Opinion has been divided since its discovery in 544 CE, when an image
seemingly created by supernatural means turned up in Edessa (now part of Turkey)
and was later thought to be in Constantinople, although few historians believe
this was the same image that came to be displayed in an airtight bulletproof
case at the Cathedral of San Giovanni in 1998. During its 3 month exhibition
and despite a strictly view-per-reservation policy, around 2.5 million visitors
filed past it, some ecstatic or tearful, others merely curious to see the
imprint of a man who supposedly met a violent death almost 2,000 years ago.
Measuring 14 feet 3 inches long by 3 feet 7 inches wide (463 x 110 cm)
the shroud belonged to Geoffrois de Charny in the 14th century
before coming into the hands of Louis, Duke of Savoy in 1453. It was then
transferred to Chambery and was later taken to Turin by Emmanuel Philibert
where it’s been ever since.
But is the haunting image really that of Jesus? In 1988, radiocarbon
dating seemed to place the cloth in medieval times, yet ten years later, Pope
John Paul 11 seemed convinced it was “the imprint left by the tortured body of
the Crucified One.”
And now, there are fresh attempts to verify this relic. According to the
Telegraph a couple of years ago, “a group of
Italian scientists
conducted a series of advanced experiments which, they claim, show that the
marks on the shroud – purportedly left by the imprint of Christ's body – could
not possibly have been faked with technology that was available in the medieval
period.”
As a result, many theologians thought
this was the actual face of Jesus. However, gospel accounts firmly contradict such a
claim. In his account of Jesus’ burial,
the apostle John describes how, not one long sheet, but bandages were used to bind
the body of Jesus with spices – a method of anointing still used by many Jews today.
(John 19:39-42)
Later, the apostle Peter entered the (now
empty) tomb and “viewed the bandages lying, also the cloth that had been upon
his head not lying with the bandages but separately rolled up in one place.”
(John 20: 6,7) Had there been a long winding sheet, would it not have been
mentioned, especially if it bore the image of Jesus’ face?
So, whether the Turin Shroud is the
result of some supernaturally superimposition or a clever con-trick by a clever
technician, the evidence does not point to it being in any way sacred.
It’s also worth mentioning that the
worship of relics, images, statues and other idols was strictly
forbidden under the Ten Commandments - and still is.
https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/what-did-jesus-look-like/
https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/what-did-jesus-look-like/
