The Scientific Search for the Face of Jesus

Frank Adams, Tucson, Arizona.

What did Jesus look like?
If you were standing in a room full of people and were told that Jesus was in the room,
would you recognize him? How would you pick him out the crowd?

By his clothes? But suppose everybody in the room was wearing a long flowing toga?

By his beard? But suppose all the men in the room would be wearing beards?

Adams bases his description of Jesus on three ancient manuscripts:
A letter from Publius Lentulus, a roman, to the Senate in Rome.Pontius Pilate`s letter to Tiberias Caesar (before Pilate met Jesus face to face at his trial) A report by Gamariel, a Jewish teacher to the Sanhedrin.

Publius Lentulus:
He is a tall, well-proportioned man and there is a severity in his countenance whichattracted love and reverence. His hair is the color of new wine, from the roots to theears and thence to the shoulders. He has never been to laugh but has been observed
to weep. He talks little but with great quality.

Pontius Pilate:
One day in passing the place of Siloe. I observed in the midst of a concourse of peoplea young man leaning against a tree, calmly addressing the multitude.I was told it was Jesus. His golden-colored hair and beard were a contrast between
him and his hearers with their black beards.

Gamaliel:
He is the picture of his mother although his hair is a little more golden. He is tall and his shoulders are a little drooped. His eyes are blue. He is not a great talker unless there issomething brought up about heaven and divine things when his eyes light up with
peculair brilliancy.

Adams notes in his book that the descriptions of Jesus given by Publius Lentulus andGamaliel both speak of him as being tall, although Adams says "The average heightof mankind at this period was somewhere around 5 feet and under."