The Original Languages of the Gospels: Greek, Latin, or Aramaic/Hebrew
" "The exact languages in which the original gospels were written remains a subject of scholarly debate, with some scholars arguing for Greek as the primary language, while others advocate for Hebrew or Aramaic. This article explores the historical and linguistic evidence behind these claims, aiming to shed light on the most likely original languages of the gospels, as well as their translation and widespread dissemination.
" "Historical and Linguistic Context
" "The original gospels, which detail the life, teachings, and death of Jesus Christ, are traditionally considered to have been written in Koine Greek. Koine Greek was the common form of Greek used in the eastern Mediterranean during the 1st century CE, serving as a lingua franca for the region. This common language was the result of the cultural and political influences of Alexander the Great and the subsequent Hellenistic period, which expanded the use of Greek beyond its native territories.
" "During the time when the gospels were written, the Roman Empire, with its vast territorial reach and centralized administration, adopted Koine Greek as the primary language for communication across its diverse population. As a consequence, Greek was the language of choice for written works, including religious and philosophical texts. This widespread use of Greek made it an ideal choice for the early Christian community to communicate their message to a broader audience.
" "Matthew's Gospel: Hebrew or Greek?
" "One of the most contentious debates concerns the original language of the Gospel of Matthew. Some scholars argue that Matthew originally wrote his gospel in Hebrew and later translated it into Koine Greek. This claim is based on early church traditions and certain linguistic peculiarities found in the Greek text of Matthew, such as the presence of some loanwords and phrases that are more common in Hebrew than in other texts.
" "For instance, in the Gospel of Matthew, there are several phrases and words that are not as common in Koine Greek but are more typical of Hebrew or Aramaic texts. For example, Matthew 2:19 references 'Ara'im' (in Aramaic), and Matthew 4:6-7 includes phrases like 'ben ha-sarim' (son of the reprobate) and 'Eben-ha-golah' (stone of the place), which are more Hebrew in nature. However, these linguistic features could also be attributed to later translations or scribal practices, making the case for Hebrew originality less conclusive.
" "Despite these potential markers, the vast majority of textual evidence and manuscript traditions support the view that the Gospel of Matthew was initially written in Greek. The lack of early Hebrew or Aramaic manuscripts, and the widespread use of Greek in the early Christian community, further support this conclusion.
" "The New Testament: Greek or Aramaic?
" "The rest of the New Testament, including the Gospels of Mark, Luke, and John, as well as the epistles, was undoubtedly written in Greek. There is no definitive evidence to support the claim that the Gospel of Mark was originally written in Aramaic. This is supported by the absence of any Aramaic loanwords or phrases that are characteristic of the Aramaic language in the text.
" "The argument against an Aramaic original for the New Testament is further reinforced by the fact that the New Testament was compiled and distributed in Greek. The precision and accuracy of the earlier manuscripts in Greek suggest that this was the language preferred by the early Christian writers and community. The rapid spread of Christianity, particularly among the Hellenistic communities in the Roman Empire, necessitated the use of a widely understood language like Greek to facilitate the evangelization of a diverse and far-reaching audience.
" "Translation and Widespread Dissemination
" "The early Christian community recognized the importance of disseminating the message of the gospels to a global audience. Consequently, the decision to write the gospels in Greek was strategic, facilitating easier access and understanding by a wider Christian community. The translators of the Bible, both in the ancient and modern era, have played a crucial role in making the scriptures accessible to people in over 1000 languages, thereby fulfilling the Great Commission as articulated by Jesus Christ.
" "Despite the value of translating the scriptures into local languages, the original Greek texts of the gospels remain the primary sources for understanding the life and teachings of Jesus. The preservation of these original texts ensures that the intent and original message of the early Christian writers are maintained, allowing for accurate and faithful transmission of the gospel message to future generations.