Man-Made Images of Jesus: Are They Biblical?

Here we are going to attempt to address the question "are images of Jesus biblical?"

Because we are often asked to design and print Gospel flyers that contain images, we felt it would be good to address this in one place. Throughout history, artists have sought to depict Jesus Christ in paintings, sculptures, and illustrations. These images have become a prominent part of Christian art and worship across the world. But an important question arises: Are images of Jesus Biblical? Should Christians use drawings or illustrations of what Jesus supposedly looked like, or does this contradict Biblical teaching? This article will explore both perspectives on this subject, weighing the arguments for and against such representations.

Reasons for Using Images of Jesus (though not exactly Biblically based)

1. Educational and Evangelistic Purposes Some argue that images of Jesus can help in teaching and evangelism. Visual representations can make Biblical stories more accessible, particularly to children and those who struggle with literacy. Illustrations and films about Christ’s life help many understand His ministry and sacrifice more vividly.

2. Artistic Expression and Worship From the early church to modern times, Christian art has played a role in worship and devotion. Many see artistic depictions of Jesus as an act of reverence, much like how the Psalms use poetry to glorify God. If such images are intended to honour Christ rather than to be worshipped, some believe they serve a meaningful purpose.

3. Cultural Representation Different cultures have depicted Jesus in ways that reflect their own people, making His message feel more personal. While no one knows exactly what Jesus looked like, these representations can serve as reminders of His universality and relevance to all nations.

Reasons Against Using Images of Jesus

1. The Second Commandment One of the strongest arguments against making images of Jesus is rooted in the Ten Commandments. Exodus 20:4-5 states: “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them...” While some argue this applies mainly to idols, others believe it includes all attempts to visualise God, including Jesus, who is divine. However, it's important to note that the prohibition is not against making images but rather against worshiping them. If it were a ban on all images, then no form of artistic representation would be permissible, and even the Ark of the Covenant—with its God-commanded cherubim—would be considered sinful. Thus, the commandment may be understood as forbidding the worship of images rather than their mere existence, unless we conclude that God commands sin.

2. A Distorted or Misleading Representation Since no detailed description of Jesus is provided in Scripture, all detailed images are speculative. Many traditional depictions show Him with European features, despite Him being a Middle Eastern man. This can create false perceptions and mislead people about His true identity.

3. The Analogy of a Departed Wife Consider a man whose wife goes away for a long period, leaving no photograph behind. If he were to create an illustration based on his imagination or use an image of another woman to remember her by, how accurate or respectful would that be? If she were to return, how would she feel about these false representations? Likewise, since Jesus has not left us with an actual visual image of Himself, is it right to create one from human imagination? Would He approve of being represented by inaccurate depictions? Note: This position assumes that the wife would be offended, so is rather subjective. It's important to note here, that in Revelation 1:13-16 for example, there is a description of what Jesus looks like in glory. So this would then cause us to imagine within our minds how He looks (to one degree or another).
   

4. Risk of Idolatry Even if an image of Jesus is initially intended as a teaching tool, there is a risk of it becoming an object of veneration. Throughout history, people have bowed before statues and paintings, sometimes attributing to them divine power. This is a clear violation of Biblical teaching, which commands that worship be directed to God alone.

   
   

Conclusion

The question, Are images of Jesus Biblical? remains a topic of debate among Christians. While some believe that artistic representations serve an educational and cultural purpose, others argue that they contradict Biblical principles, misrepresent Christ, and risk idolatry.

Ultimately, each believer must prayerfully consider whether the use of Jesus’ images aligns with God’s will. What remains undisputed, however, is that faith in Christ should be based on the truth of Scripture, not on man-made interpretations of His appearance. As Christians, our focus should be on His teachings, His sacrifice, and His promise of salvation rather than on an earthly image that cannot fully capture His divine nature.

Do you have any thoughts on this subject? Share in the comments below!

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