no physical description, Christians have always been creative when it comes to drawing how they imagine God to be through various images, artwork, statues and idols.

The table below details the development of Jesus' face over 6-stages in the first 400 years of Christianity.
W Depiction_of_Jesus

Stage 1 of 6
Jesus, a 'Jewish Prophet'   (No Image) 0-33 AD (Jesus' Crucifixion)
It is clear from scriptural and historical evidence that the early Church had no images of Jesus.
The early Church had always been strict in forbidding the adoration of images and therefore did not want Jesus' face to be memorable Claudine Chavannes-Mazel. Popular Belief and the Image of the Beardless Christ, Visual Resources, Vol.19, No.1, p.29
Stage 2 of 6
Jesus, a 'Messiah'   (No Image) 34-239 AD
Early Jewish-Christians faithfully observed the 10 Commandments, and applied the Second Commandment to Jesus. For some Jewish-Christians, Jesus was God, and therefore it was forbidden to illustrate him.
[In first century] Idol worship was interwoven with life in every department. Images stood in every house to receive adoration; libations were poured out to the gods at every festival; with every civic or provincial ceremony the images were worshiped. In such forms the [early] Christians would take no part. Jesse Lyman Hurlbut, Historian. The Story of the Christian Church, 1970, p.41
Stage 3 of 6
Jesus, a 'Good Shepherd' 240-256 AD
Images of Jesus began to appear around 240-256 AD. Artists who lived over 200 years after Jesus, had never met him or his disciples, began to draw Jesus for the first time ever.

The earliest images of Jesus portray him as a 'Good Shepherd' holding a lamb. He is a young, physically fit, beardless man.
Why was Jesus portrayed as a Shepherd?
Plagarizing images from Graeco-Roman pagan art was a common theme and a popular way of associating familiar Christian icons with previous historical, and often mythical personalities.

Unsurprisingly, Jesus the shepherd images were discovered in the catacombs in Rome, and not in Judea or Asia Minor, where the majority of early Jewish-Christians lived.

The early images of Jesus borrow from Greco-Roman pagan art where a shepherd image was visioned as a symbol of philanthropy André Grabar, Origins of Christian Iconography, pp. 218-219
Stage 4 of 6
Jesus, a Graeco-Roman God 257-337 AD
After Emperor Constantine's conversion to Christianity in 325 AD, more detailed artistic representations of Jesus began to be appear in churches. Jesus was modelled on Rome's vision of a 'great God'.

Though there continued to be resistance, the use of icons and images won out and became entrenched in the Christianity that originated from Rome and Byzantium. Early artwork retained an artistic links with historical pagan images and traditions.

The Greco-Roman customs of worshipping deities through statues and images had became central to Christianity. The earlier Jewish-Christian values of refraining from depicting God, and observing the Jewish 2nd Commandment had failed.
Emperor Constantine converts to Christianity
After Constantine converted, the religion of Christianity changed forever. Most historians acknowledge the influence of various pagan gods and dieties on the early images of Jesus.
After the conversion of Constantine all the barriers [to the use of images] were broken down Paul Johnson. Historian. A History of Christianity, pp. 102-103
The representation of Christ as the Almighty Lord on his judgement throne owed something to pictures of Zeus Henry Chadwick, The Penguin History of the Early Church, 1967, p. 283
Jesus' representation as a version of Apollo or Helios in the Vatican necropolis demonstrates the way the Roman gods were directly challenged; Jesus usurps their place, often with iconographic attributes that make him quite similar in appearance to various pagan deities Robin Jensen, Understanding Early Christian Art, 2000, p. 120
When Christ is given a youthful, beardless face and loose, long locks it assimilates him into the company of Apollo and Dionysus. Insofar as he copied the look of Apollo or Dionysus, he assumed something of their feminine aspect as well Thomas Mathews, The Clash of Gods, 1993, pp. 126-128
The clean-shaven visage more resembles the representations of Apollo or the youthful Dionysus, Mithras, and such semi-divines or human heroes as Orpheus, Meleager, and even Hercules. A youthful appearance recalls the divine attributes most associated with personal savior gods Robin Jensen, Understanding Early Christian Art, 2000, p. 119
Stage 5 of 6
Jesus, a 'Heavenly Judge' God 338-400 AD
To glorify the wisdom and power of Jesus as 'Heavenly Judge', artists turned for inspiration to the more powerful and authoritative gods in the Roman pantheon, such as the Roman version of Zeus, Jupiter, Neptune and Serapis.

Rome and Byzantium adopted the Christian faith and began the 'systemic' introduction of icons, saints, images, idols and statues across all aspects of Christianity, Churches and religious architecture.
Why did Jesus have a beard?
Gods in the Roman pantheon often had long hair and beards, to distinguish them from mortals and symbolize their wisdom and authority.
A full-bearded face suggests authority, majesty, and power and may be seen in the portraits of the senior male deities of the Roman pantheon - Jupiter and Neptune, or even the Egyptian import, Serapis. The mature and bearded figure perhaps emphasizes Jesus' sovereignty over the cosmos. Here Christ takes Jupiter's place in the pagan pantheon, and the iconography makes that displacement explicit Jensen, pp. 119-120
Why did Jesus have long hair?
Jesus was drawn with long hair as the male gods of the Greco-Roman pantheon almost always were depicted with long hair.
In Greek and Roman art loose, long hair was a mark of divinity. In letting his hair down Christ took on an aura of divinity that set him apart from the disciples and onlookers who are represented with him Thomas Mathews, The Clash of Gods, 1993, pp. 126-127
Towards the end of the fourth century, the use of images in the churches became general. People began to prostrate themselves before them, and many of the more ignorant to worship them. The defenders of this practice said that they were merely showing their reverence for the precious symbols of an absent Lord and his saints George Fisher, History of the Christian Church, 1915, p. 117
It was only after Constantine, about the time of Damasus (305-384 AD), that the picture of Jesus was changed from the youthful wonder-worker to the royal or majestic Lord. At that time, Jesus shifted more to a bearded, elderly, dominant figure Graydon F. Snyder, Ante Pacem: Archaeological Evidence of Church Life Before Constantine, p. 298
Stage 6 of 6
Jesus, a 'Young Man' God 400 AD-Today
Images of Jesus are everywhere and found in churches, catacombs and even on robes worn by priests. The images continue as 'best attempts' by artists who base their creativity on preconceived ideas and notions.
What is the image of Jesus today?
Today, Jesus art depicts him as a youthful, physically fit, somewhat effeminate, long-haired man. But the actual image depends on which country and ethnicity you belong to. The image of Jesus 'the Man-God' has been customized to respect the local customs and culture of the Christian community.

To view images of Jesus from across the world, click here Jesus - God with 99 Faces


Islam forbids the drawing of Jesus, or any other Prophet
Islam strictly forbids drawing images or illustrations of any Prophet of God. As it involves detracting from their status and showing disrespect to them. It is a transgression against their dignity and undermines the Prophets as the best of God's creation.
  Share Article if you found it useful
8085 views · 5 hrs ago |   Author: Guest   •   Updated: 01 Oct 2019
ALL ARTICLES ARE INTENDED FOR GENERAL EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. ALL INFORMATION IS BELIEVED TO BE CORRECT, ACCURATE AND TRUTHFUL. YOU ARE ADVISED TO DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH. ARTICLES ARE LIVE DOCUMENTS AND MAY BE UPDATED WITH NEW CONTENT AT ANY TIME. WHERE AVAILABLE, SOURCES AND REFERENCES ARE CREDITED. IF YOU SPOT ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS OR GIVE FEEDBACK KINDLY CONTACT US WITH DETAILS
169-jesus-no-face

0  Videos with 'Jesus+face'
Watch Video 
NAVIGATE ARTICLES
ORDER: Article Title A-Z
Articles
All Articles (154)
10 Commandments - Bible vs Quran
22597 views · 4 hrs ago
10 Commandments - Christian vs Muslim
14740 views · 4 hrs ago
10 Red Heifers (Cows)
15794 views · 3 hrs ago
5 reasons Abraham sacrificed Ishmael
13077 views · 5 hrs ago
Abrahamic Religions
17419 views · 1 hr ago
Angels - 41 Angels from the Abrahamic Religions
20092 views · 4 hrs ago
Are you a Muslim?
42119 views · 4 hrs ago
Arius vs Bishop Athanasius
17085 views · 4 hrs ago
Bible - 12% of New Testament copied from Old Testament
12241 views · 5 hrs ago
Bible - 18 Ego Eimi (I AM) statements, like John 8:58
16286 views · 5 hrs ago
Bible - 27 Verses on Yahweh, Elohim(s) and The Gods
18213 views · 5 hrs ago
Bible - 400 NT Jesus Prophecies copied from OT
9637 views · 5 hrs ago
Bible - 75 Verses on drinking Wine & Alcohol
16399 views · 5 hrs ago
Bible - Exodus 3:14 Translations
12024 views · 5 hrs ago
Bible - King James (KJV) & 37 'Disputed' Verses
9883 views · 5 hrs ago
Bible - Lost Books of the Bible
10554 views · 5 hrs ago
Bible - Mark 16:9-20 Text Analysis
11133 views · 5 hrs ago
Bible - Matthew 28:19: Greek vs Hebrew
18291 views · 3 hrs ago
Bible - Pagan Texts in the Bible
9992 views · 5 hrs ago
Bible - Revelation, A Forgery
10984 views · 5 hrs ago
Bible - Scholars on John's Gospel
10986 views · 3 hrs ago
Bible - The Synoptic Problem
10615 views · 5 hrs ago
Bible - Violence & Killings
9548 views · 5 hrs ago
Bible Authors: Who Wrote It?
11374 views · 4 hrs ago
Bible Errors - 672 Variants
10272 views · 4 hrs ago
Bible History - KJV vs NIV
11474 views · 4 hrs ago
Bible NT - 55% of New Testament Papyrus contain under 3% of Biblical Text
9964 views · 5 hrs ago
Bible NT - Codex Sinaiticus exposes 312 year gap since Jesus crucifixion
10779 views · 5 hrs ago
Bible NT Canons - Church Fathers, Councils & Apocrypha
8073 views · 5 hrs ago
Bible OT - Dead Sea Scrolls expose a 1303 year gap since Moses life
8420 views · 5 hrs ago
Bible OT Canons - Church Fathers, Councils & Apocrypha
8605 views · 5 hrs ago
Bible Verses - KJV vs NIV
11677 views · 5 hrs ago
Blasphemy Laws in 35 Christian Countries
8180 views · 5 hrs ago
Book Burnings in Roman, Catholic and Protestant society
12778 views · 2 hrs ago
Catholic vs Protestant - Bible
9925 views · 4 hrs ago
Catholic vs Protestant - Christianity
10867 views · 2 hrs ago
Child Abuse & Grooming Gangs (UK)
7220 views · 5 hrs ago
Child Abuse, Sexual Crimes & Prison Figures (UK)
9053 views · 2 hrs ago
Child Marriage - Muhammad married 9-year old Aisha
18381 views · 5 hrs ago
Christian Heresies
9867 views · 5 hrs ago
Christian: 28 Heretical Sects
11200 views · 5 hrs ago
Christian: 32 Church Denominations
7872 views · 5 hrs ago
Christianity: Founded by Paul on Road to Damascus, Syria
9390 views · 5 hrs ago
Church Councils
9338 views · 21 secs ago
Church Fathers - Quotes from 18 Men of God
10256 views · 3 hrs ago
Church Fathers on Jesus Divinity
11938 views · 5 hrs ago
Codex Sinaiticus & Vaticanus - Corruption in the KJV Bible books
15646 views · 18 mins ago
Codex Sinaiticus & Vaticanus - Corruption in the KJV Bible verses
13571 views · 1 hr ago
Constantine and Christianity
12954 views · 5 hrs ago
Constantine, Nicaea and History
10527 views · 5 hrs ago
Council of Nicaea 325 AD
10890 views · 5 hrs ago
COVID deaths vs Other Causes
5660 views · 5 hrs ago
COVID: 7 Medical Studies on why Face Masks fail
6329 views · 5 hrs ago
COVID: Lockdowns & Contact Tracing in 78 Countries
9499 views · 5 hrs ago
COVID: Monthly UK deaths compared over 5 Years (2015-20)
6267 views · 2 secs ago
COVID: Weekly UK deaths compared over 5-Years (2015-20)
5736 views · 5 hrs ago
Did Jesus pray to God or Allah?
18244 views · 5 hrs ago
God (Allah) - His Names & Attributes
13395 views · 5 hrs ago
God vs Allah
11483 views · 5 hrs ago
God, Evidence For
7985 views · 5 secs ago
Gods & Roman Emperors
8013 views · 5 hrs ago
Gods - 6 Dying & Rising Mythical Gods
13101 views · 5 hrs ago
Gods - 60 Pagan deities in the Bible
28312 views · 1 hr ago
How do Muslims pray?
13137 views · 5 hrs ago
Ishmael and Isaac in Bible and Quran
16667 views · 4 hrs ago
Islam: Biggest Threat to Europe?
6820 views · 5 hrs ago
Islamic Countries. Who are they?
8173 views · 5 hrs ago
Jesus - 91% chance he was a fictitous Mythical-Hero (Raglan Scale)
9235 views · 5 hrs ago
Jesus - 17 'Crucified' Savior Gods
8608 views · 4 hrs ago
Jesus - Crucifixion in the Gospels
9913 views · 4 hrs ago
Jesus - Crucifixion Timing
9755 views · 4 hrs ago
Jesus - God of 99 Faces
15499 views · 5 hrs ago
Jesus - God with No Face
8085 views · 5 hrs ago
Jesus - Resurrection in the Gospels
8764 views · 4 hrs ago
Jesus - Resurrection Theories
9142 views · 4 hrs ago
Jesus - Sons of God
12641 views · 5 hrs ago
Jesus and the 12 Disciples
14088 views · 3 secs ago
Jesus in the Quran
11015 views · 4 hrs ago
Jesus on the Cross or Tree?
11502 views · 5 hrs ago
Jesus the God
12935 views · 5 hrs ago
Jesus the Jewish Prophet
10725 views · 20 secs ago
Jesus the Muslim
11301 views · 5 hrs ago
Jesus the Son of God
8185 views · 4 hrs ago
Jesus the Sun-God over 12 Zodiac Star Gods
25688 views · 5 hrs ago
Jesus vs Isaac - The Sacrifice
12726 views · 4 hrs ago
Jesus vs Jonah & Whale
11669 views · 4 hrs ago
Jesus vs Krishna
16130 views · 4 hrs ago
Jesus vs Paul
12269 views · 5 hrs ago
Jesus vs Romulus - 50 Reasons both are Mythical Gods
12882 views · 5 hrs ago
Jesus vs Zeus
30645 views · 4 hrs ago
Jesus was 30, 40 or 50 years old?
13922 views · 5 hrs ago
Jesus, 12 Disciples and Paul Interview
11330 views · 4 hrs ago
Jesus, from Iesous and Yeshua
12901 views · 4 hrs ago
Jesus, Serapis & 7 Pagan Gods
28509 views · 4 hrs ago
Jewish Laws & Rituals
8940 views · 4 hrs ago
Judaism - Maimonides 13 Principles of Jewish Belief
10695 views · 5 hrs ago
Mark, Matthew, Luke and John
14072 views · 5 hrs ago
Messiah - His Aims & Objectives
8567 views · 5 hrs ago
Messiah - Jesus?
8936 views · 20 secs ago
Monotheism vs Polytheism
9087 views · 4 hrs ago
Muhammad - Most Influential Man in History
11297 views · 5 hrs ago
Muhammad in Bible: He is is altogether lovely - Song 5:16
17944 views · 5 hrs ago
Muhammad in Bible: Kedar rejoice and Sela sing - Isaiah 41/42
22240 views · 5 hrs ago
Muhammad in Bible: Prophet like unto Moses - Deuteronomy 18:18
21693 views · 18 secs ago
Muhammad in Bible: Select Verses
12672 views · 4 hrs ago
New Age - Alice Bailey's 10 Point Charter
19467 views · 5 hrs ago
Nicene Creed - Council of Nicaea 325 AD
11027 views · 5 hrs ago
Nicene Creed - Foundation of Christianity
8501 views · 5 hrs ago
Noahide Laws
10372 views · 5 hrs ago
Palestine and Creation of Israel in 1948
14454 views · 23 secs ago
Paul - 50% of his Writings are Inauthentic Forgeries
9158 views · 5 hrs ago
Paul copied 152 Old Testament verses
8389 views · 5 hrs ago
Paul vs James
10252 views · 8 secs ago
Prophets - Sinful Beings in the OT Bible
8164 views · 5 hrs ago
Prophets of God
52717 views · 5 hrs ago
Prophets were Sinners?
22517 views · 5 hrs ago
Purpose of Life
9557 views · 5 hrs ago
Quran - 5 Recitations: Hafs, Warsh, Hisham, Qalun & Al-Duri
18344 views · 5 hrs ago
Quran - A Mathematical Miracle
18738 views · 4 hrs ago
Quran - Chapter & Verse Miracle
9023 views · 4 hrs ago
Quran - Comparing Hafs & Warsh for 51 textual variants
61899 views · 4 hrs ago
Quran and Violence
11687 views · 4 hrs ago
Quran refers to Torah & Gospel
17190 views · 5 hrs ago
Quran vs Science
10865 views · 4 hrs ago
Roman Calendar
11531 views · 35 mins ago
Roman Emperors in Bible
6833 views · 5 hrs ago
Rome, Caesar & Emperors in the Bible
9521 views · 1 hr ago
Sin Atonement: Jesus Blood vs 21 Offerings
5063 views · 5 hrs ago
Terrorism, the Risk to Americans
7234 views · 5 hrs ago
The Lost Gospels
13351 views · 5 secs ago
The Prophets Prayer
11504 views · 19 mins ago
Timeline of Bible
8197 views · 15 mins ago
Timeline of Church Councils
10025 views · 5 hrs ago
Timeline of Muhammad
8795 views · 3 hrs ago
Timeline of New Testament Bible
10936 views · 6 hrs ago
Timeline of Old Testament Bible
11710 views · 6 hrs ago
Timeline of Prophets
35904 views · 52 mins ago
Timeline of Quran
18496 views · 3 hrs ago
Timeline of Roman Empire
9066 views · 5 hrs ago
Timeline of Trinity
9443 views · 4 hrs ago
Torah - Did Moses Write It?
10620 views · 4 hrs ago
Torah - Wellhausen/JEDP Theory
11125 views · 5 hrs ago
Trinity - 13 Three God Pagan concepts
11538 views · 4 hrs ago
Trinity - 27 Attributes of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost
15395 views · 4 hrs ago
Trinity - 4 Creeds: Apostles, Nicene, Athanasian to Chalcedon over 418 years
12039 views · 4 hrs ago
Trinity - Different Views
10177 views · 25 mins ago
Trinity - Three Are One
10519 views · 1 hr ago
Trinity in the Bible
8925 views · 4 hrs ago
UN Agenda 21/2030: 17 Sustainable Goals of the New World Order
8304 views · 3 hrs ago
War - 46 Major Conflicts ranked by Religion
10405 views · 3 hrs ago
War - 67 Bloody Christian Conflicts
7829 views · 4 hrs ago
War - From Yinon, 9/11 to Springs, Invasions, ISIS & 6M Dead
10490 views · 4 hrs ago
What does LGBTQ+ mean?
8183 views · 5 hrs ago
Women in Religion
10732 views · 5 hrs ago

Submit Article


Latest videos  •  4,952 videos  •  0 viewed/24 hour
About Us  |  Help/FAQ  |  Contact Us    •    Terms  |  Privacy/Disclaimer
Be Informed on Social :      Facebook Page  |    Twitter  |    Youtube
MuslimProphets.com is an educational website on the Prophets of God: Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad, who established the Abrahamic faiths of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. MuslimProphets.com explores contemporary social themes through Scripture, Evidences, Photo, Video, Maps, Current Affairs, Debate and 'alternative' Views held by Theologians, Apologists, Scholars and Street Preachers. Take a Site Tour

In accordance with Islamic etiquette, all prophet names should be followed with 'Peace Be Upon Him (PBUH)'. This is omitted to minimise text.

DISCLAIMER: All website content is for general information and educational purposes only and available in the public domain. Whilst all information comes from sources believed to be reliable, this cannot be guaranteed. External links are provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only. They do not constitute endorsement or approval for any products, services or comments by organizations or individuals. Title and Text links may be edited for external SEO, internal site and keyword search purposes. We bear no responsibility for the accuracy, legality, or content found on any external website or its subsequent links. Unless indicated, all images and content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License distributed by Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, Pixabay, Pxhere, Pexels, Unsplash, Flickr and others. All Torah, Psalms, Old and New Testament Bible quotes are from the King James Version (KJV) Holy Bible in the public domain. All Quran quotes are from Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali/Muhsin Khan English Quran translation. You are invited to always conduct your own research. If you spot any mistake, error or omission of information, contact us so we can correct it.