Many people wonder what language Jesus spoke since the Bible was written in both Greek and Hebrew yet his daily spoken language would have been different. Let's dig into this question and see why many believe Jesus was multilingual and spoke many languages.
Jesus of Nazareth lived in the region of Israel and Palestine where Aramaic, Hebrew, and Greek were spoken. Aramaic was the primary language Jesus used in His daily life and teachings, with many of His sayings recorded in the New Testament believed to have been spoken in Aramaic. Hebrew was important for religious purposes, as Jesus would have used it for reading and discussing the Jewish Scriptures in synagogue settings. Greek was the common language of the Eastern Mediterranean due to Greek cultural influence, and while Jesus likely understood some Greek for interactions with non-Jews, it was not His main language. Thus, while Aramaic was the major language spoken by Jesus, His familiarity with Hebrew and Greek also played a role in His life and ministry.
The 3 Languages Jesus Knew
Aramaic
It is the general consensus of religious scholars and historians that Jesus and his disciples primarily spoke Aramaic, the traditional language of Judea in the first century AD. Their Aramaic was most likely a Galilean accent distinct from that of Jerusalem. Jesus spent most of his time in the communities of Nazareth and Capernaum in Galilee, which were Aramaic-speaking villages. The Gospels support this view showing Jesus using various Aramaic terms: talitha koum, ephphatha, eloi eloi lama sabachthani, abba.
Here are some notable examples where Jesus spoke in Aramaic, and the phrases were preserved in their original form or translated into Greek:
Mark 5:41: When Jesus raises Jairus' daughter from the dead, He says, "Talitha koum!" which means "Little girl, I say to you, get up!" The original Aramaic phrase is preserved in the text.
Mark 7:34: In healing a man who was deaf and mute, Jesus uses the Aramaic phrase, "Ephphatha," which means "Be opened."
Matthew 27:46: On the cross, Jesus cries out, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" This phrase is Aramaic for "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" It is quoted in the text with a brief explanation.
John 20:16: When Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene after His resurrection, He says, "Mary!" She responds to Him in Aramaic, calling Him "Rabboni," which means "Teacher."
Mark 14:36: “Abba Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”
Historians, scientists, and social anthropologists largely agree that Aramaic was the prevalent language in Israel during Jesus’ time. Aramaic was very similar to Hebrew, but with many terms and expressions that were acquired from other languages and cultures, notably Babylonian.
Hebrew and Greek
Hebrew was primarily used by the religious leaders of Jesus' time, such as scribes, teachers of the law, Pharisees, and Sadducees—the so-called “religious elite.” It was the language used in religious settings, including synagogues, where scriptures and teachings were read and discussed. Consequently, most people in Jesus' region were likely familiar with some Hebrew, as it played a significant role in Jewish religious life.
Greek, on the other hand, was the language of the Roman rulers who governed over Israel during Jesus' time. As the language of administration and commerce, Greek was essential for interactions with the Roman political class and for conducting trade. Although Greek was a valuable skill due to its widespread use, there was some resistance to using it because of its association with Roman oppression. Being the son of a carpenter, Jesus probably spoke some Greek to be able to communicate in the trade and business economy.
Aramaic, however, was the language commonly spoken by the people. According to Dead Sea Scrolls archaeologist Yigael Yadin, Aramaic was the primary language of the Hebrews until the time of Simon Bar Kokhba's revolt (circa 132-135 CE). Yadin observed a shift from Aramaic to Hebrew in documents from this period, suggesting that Bar Kokhba may have implemented a decree to restore Hebrew as the official language. In his research, Yadin noted, "It is interesting that the earlier documents are written in Aramaic while the later ones are in Hebrew. Possibly the change was made by a special decree of Bar Kokhba who wanted to restore Hebrew as the official language of the state."
Given the linguistic diversity of the time, it is likely that Jesus was fluent in Aramaic, Hebrew, and Greek. His ability to speak these languages would have allowed Him to effectively communicate with various groups of people, using whichever language was most appropriate for the context.
Photo Credit: GettyImages/Ioshertz
