Images of Jesus have been a part of religious art for centuries, each one reflecting different cultural and theological perspectives. Whether depicted in traditional or modern ways, these images often inspire faith, devotion, and a connection to the divine.
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What Does The Bible Say About Images Of Jesus
Exodus 20:4-5
“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God.”
This verse highlights the commandment given by God to not create or worship images of Him. God desires our worship and devotion to be directed towards Him alone, and not to be placed on any created image.
Creating images of Jesus goes against this commandment, as it can lead to idolatry and the worship of a physical representation, rather than focusing on the spiritual relationship we are called to have with God.
John 4:24
“God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
This verse emphasizes the spiritual nature of God. Since God is spirit, our worship of Him should not be focused on physical representations, such as images of Jesus, but rather on a spiritual and genuine connection with Him.
Worshipping in the Spirit and in truth means seeking a deep and personal relationship with God, guided by His Word and the prompting of the Holy Spirit, rather than relying on external forms or images.
1 Timothy 1:17
“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”
This verse acknowledges the invisible nature of God. He is the only God, eternal and immortal, who should be honored and glorified always.
While images of Jesus may be created with good intentions, they can never fully capture the divine and invisible essence of God. Therefore, our focus should always be on honoring and glorifying God in His true nature, rather than relying on physical representations.
Matthew 15:9
“They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.”
This verse warns against empty and vain worship. When we put excessive emphasis on physical images, it can lead to a form of worship that is based on human traditions and rules rather than truly connecting with God.
Worshipping images of Jesus can distract us from the essence of worship, which should be authentic, heartfelt, and centered on a personal, spiritual relationship with God.
Colossians 1:15
“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.”
This verse refers to Jesus as the image of the invisible God. He is the perfect representation of God’s nature and character, as He is fully God Himself.
While Jesus’ physical appearance is not described in the Bible, His life, teachings, and actions reveal the true nature of God to us. Instead of relying on physical images, we can seek to know and understand God through Jesus, who is the perfect image of the invisible God.
Romans 1:23
“and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.”
This verse condemns the act of idolatry and worshipping created images. It warns against exchanging the glory and worship of the immortal God for false representations, including those made in the likeness of humans, birds, animals, or reptiles.
Creating images of Jesus falls into this category, as it can lead to replacing the worship of God with the veneration of a physical representation.
Deuteronomy 4:15-16
“You saw no form of any kind the day the Lord spoke to you at Horeb out of the fire. Therefore watch yourselves very carefully, so that you do not become corrupt and make for yourselves an idol, an image of any shape.”
This verse recounts the encounter of the Israelites with God at Mount Horeb. They were explicitly told that they did not see any physical form of God during that encounter.
It serves as a cautionary reminder for us not to create idolatrous images or idols of any shape, including images of Jesus, as it can lead to corruption and a departure from the true worship of God.
John 10:30
“I and the Father are one.”
This verse expresses the unity between Jesus and God the Father. In essence, Jesus is proclaiming His divinity and oneness with God.
Rather than focusing on physical representations, our worship and devotion should be directed towards the unity and oneness of the Triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Isaiah 2:8
“Their land is full of idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their fingers have made.”
This verse speaks of a land that is filled with idols. It describes people who bow down and worship the objects they have created with their own hands.
Creating and worshipping images of Jesus can lead to a similar idolatrous mindset, where we put our trust and devotion in the physical representation rather than in the true, invisible, and eternal God.
John 14:9
“Jesus answered: ‘Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?'”
In this verse, Jesus explains to Philip that seeing Him is equivalent to seeing the Father. Jesus is the perfect representation of God the Father, and through His life and teachings, we can come to know and understand the nature of God.
Instead of relying on physical images, we can seek to encounter and know God through Jesus Christ, who reveals the Father to us.
Acts 17:29
“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill.”
This verse reminds us that as human beings, we are created as God’s offspring. Therefore, we should not think or imagine that God can be represented by physical materials such as gold, silver, or stone, which are products of human design and skill.
Creating images of Jesus limits our understanding and perception of God, as it reduces His divine nature to a tangible form, hindering us from experiencing the fullness of who He truly is.
2 Corinthians 4:4
“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”
This verse refers to the glory of Christ, who is described as the image of God. It highlights how the devil, the god of this age, tries to blind the minds of unbelievers, preventing them from seeing the light of the gospel and recognizing the true image of God in the person of Jesus Christ.
We must be cautious not to contribute to this blindness by substituting the true image of God with physical representations that can distract from the beauty and truth of the gospel message.
Romans 12:2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
This verse encourages believers not to conform to the pattern of this world, but instead, to allow their minds to be transformed by God. Through the renewing of our minds, we can discern and understand God’s will, which is good, pleasing, and perfect.
Conforming to the practice of creating and revering images can hinder our ability to fully comprehend God’s will and can divert our attention from His true nature and purpose for our lives.
Luke 4:8
“Jesus answered, ‘It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’'”
In response to Satan tempting Him, Jesus quotes the commandment to worship only the Lord our God. This instructs us to worship God alone and not to place our worship on any created object, including images or representations of Jesus.
Our focus should be on worshiping and serving God with our whole hearts, rather than being distracted by physical images that may lead us away from true worship.
Isaiah 42:8
“I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols.”
In this verse, God declares that He will not yield His glory to another or His praise to idols. He is the one true God, and His glory and praise should be directed toward Him alone.
Creating images of Jesus can inadvertently divert the glory and praise that belong to God alone, potentially leading to the idolatrous veneration of the image rather than the worship of the true and living God.
2 Corinthians 3:18
“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
This verse reminds us that as believers, we have the opportunity to contemplate the Lord’s glory without veils or physical representations. Instead, we can enter into a transformational relationship with Him, being progressively conformed into His image through the work of the Holy Spirit.
Our focus should be on seeking the transformation of our own hearts and minds according to the image of Christ, rather than relying on external images to understand or represent Him.
Habakkuk 2:18-19
“Of what value is an idol carved by a craftsman? Or an image that teaches lies? For the one who makes it trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Come to life!’ Or to lifeless stone, ‘Wake up!’ Can it give guidance? It is covered with gold and silver; there is no breath in it.”
This passage clearly states the futility and worthlessness of idols and images made by human hands. They are unable to speak, guide, or possess any divine attributes. Trusting in these creations is a form of deception and a departure from true worship.
Creating images of Jesus can be seen in this light, as human attempts to represent the divine through physical forms fall short of capturing the true essence and nature of God.
1 Corinthians 6:19
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;”
In this verse, Paul addresses the Corinthian believers, reminding them that their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. As followers of Christ, we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and our bodies belong to God.
Instead of focusing on physical representations, we should honor God by living in obedience to His Word and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in and through us, recognizing that our bodies are His sacred dwelling place.
1 John 5:21
“Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.”
In his letter, John urges believers to guard themselves against idols. This includes not only physical idols but also any unwarranted representations or objects that might hinder our pure devotion to God.
We should heed this exhortation and refrain from creating or worshiping images of Jesus, redirecting our focus to the worship of the true and living God.
Ephesians 2:10
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
This verse reminds us that as believers, we are the workmanship of God, created in Christ Jesus for the purpose of doing good works that God has prepared for us.
Instead of fixating on physical representations, let us focus on fulfilling the calling and purpose God has laid out for us, using our lives as a testimony of His love and grace.
2 Corinthians 5:7
“For we live by faith, not by sight.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of living by faith rather than relying on physical sight. Our relationship with God is based on trust and belief in Him, rather than on tangible or visible representations.
While images of Jesus may seem to provide a visual aid, we are called to rely on our faith and the prompting of the Holy Spirit to draw nearer to God, trusting in His unseen presence and guidance.
Jeremiah 10:2-5
“This is what the Lord says: ‘Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by signs in the heavens, though the nations are terrified by them. For the practices of the peoples are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel. They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter. Like a scarecrow in a cucumber field, their idols cannot speak; they must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them; they can do no harm nor can they do any good.’”
This passage serves as a warning against following the practices of idolatrous nations. The description of crafting idols out of trees, adorning them with silver and gold, and the idols’ inability to move or speak highlights the emptiness and powerlessness of such practices.
Creating images of Jesus can lead to similar rituals and practices, which are ultimately futile in their ability to bring us closer to God or represent His fullness and glory.
Psalm 97:7
“All who worship images are put to shame, those who boast in idols— worship him, all you gods!”
This verse affirms that those who worship images and idols will be put to shame. It contrasts idol worship with the true worship of God.
Placing our trust in images, including images of Jesus, can lead to disappointment and spiritual emptiness. Instead, let us worship God alone, acknowledging His supreme authority and rejecting the worship of false representations.
John 20:29
“Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'”
In this verse, Jesus speaks to Thomas after his doubts regarding His resurrection. Jesus praises those who believe without needing to see physical proof.
We are called to have faith and believe in Jesus without the need for visual representations. Our faith is not dependent on physical sight but is rooted in the assurance of things unseen.
Psalm 115:4-8
“But their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell. They have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk, nor can they utter a sound with their throats. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.”
These verses vividly describe the limitations of idols made by human hands. They are mute, blind, deaf, and lifeless, unable to respond or have any real impact.
Creating physical images of Jesus can lead to a similar mindset, where we place our trust in lifeless representations rather than in the living and active God who desires a genuine relationship with us.