Archaeologists uncover ancient Jesus mural in Turkey 'proving biblical verse true'

Turkish archaeologists have uncovered a rare fresco depicting Jesus as the "Good Shepherd" in a Roman style, marking one of the most significant discoveries from Anatolia's early Christian period. "The newly discovered 3rd-century fresco showing Jesus as the Good Shepherd in a youthful, Roman-style depiction"

This imagery directly corresponds with the biblical passage from John 10:11, where Jesus declares: "I am the good shepherd."

"Archaeologists restoring the frescoes inside the underground tomb near İznik,

The painting, found in August in an underground tomb in the village of Hisardere near İznik (ancient Nicaea), dates to the 3rd century—when Christians faced persecution under the Roman Empire.

İznik is historically renowned as the site of the First Council of Nicaea in AD 325, where the Nicene Creed was formulated. Pope Leo XIV visited the town last month during his first apostolic journey abroad, commemorating the council's 1,700th anniversary.

The fresco portrays a youthful, clean-shaven Jesus in a toga, carrying a goat on his shoulders—a classic "Good Shepherd" motif symbolizing protection, salvation, and guidance. This symbol was prominent in early Christianity before the cross became dominant. Examples are scarce in Anatolia, and this is considered the best-preserved and possibly the only one with such pronounced Roman attributes in the region.

Lead archaeologist Gülşen Kutbay called it potentially "the only example of its kind in the region."

The tomb's walls and ceiling also feature bird and plant motifs, portraits of noble figures with attendants, and banquet scenes, reflecting a blend of late pagan and emerging Christian imagery.

Archaeologist Eren Erten Ertem from the İznik Museum noted that the frescoes illustrate "a transition from late paganism to early Christianity," portraying the deceased's journey to the afterlife positively.

Excavations revealed skeletons of five individuals, including two young adults and a six-month-old infant.

During Pope Leo XIV's visit, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan gifted him a tile reproduction of the Good Shepherd fresco.

Anatolia holds deep Christian roots: St. Paul was born in Tarsus, St. John spent his later years in Ephesus, and tradition holds that the Virgin Mary lived her final days nearby.

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