Have you ever wondered, what language did Jesus Christ actually speak? It’s a fascinating question that takes us back to a vibrant, multilingual world of ancient Judea!
Most scholars agree that Jesus’s primary language, the one he spoke at home, with his family, and with his disciples every single day, was Aramaic. Specifically, he would have spoken a Galilean dialect, distinct from the Aramaic spoken in Jerusalem. It was the common language, the “lingua franca,” for ordinary Jewish people in the region.
But that’s not the whole story! As a Jew and a religious teacher, Jesus was almost certainly familiar with Hebrew. Hebrew was the language of the holy scriptures, like the Old Testament, and was used in synagogue readings and religious discussions. So, while he spoke Aramaic daily, he would have understood and likely read Hebrew for religious purposes.
Beyond Aramaic and Hebrew, there’s a good chance Jesus also knew some Koine Greek. Greek was the common international language across the Eastern Roman Empire, used for trade, administration, and wider communication. While not his everyday tongue, it’s plausible he used it when interacting with non-Jews, like the Roman prefect Pontius Pilate.
So, to sum it up: Jesus primarily spoke Aramaic in his daily life. He also understood Hebrew for religious purposes and very likely knew some Koine Greek for broader communication. He was truly a product of his multilingual time!