Most theologians and historians insist that Aramaic was the common language used during the time Jesus walked on earth.
I disagree and here is why.
1. The sign Pilate posted over Jesus on the cross included Latin, Greek and Hebrew. NO ARAMAIC!
2. Archeologists have found tombs, sepulchers and burial containers from the time of Christ. All had inscriptions in Hebrew. NO ARAMAIC!
3. During brief times of independence Israel minted in own coins. They all had Hebrew inscriptions.
4. Letters from Jews living in Greece from 200BC and onward were written in Hebrew.
5. A letter from a suitor in Babylon had to be translated from Aramaic into Hebrew because the woman only knew Hebrew.
6. When Jesus confronted Paul on the road to Damascus they spoke in Hebrew.
7. When Paul was accosted by Jews near the temple in Jerusalem (leading to his trip to Rome) Paul defended himself and addressed the crowd in Hebrew.
8. There are obvious translation fundamentals that show that the book of Hebrews (written by Paul) was first written in Hebrew and then translated into Greek.
9. There are also abundant signs that Matthew, Mark, Luke and the first 15 chapters of the book of Acts were written first in Hebrew and then translated into Greek.
Those who favor Aramaic have only one inconclusive example that Jesus spoke Aramaic. This example is found in Matthew.
In Matthew 27:45-46, it says, "Now from the sixth-hour darkness fell upon all the land until the ninth hour. 46And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?"
There was misunderstanding by those who heard this because some of them thought Jesus was crying out for Elias or Elijah to save him. This misunderstanding was probably due to the fact the Hebrew and Aramaic are very similar languages and share many root words.
9 points to 1. You decide.
I disagree and here is why.
1. The sign Pilate posted over Jesus on the cross included Latin, Greek and Hebrew. NO ARAMAIC!
2. Archeologists have found tombs, sepulchers and burial containers from the time of Christ. All had inscriptions in Hebrew. NO ARAMAIC!
3. During brief times of independence Israel minted in own coins. They all had Hebrew inscriptions.
4. Letters from Jews living in Greece from 200BC and onward were written in Hebrew.
5. A letter from a suitor in Babylon had to be translated from Aramaic into Hebrew because the woman only knew Hebrew.
6. When Jesus confronted Paul on the road to Damascus they spoke in Hebrew.
7. When Paul was accosted by Jews near the temple in Jerusalem (leading to his trip to Rome) Paul defended himself and addressed the crowd in Hebrew.
8. There are obvious translation fundamentals that show that the book of Hebrews (written by Paul) was first written in Hebrew and then translated into Greek.
9. There are also abundant signs that Matthew, Mark, Luke and the first 15 chapters of the book of Acts were written first in Hebrew and then translated into Greek.
Those who favor Aramaic have only one inconclusive example that Jesus spoke Aramaic. This example is found in Matthew.
In Matthew 27:45-46, it says, "Now from the sixth-hour darkness fell upon all the land until the ninth hour. 46And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?"
There was misunderstanding by those who heard this because some of them thought Jesus was crying out for Elias or Elijah to save him. This misunderstanding was probably due to the fact the Hebrew and Aramaic are very similar languages and share many root words.
9 points to 1. You decide.
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