Breaking news...The Language of Yeshua (Part 1)
New Testament Evidence
Surely The New Testament Says Jesus Spoke In Aramaic?
Well, only if you insist on believing that the New International Version (NIV) and the New Living Translation are infallible. If you read any of the following verses in either of these very popular versions, you will read that Jesus spoke Aramaic.
However, if you look at the Greek text itself, the word is clearly Hebraidi.
Even my young children recognise that Hebraidi means Hebrew, not Aramaic (which is Aramaidi in Greek). Our Bible translators have deliberately mistranslated the actual received text in order to fit with Liberal theological beliefs that “of course” Jesus spoke Aramaic. These theological assumptions, however, are now massively outdated.
Take some time to check out the following verses from the New Testament. If you have a Strong’s Concordance, take a look for yourself at what the translated word is – don’t just take my word for it…
John 19:20
Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Hebrew, Latin and Greek.
John 20:16
Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned towards him and cried out in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).
Acts 21:40
Having received the commander’s permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the crowd. When they were all silent, he said to them in Hebrew...
Acts 26:14
We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Hebrew, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’
Other Examples:
John 5:2
Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Hebrew is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades.
John 19:13
When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge’s seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Hebrew is Gabbatha).
John 19:17
Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Hebrew is called Golgotha).
Acts 22:2
When they heard him speak to them in Hebrew, they became very quiet.
Conclusion:
So, the New Testament’s own evidence is clear.
Not only did Jesus speak Hebrew when he was alive, but also after his death and resurrection. Furthermore, Hebrew was the primary language of Israel, while Greek was probably the primary international trading language (much as English is today) and Aramaic would have played some role, but probably fairly minor.
Be Challenged...
Let this truth soak in and challenge you. The fact that the texts we have are in Greek does not mean that Greek was the spoken or primary language of Jesus and the 1st Century in Israel.
There’s so much more that can be revealed about the Jewish Jesus (Yeshua) and our whole understanding of the Jewish New Testament.
Establishing the original language is of key importance, and will help us correct some terrible mistranslations that have caused confusion and error in the church for centuries!
Click here to go to 'The Language of Yeshua (Part 2) - Evidence from the Early Church Fathers'.
