What Language Did Jesus Speak?
Many scholars agree that Jesus lived and remains a historical figure both in and outside the Christian context. However, other details about his life, like the actual language of Jesus, remain a source of debate to this day.
Over the years, this tough debate has stirred up many questions, like what language did Jesus speak? Was Jesus’ language the original language of the Bible? Did Jesus speak English? Did Jesus speak Hebrew?
If you’ve ever asked any of these questions or other related concerns about the language of Jesus, this article will clear up the air for you.
We explore the Gospel accounts, historical facts, and the 21st-century portrayal of Jesus in movies. In this study, we unravel many unknown truths and debunk several myths about the language Jesus spoke.
The Mystery of Jesus’ Language
The conversations surrounding Jesus’ language first became a hot topic in 2014 when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Pope Francis met during the Pope’s tour of the Holy Land.
The Prime Minister reportedly told the Pope that Jesus was born in Israel and had spoken Hebrew. According to the Washington Post, Pope Francis refuted and claimed that Jesus spoke Aramaic, a now almost extinct Semitic language dating back to the 11th century. Incidentally, some Chaldean Christian communities in Iraq and Syria still speak the language.
When the conversation between the Pope and Prime Minister hit the news, it sparked debates. But it seems both men were right, and we will explain why in the rest of this article.
Why Does It Matter What Language Jesus Spoke?
The relevance of the language of Jesus goes beyond knowing history. We must investigate this part of Christian history to understand His life and teachings better. Exploring Jesus’ language helps us step into His world as it was at the time, allowing us to understand the everyday talk and cultural norms of His generation.
Being a profound teacher of the Holy Scriptures at that time, our Lord Jesus often used the languages of His audiences to communicate deep truths about God’s eternal love and kindness for mankind. By knowing Jesus’ language, we can properly interpret His messages, uncover their true meanings then, and rightly apply them to our contemporary world.
With this, we can better connect with Jesus on a deeper level without any misunderstanding, making His wisdom more personal. It is almost like hearing His words directly, without any changes in translation. We get to see and comprehend His messages as He intended.
When we know the language Jesus spoke, we can better understand special moments in the Bible and their context. For instance, we can better appreciate when He supernaturally turned water into wine and walked on water.
That way, we can avoid giving everything in the Bible a 21st-century American interpretation.
The Linguistic Landscape of Jesus’ Time
We can learn a lot about the language Jesus spoke by going back in time to when He walked the streets of Galilee, teaching and preaching about the kingdom of God. In the first century, Judeans communicated with different languages, creating a diverse linguistic landscape. This is what we are now about to investigate.
Picture yourself in Judea, where the people speak various languages. We can imagine that it sounds like a bustling market where traders chatter and buyers walk around negotiating the prices of goods. What a colorful and interesting world it must have been.
People often think that because individuals recorded in the Bible were mostly Jewish, they must have spoken only Hebrew. But, interestingly, Aramaic was the common language at the time. It was the language Jesus spoke with the people around Him, even when He taught and shared stories.
However, the people of that time also spoke Hebrew, but only in formal or religious settings. For instance, history tells us that the synagogue buzzed with Hebrew prayers and scriptures.
They also spoke Greek, the language of philosophers and scholars at the time. Because of its rather complex nature, it wasn’t a language you would have heard on the streets. It was only spoken among intellectual people.
So, from this analysis, we can say that there were three prevalent languages in the Bible times — Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.
Hebrew or Aramaic: Which Was It?
As noted earlier, the dispute between Hebrew and Aramaic isn’t an “either-or” scenario, as Jesus interacted with both. Below, we highlight instances where both influenced the languages Jesus spoke.
Aramaic Influences in Jesus’ Speech
One notable instance of Aramaic’s influence in the language Jesus spoke is in Mark 5:41, where Jesus resurrects a young girl, saying, “Talitha Cumi,” which translates to “Little girl, I say to you, get up.” The Aramaic phrase “ṭlīthā qūm,” although a simple expression, is one with a deep meaning. It reveals Jesus’ strong connection to the language spoken by the Jewish community.
Similarly, in Mark 7:34, Jesus uttered the Aramaic word “Ephphatha,” meaning “be opened,” as he healed a non-hearing and non-speaking man.
He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). – Mark 7:34
Further, “Abba,” a term of endearment meaning “Father” in Aramaic, resonates in Mark 14:36 and other passages. To some extent, this name shows us the depth of the Father-child connection between Jesus and God. It further reflects the close relationship Jesus expects us as believers to have with our Father God.
Again, the term “Raca” in Matthew 5:22, used to caution against insults, finds its roots in Aramaic. It means “empty one” or “fool.” Through this term, Jesus underscores the destructive power of words, urging us, His followers, to cultivate a spirit of love and respect.
But I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause will be in danger of the judgment. Whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ will be in danger of the council. Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of Gehenna. – Matthew 5:22
“Mammon,” a word used in Matthew 6:24, originates from Aramaic and carries connotations of wealth and materialism. Jesus contrasts the worship of God with the pursuit of Mammon, emphasizing the spiritual conflict inherent in serving both.
Also, we find the Aramaic term “Maranatha” in 1 Corinthians 16:22, which means, “Our Lord has come” or “Lord, come.” This expression highlights the anticipation of Christ’s return among believers of different languages and nationalities.
The deep cry on the cross, “Eli, Eli, lima sabachthani” (Matthew 27:46), is further proof that Jesus’ spoke Aramaic during His earthly lifetime. Also, the use of the Aramaic term “šəḇaqtanī,” meaning “forsaken,” adds depth to Jesus’ painful moment of suffering.
Even personal names in the New Testament, such as Cephas (Peter), Thomas (Didymus), and Tabitha (Dorcas), have Aramaic roots, further proving that the linguistic landscape of Jesus’ time was truly diverse.
Greek and Hebrew Influences in Jesus’ Speech
The answer to the question, “Did Jesus speak Hebrew?” is yes! In Jesus’ time, the main language of the Jewish people was Hebrew, which was considered holy. So, even though Aramaic was quite common, the people revered the Hebrew language, especially through the Torah, the Holy Scripture.
In those days, Jewish kings were even required to make their personal copies of the Torah and carry it around. We see this in Deuteronomy 17:18-19:
It shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write himself a copy of this law in a book, out of that which is before the Levitical priests. It shall be with him, and he shall read from it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear Yahweh his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them.
When King David says in Psalm 16:8, “I have set Yahweh always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved,” he refers to the Torah.
Hebrew was also used in Jewish rituals and practices. This tradition continued before and during Jesus’ time, shaping His early education. Born into a devout Jewish family, Jesus learned to read Hebrew texts and engaged in discussions about the Torah from a young age.
During His public ministry, Jesus read and understood the Hebrew Torah. The Samaritan woman at the well conversed with Jesus in Hebrew, and during the Last Supper, we see signs of Hebrew traditions.
Historical evidence suggests that Hebrew was common at the time, even in writings like the Dead Sea Scrolls and Jewish coins. Early Church fathers even acknowledged that Jesus made statements in Hebrew. For example, the late Dr. David Flusser argued that Hebrew was a commonly spoken language at the time, challenging the belief that Jesus spoke only Aramaic.
Whatever the case may be, we know that Jesus likely spoke Hebrew, one of the languages of His people. For us to understand the nuances of Jesus’ teachings and doctrines, it will help to understand Hebrew.
Did Jesus Speak English?
The theory that Jesus spoke English might sound funny because English didn’t even exist during Jesus’ days. People in those times spoke different languages, and English was nowhere on the list.
Some people might playfully suggest that since Jesus is considered the Son of God and all-knowing, maybe He already knew English. But realistically, when Jesus lived during the first century A.D., nobody spoke English, especially not in places like Judea where He spent much of His time.
We may now have reliable translations of the Bible in English, and there are teachers and commentaries to help us. But acknowledging the original languages Jesus spoke, like Aramaic or Hebrew, can help us understand his teachings better.
Studying the Bible in English is a good start, but it’s important to acknowledge the cultural gap between Jesus’ time and ours. Sometimes, misinterpretations happen when we impose our modern meanings and cultural ideas onto Jesus’ words.
Was Jesus Multilingual?
Jesus was definitely multilingual because it was common for people to speak multiple languages at that time, even within the same community. Most experts and historians agree that Jesus spoke some form of Aramaic. It was the common language ordinary people used in their daily lives.
On the other hand, Hebrew was reserved for everything religious, like the holy scriptures. So, picture Jesus in His hometown, chatting with friends in Aramaic, but also knowing Hebrew, especially when He got into religious discussions or read from the Torah in the synagogue.
There’s also Greek, the language of the big shots and used strictly for official business. Jesus probably knew how to speak Greek, too, so He could blend into any circle.
So, we can say that Jesus lived in a multilingual community and knew how to use the right language for the right moment. Just like He spoke in Aramaic with His friends and read Hebrew in the synagogue, He also likely tossed in some Greek when needed.
The most inspiring thing is that centuries later, the Bible has been able to reach people in different languages, just like Jesus did during His earthly ministry.
Debunking Myths: What Jesus Didn’t Speak?
In trying to figure out what languages Jesus spoke, it is important to dispel some common myths that have woven themselves into the fabric of popular belief. Let’s look at what languages Jesus did not speak and how Hollywood’s portrayal sometimes differs from historical reality.
Contrary to some common misconceptions, Jesus likely didn’t hold conversations in Latin or English. Although Latin was a dominant language in certain circles during that time, it wasn’t the everyday language of Jesus and His followers.
Of course, we’ve established that English did not exist in ancient Judea. So, understanding this context will help us see through these misconceptions.
Another myth involves the assumption that Jesus spoke lofty, formal Hebrew. But the truth is that Jesus, being part of His local community, would have spoken in the common language of the people, likely a form of Aramaic.
The reason is that using this everyday language would most likely help Him connect better with the locals, making Jesus’ teachings accessible to all.
Hollywood Vs. History: The Portrayal of Jesus’ Language in Popular Culture
The cinematic world often shapes our perceptions, but how Jesus is portrayed in movies tends to take creative liberties. For one, Hollywood often depicts Jesus using an English accent, a choice that doesn’t align with the linguistic landscape of ancient Judea, historically speaking.
While this cinematic decision is understandable for audience accessibility, it can further fuel the misconceptions about Jesus’ languages.
- Related Article : Are Jesus and John the Baptist Cousins?
- Related Article : What Are Jesus’ Commandments?
How Jesus’ Language Influences Us
The language of Jesus found in the holy scriptures shapes the very fabric of our Christian existence. We can also find guidance in His words. Psalm 119:105 is one Bible verse that strongly underscores this truth.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.”
Jesus’ teachings represent this guiding light because they offer us clarity and direction in a world that often seems filled with darkness.
Yes, He did speak Aramaic, Hebrew, and Greek, but the fundamental languages Jesus spoke were love and compassion, not just for God but also for one another. In John 13:34, He declared:
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another.”
Our journey into learning the truth about the language of Jesus is also a call to embrace His words with open hearts. An acknowledgment that even though we now preach the Bible in different languages, Jesus’ language is universal, and His message is the same.
As we have seen, this language is a unifying force that binds believers across various tribes and countries. It is also proof that Jesus existed since research reveals that He spoke multiple languages.
As you delve deeper into the Word and pursue knowing Jesus for yourself, we hope you gain more understanding to help you grow in your relationship with Him. We also pray that you embody His life and passion as you journey through this lifetime.
