Despite being the son of God, many scholars describe Jesus’ look as shabby. This topic is worth discussing since Clothing has been a significant part of human history since the time of Jesus. What many people want to understand is what did Jesus wear?
The Bible implies that Jesus wore different kinds of attire and different times in his life. When he was a baby, he wore swaddling clothes, as explained in Luke 2:7. When he was crucified, John 19:23 explains that he wore an undergarment called a tunic. Mark 15:17 says that Jesus’s enemies dressed him in a purple robe right before they crucified him. Though the Bible does not state that Jesus ever wore a head wrap, a crown of thorns is mentioned in John 19:2-3.
How does the Bible describe Jesus’ clothes? What did Jesus wear as a baby? What did Jesus wear when he was crucified? These are some of the questions that this article will cover. By the end of it, one can also learn the kind of shoes that Jesus wore. Read on to find out more!
How does the Bible describe Jesus’ clothes?
Different references in the gospels indicate what Jesus wore. John 19:23 indicates that Jesus wore a seamless tunic when he was crucified. This verse says that when the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier and his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.
The Bible also suggests that sometimes Jesus wore fringes of the garment that were common among the Jews. Matthew 9:20 says, And behold a woman who suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment. Based on this verse, some Christians think that since Jesus was a Jew, he followed the Mosaic law concerning dressing.
This verse also correlates with Mark 6:56, suggesting that Jesus wore fringes of the garment that Jews wore. The verse says, And wherever he came, in villages, cities or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they may touch even the fringe of his garment and as many touched it, were made well. The appearance of Jesus shows that Jesus aligned himself with the poor.
What did Jesus wear as a baby?
When Jesus was a baby, the Bible indicates that he wore swaddling clothes, as mentioned in Luke 2:7. This verse says, And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Swaddling cloths are bands and cloths that can help a baby transition from the womb to the outside world. In ancient times, most infants were wrapped in swaddling clothes like bandages.
The angel that spoke to the shepherds mentioned swaddling clothes as part of the sign to the shepherds that they had found the Messiah. Luke 2:12 says, And this will be a sign for you; you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.
What did Jesus wear when he was crucified?
The Bible says that before the crucifixion, the soldiers put a purple robe on Jesus to mock him. This is explained in Mark 15:17, which says, And they clothed him a purple cloak and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him.
John mentioned that Jesus had a tunic when he was crucified, as explained in John 19:23. Tunics were famous pieces of undergarments during ancient times. They featured arm-length sleeves and extended down to the knees or feet. This verse also indicates that Jesus’ tunic was made of one piece of cloth. This was unique since most tunics then were made of two pieces sewn at the sides and shoulders.
Some Christians believe that wearing a basic tunic like everyone else signifies how Jesus was detached from material things. In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus says, Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourself treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys and thieves do not break in and steal. For your treasure is, there your heart will also be.
What did Jesus wear after he was resurrected?
After Jesus was crucified, the Bible says Pilate permitted Joseph of Arimathea to oversee Jesus’ burial. This is explained in Luke 23: 50-52. Joseph took Jesus’ body and wrapped it in linen cloths, as explained in Luke 23:53.
But when Jesus was resurrected on the third day, he did not appear to his followers in the linen cloths that he was buried in. Luke 24:12 says, But Peter rose and ran to the tomb, stopping and looking in, he saw the linen clothes by themselves, and he went home marveling at what had happened.
Though the Bible does not specify what exactly Jesus wore after he was resurrected, some scholars believe that he wore ordinary clothes after he was resurrected since people did not recognize him. The Book of John 20: 11-15 explains that when Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene outside the tomb after he had been resurrected, she mistook him for a gardener.
What kind of robe did Jesus wear?
The Bible suggests that Jesus wore a seamless robe. Some people called this the Holy Robe or the Honorable Robe. Mark 15:17 explains that Jesus’ enemies dressed him in a purple robe before crucifying him to mock him since he claimed to be the King of the Jews.
During this time, purple was a kingly color, and dressing him in a purple robe was a way to humiliate him. Luke 23:11 describes the robe Jesus wore as gorgeous, while Matthew 27:28 calls it a scarlet robe.
His enemies did not understand that Jesus was not only the King of the Jews but also the King of Kings. 1st Timothy 6:15 verse says, which he will display at a proper time, he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
What kind of shoes did Jesus wear?
Mark 1:7 suggests that Jesus wore sandals. In this verse, John the Baptist mentions that Jesus had sandals when he declared his unworthiness concerning him. The verse says, And he preached saying After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.
The book of Luke 3:16 also implies that Jesus wore sandals. This verse is not very different from Mark 1:7 since it says, John answered them all saying, I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. In the first century, sandals were made of either leather or wood and featured straps.
Did Jesus wear a head wrap?
There is nowhere in the Bible that mentions Jesus wearing a head wrap. The only occasion that the Bible mentions Jesus was wearing something on his head is during his crucifixion. He wore a crown of Thorns, as explained in John 19:2-3. Many Christians believe that this crown of thorns signifies Jesus’ humility. He traded his heavenly crown for a crown of shame and suffering.
Though some people think that Jesus covered his head in praying, nothing in the scripture describes him this way. Those who disagree with this view quote 1st Corinthians 11:4, which says, Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head.
Though Jesus resided in the land of Israel during the first century, the Bible does not mention him wearing a head wrap or even a kippah. The Jewish residents between the third and fifth centuries adopted the custom of covering the head. Since the Bible does not state that Jesus wore a head wrap, some Christians believe it is not necessary to wear one, even when praying.
References
- The Crucifixion
- What does it mean that baby Jesus was wrapped in swaddling clothes
- Crown of Thorns
- What does the Bible say about Clothing
- Why do we wear a Kippah
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
