What Language Did Jesus Speak?

If we want to understand the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, a crucial aspect to explore is the language he used to communicate his ideas and messages. This question may seem straightforward, but its answer actually delves into the historical, linguistic, and cultural contexts of the Eastern Mediterranean region in the 1st century AD.

The Lingua Franca of the Eastern Mediterranean: Koine Greek

The Greek language, in its variant known as Koine Greek, was the lingua franca of the Eastern Mediterranean world, including Judea where Jesus lived. It was commonly used in commerce, literature, and international communication, much like English is today on a global scale. The New Testament of the Bible, which includes the gospels recounting Jesus’s life and teachings, was originally written in Koine Greek. But does that mean Jesus himself spoke Greek?

Historical and linguistic evidence suggests that while Jesus likely knew some Greek due to its prevalence, it was probably not his first language. Remember, a lingua franca is a common language used by people who speak different first languages. That means, while Greek was widely spoken, it may not have been the mother tongue of many in the region, including Jesus.

The Everyday Language of Jesus’s Homeland: Aramaic

The majority of scholars agree that Jesus primarily spoke Aramaic, a Semitic language closely related to Hebrew. Aramaic was the common language of the Jewish people and most residents of Galilee (where Jesus grew up) and Judea during the 1st century AD.

The Bible itself provides evidence supporting this idea. Several phrases spoken by Jesus in the Bible are preserved in their original Aramaic, rather than Greek. For example, when Jesus raises a girl from the dead in the gospel of Mark (5:41), he says “Talitha koum,” which is Aramaic for “little girl, get up.” On the cross, he cries out, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (Mark 15:34), which translates to “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” These Aramaic phrases were so important that they were preserved in the original language in the Greek text of the New Testament.

The Language of the Jewish Religion: Hebrew

Jesus, being a Jew, was also likely knowledgeable in Hebrew. This ancient language was primarily used in religious contexts during the 1st century AD, and the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) was written in it. While it was not the main spoken language among common people in Jesus’s time and place, it held an esteemed position in religious rites, education, and scholarly activities.

Jesus, as depicted in the New Testament, frequently quoted from the Hebrew Bible. His ability to engage with Jewish religious leaders in matters of the law also suggests his familiarity with Hebrew. Moreover, instances in the Bible show Jesus reading from the Torah in the synagogue (Luke 4:16-21), which would have been in Hebrew. Therefore, although Hebrew might not have been his primary spoken language, it was likely part of his linguistic repertoire, especially in religious contexts.

Jesus’s Multilingual World

To sum up, Jesus Christ, like many people in the multilingual world of the 1st century Eastern Mediterranean, probably knew and used several languages. The everyday language of his community and his home was likely Aramaic. Given the multicultural environment of the region, influenced by Hellenistic culture since the conquests of Alexander the Great, he likely had some knowledge of Koine Greek. Furthermore, his participation in religious activities and teachings suggests he knew Hebrew, at least in written form.

The Implications of Jesus’s Language

Why is it important to know what language Jesus spoke? Beyond historical curiosity, understanding Jesus’s languages gives us valuable insight into his life and teachings. Each language represents a different facet of his world:

• Aramaic connects him with the common people of his region. It’s the language he would have used in daily life, in intimate conversations with his disciples, and likely in many of his teachings and parables. Understanding Aramaic and its idioms can help us understand Jesus’s message as his immediate audience would have.
• Greek, the language of commerce and the wider world, connects Jesus with the Hellenistic culture that was prevalent throughout the Eastern Mediterranean. Knowing that Jesus may have known Greek helps us understand how his teachings could have been spread and understood in a world beyond his immediate geographical location.
• Hebrew, the language of the Jewish scriptures, connects Jesus with his Jewish heritage. His teachings were deeply rooted in the Jewish tradition. Understanding this can help us see his teachings not as a break from this tradition, but as a part of its continuum.

Thus, the languages of Jesus provide a window into his world, enabling us to see his teachings in their historical, cultural, and linguistic context. To comprehend the fullness of Jesus’s words and works, one must not only examine what he said, but also consider the languages he used to express his thoughts.