The Bible does not explicitly state how tall Jesus was during his time on earth. However, by examining the historical and biblical context, we can develop a reasonable estimate of his height.
Clues from the Bible
There are a few clues in the Bible that can help us estimate Jesus’s height:
- Jesus was likely an average height for a Jewish man of his time. He did not stand out physically from the crowds he taught (Isaiah 53:2).
- As a carpenter’s son, Jesus would have been accustomed to physical labor from a young age. This could have contributed to him reaching an average adult height for his time period (Mark 6:3).
- When describing Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, John 12:13 states that people cut palm branches to wave at him. This suggests he was tall enough to be visible in a crowd from an elevated position.
- After his resurrection, Mary Magdalene at first confused Jesus for a gardener (John 20:15), indicating he had an average build and stature.
While these clues do not give a definitive height, they paint a picture of Jesus having an ordinary build and stature for a Jewish man of his time and place.
Historical Context
Most scholars believe Jesus was born around 4-6 BC and died around 30-36 AD. Looking at archaeological evidence and skeletal remains, we can estimate the average height of a Jewish man living in Galilee or Judea during Jesus’ lifetime:
- A 2004 study published in the journal Economics and Human Biology examined skeletons from first century Galilee and found the average height was 5 feet 5 inches (166 cm).
- A study cited in the journal Biblical Archaeological Review estimated the average height of a Jewish man in Judea between 4 BC to 70 AD was 5 feet 1 inch (155 cm).
- Both studies noted height decreased between the first century BC and first century AD, possibly due to economic factors.
Based on these averages, Jesus likely stood around 5 feet 1 inch to 5 feet 5 inches tall (155-166 cm). This was an ordinary height for his place and time.
Clothing Sizes
Some additional clues about Jesus’ height come from considering typical clothing sizes in first century Judea:
- Jewish men at the time wore a type of undershirt called a kittoneth. These garments were fitted to size and knee-length or ankle-length.
- Standard kittoneth sizes were based on cubits, an ancient unit of length. One cubit was approximately 18 inches (46 cm).
- A typical kittoneth was 1.5 cubits wide and 2.5 cubits long. This would fit a man 5-5’3″ tall (155-160 cm).
- Outer robes like the talith were around 2 x 2 cubits. Jesus’ specifying one should buy a sword even if it meant selling their cloak (Luke 22:36) suggests his outer garment was a standard size.
This provides further evidence that Jesus was an average height between about 5 feet to 5 feet 5 inches tall.
Comparison to Disciples and Crowds
We can also make reasonable guesses about Jesus’ height by examining how he compared to his disciples and crowds:
- Peter, the boldest apostle, is traditionally considered tall, perhaps around 5’7″-5’10”. If Jesus was noticeably shorter, it may have been mentioned.
- Zacchaeus, a wealthy tax collector, climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus over the crowds (Luke 19:1-4). If Jesus were exceptionally tall, this may not have been necessary.
- When Jesus fed the five thousand, he had the people sit down in groups of 50 and 100 (Luke 9:14). This orderly arrangement suggests he did not stand out unusually in height.
- These examples position Jesus as average or moderately above average in height compared to his disciples and crowds.
Jesus very likely stood between 5’0″ and 5’5″ tall, right around the average for a Jewish man in his time and region. He did not stand out from the crowd based on stature.
Common Depictions
In art, Jesus is often shown with features suggesting a tall, elegant figure. However, these depictions may say more about the artist’s style and culture than historical reality.
- European paintings frequently portray Jesus as taller than disciples or crowds with idealized proportions. This reflected cultural beauty standards more than accurate ethnography.
- Films casting tall leading actors helped perpetuate the impression of an unusually tall Jesus. But his ordinary stature is more historically faithful.
- First century Judeans were typically shorter than modern populations. Average heights today are at least 5 inches (13 cm) taller than in Jesus’ time.
Artistic interpretations imagine Jesus as tall, but from a historical perspective he likely had an ordinary height for his place and era.
Estimations from Shroud of Turin
Some researchers have tried to estimate Jesus’ height from the disputed Shroud of Turin:
- The Shroud of Turin is a linen cloth bearing an image of a crucified man. Many believe this is the burial shroud of Jesus.
- Measuring the length of the figure on the shroud, various estimates put the man’s height between 5’7″ and 6’2″.
- However, given radiocarbon dating places the shroud from the 13th to 14th century AD, it does not provide evidence for Jesus’ physical appearance.
- The height estimates from the shroud should be heavily qualified, as the figure’s proportions match medieval artistic standards more than archaeological evidence.
While interesting, reported height estimates from the Shroud of Turin do not reliably inform estimates of the historical Jesus’ stature.
Conclusions
In the absence of any definitive statement in the Bible about Jesus’ height, we must rely on historical evidence and clues from his life. Based on archaeological data, clothing sizes, comparisons to crowds, and the lack of any reported unusual stature, most evidence points to Jesus having an ordinary height for a Jewish man of his place and time.
The best scholarly estimates suggest Jesus likely stood around 5 feet 1 inch to 5 feet 5 inches tall (155-166 cm). This matches the averages of skeletal remains showing a decline in height between the first centuries BC and AD. While depictions often imagine a tall Jesus, he did not stand out in stature from his disciples or the crowds he taught.
Jesus’ ordinary physical height reflects a Messiah who came to serve humbly, not overpower. His true glory was displayed through character, teachings, miracles, death, and resurrection – not external qualities. Just as Jesus taught that the kingdom of God is within (Luke 17:21), his spiritual stature transcended any limitations of physical height.