It is ubiquitous that Jesus spoke Aramaic, the common language in Israel at the time, and spoke its sister language,1 Hebrew, as all other religiously educated Jews. But what about Greek?
Historically: Jesus’s Linguistic Abilities
The linguistic environment of first-century Israel was notably diverse, primarily featuring Aramaic, Hebrew, and Greek. This multilingual backdrop is essential for understanding the likelihood of Jesus being conversant in Greek.
Aramaic was the common language in Judea and Galilee during Jesus’s time, and Hebrew, the language of the Bible and the Mishna, was also common among Jews. Jesus’s original name is also in Hebrew, “Yeshua,” meaning “salvation.”
However, the presence of the Greek language was also significant due to Alexander the Great’s Hellenization policies and the subsequent rule of the Romans, who fostered Greek as a lingua franca in the eastern Mediterranean. Archaeological findings show that Greek was widely used in various regions of Israel.2 Many aspects of Greek culture, such as the gymnasium and the theater, had been adopted in Jewish cities like Jerusalem and Sepphoris, indicating a familiarity with Greek.3
In addition, the Gospels recount instances where Jesus interacts with Greek speakers, such as the Syrophoenician woman (Mark 7:26), and Roman officials like Pontius Pilate, where no interpreter is mentioned, suggesting a direct conversation in Greek. Certain teachings of Jesus employ Greek literary devices such as alliteration and puns, which are more effective in Greek than in translation.4 For example, the wordplay surrounding the name “Peter” in Greek involves the words “Petros” (a small stone) and “Petra” (a large rock). In Matthew 16:18, Jesus says, “You are Petros, and on this petra I will build my church.” This pun effectively emphasizes Peter’s foundational role in the Church, using terms that resonate specifically in Greek, highlighting both his individual contribution and the solid basis of the Christian community. Lastly, even the often-overlooked fact that the Gospels were written by Israeli Jews in the Greek language suggests that Jews in Israel spoke and wrote Greek pretty well.
So, from a historical point of view, it is very likely Jesus also spoke Greek.
Theologically: Jesus’s Linguistic Abilities
But I’m not a historian but a theologian…
So, from a theological standpoint, affirming Jesus’s ability to speak multiple languages fluently aligns with Christian doctrines of his divinity and supernatural capabilities. As Christians believe Jesus to be God incarnate, his ability to communicate in any language would be consistent with divine omniscience. Jesus’s divine nature suggests he inherently possessed all knowledge, including linguistic ability.
Jesus’s miracles, such as healing the sick, resurrecting the dead, and controlling nature, underscore his command over the physical and metaphysical realms. If Jesus could perform such acts, it follows that mastering any human language would be well within his capabilities. This perspective supports the idea that Jesus could speak Aramaic, Hebrew, and Greek and do so with perfect fluency.
Jesus’s mission involved preaching to diverse audiences, including Jews and Gentiles, who often spoke different languages. The ability to speak multiple languages would have been essential for his ministry to be effective across different linguistic groups. Speaking various languages would have allowed Jesus to fully engage with and include all individuals in his teachings, reflecting the inclusive nature of his message.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both the historical context and theological considerations support the notion that Jesus was multilingual. This capability would align seamlessly with his divine attributes and the practical needs of his ministry, enhancing his ability to reach and influence a diverse audience across first-century Israel.
But more important than what language Jesus spoke is what He taught! For that, I dedicated a new short book, just now released: “The Kingdom of Yeshua: Christ’s Timeless Wisdom to Revive Your Spiritual Life.”
- Aramaic and Hebrew are very similar. For instance, “Peace be upon you” in both languages:
Hebrew: Shalom Aleichem
Aramaic: Shlama Ahlayku ↩︎ - For example, “68% of Jewish inscriptions from the Mediterranean area from this period are in Greek” (Stanley Porter, The Language of the New Testament: Context, History, and Development). ↩︎
- Maurice Casey, Aramaic Sources of Mark’s Gospel. ↩︎
- Peter J. Williams, Can We Trust the Gospels? ↩︎
