Originally posted by Bro. Ruben:
What I only knew was that He’s a carpenter (am I right?); climates here in the Middle East are terribly harsh especially during summer, so having such a job Jesus might be bit dark in complexion, also maybe long haired and bearded.
The word "carpenter" in the Greek typically referres to stone carpentry, or, as we would refer today, a stone cutter. We think of Jesus as a carpenter as though he would have been a Bob Vila type woodworker. But 1st century capenters dealt with stone work. So that idea lends credence to the idea that Jesus would have had a somewhat muscular build.
As for complexion, Jews of that region had a complexion similar to Arabs. Dark, but not black. As for the beard and long hair, that was the custom for men in those days (though they didn't consider their hair to be long).
I’m sure He’s muscled because He won’t be able to carry the cross that long if He was not and having been beaten, scourged and punished prior to the ascent at Calvary.
It was common practice for cricifixion victims to carry their own beams, regardless of their stature. So the fact that he carried his cross is not difinitive to his stature. Now, in Jesus' case, he likely was beaten along the way, again, as was common practice. But, notice that he fell numerous times, and they had to get a stanger out of the crowd to carry the cross for him. Again, it's not difinitive either way.
But being handsome is a different matter
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That's something we simply don't know. We know that Jesus had the ability to blend into a crowd and disappear. That might suggest that Jesus wasn't noticeably ugly, but also not handsome to the point where he drew attention to himself. Other than that, it's really speculation.
surely He needs an appealing look for His public ministry.
Again, not difinitive. In fact, in at least one place, he has to shout "Listen!!" to get the attention of the crowd, suggesting that people weren't listening to him.
Sounds comical but how can one imagine of Peter and the other disciples calling Him “Lord” if Jesus looks repulsive and hideous?
They actually called him "master" (translated "Lord"). But they did so because they loved him, and they were his friend. I certainly hope that my own friends do not esteem me based on my looks, or I wouldn't have a prayer. My wife thinks I'm very good looking, but she's biased.
Let’s accept it, God looks at the heart but man on the outside.
I think stangers look at the outside, but friends look at the inside. Hey, just look at John Hagee, Alan Greenspan, and Bill Gates. Not exactly the best looking folks, yet people listen to them.