Why is Jesus usually shown as white and blue-eyed instead of Middle Eastern?

[Anonymous]

[BCRanger10]

Because every culture, race, and ethnicity throughout history has always portrayed Him, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Apostles, and the Old Testament prophets as among their own...

13 Beautiful Non-White Depictions of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The link above, for the record, is NOT exhaustive.

[Lliam]

Because the Italian painters who depicted Jesus during the renaissance used their wealthy patrons as models. Hence the facial features, skin color, hair and trimmed facial hair style.
Or, they idealized Jesus' image to fit their culture.

[Anonymous]

Probably because most western "Christians" would have a heart attack if they were forced to admit they were following the teachings of a man they would want deported.

[NoDecision]

I don't know, because Jesus was a Jew. Maybe you are seeing a picture of his resurrection body that would make him look perfect?

[jahaims]

Jews in the middle east at the time weren't white

[NoDecision]

@jahaims True, and I'm sure Jesus was not white either. But honestly, we have no pics from back then as to what they really looked like. It's all speculation.

[OneViewpoint]

Because Europeans wrote the King James Bible and painted the pictures. We always create our gods in our own image.

[DryGermanGuy]

There are enough white and blue-eyed people in the Middle East…

[Iron_Man]

This is the picture that most people recognize him by

[Anonymous]

Why? Because the pink/white people can't handle the truth that Jesus was a tan/white person or possibly even darker, so they portray him the way they want him to look just to say ´´ See, he looks like me´´

[Screenwriter]

People make their gods in their image.

[slatyb]

Because he was created by white people.

[Agape93]

Becauss his appearance is modeled on cesare borgia

[AngryCarl3]

The church was founded in Rome. Nuff said.

[FrodoSkywalker007]

I've seen all versions