New Testament Language: Was It Hebrew, Greek, Or Latin?

Have you ever wondered what language the New Testament was originally written in? It's a fascinating question that delves into the history of the Bible and the cultures that shaped its creation. Let's explore the linguistic landscape of the New Testament and discover the primary language used by its authors.

Unveiling the Language of the New Testament

The New Testament, a collection of 27 books that form the second major part of the Christian biblical canon, holds profound significance for billions of people worldwide. Understanding the language in which these texts were first penned offers invaluable insights into their original meaning and context. While the Old Testament was primarily written in Hebrew, with some portions in Aramaic, the New Testament presents a different linguistic picture. The options often considered are Hebrew, Greek, English, and Latin, but only one truly stands out as the dominant language of the New Testament.

When considering the options, it's important to understand the historical context of the time. Hebrew was indeed the language of the Old Testament and the Jewish people. Latin was the language of the Roman Empire, a powerful force in the world during the time of Jesus and the early church. English, of course, is a much more recent language and not relevant to the original writing of the New Testament. This leaves us with Greek, and specifically Koine Greek, which was the common language of the Mediterranean world during the first century AD.

The Dominant Language: Greek

The overwhelming consensus among biblical scholars is that the majority of the books in the New Testament were written in Koine Greek. This wasn't the classical Greek of philosophers like Plato and Aristotle, but a more common, everyday form of the language that was widely spoken throughout the Roman Empire. Koine Greek served as a lingua franca, a common language that facilitated communication and trade across diverse regions. This widespread use made it an ideal choice for spreading the teachings of Jesus and the early Christian message.

Why was Greek so prevalent? The conquests of Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC had spread Greek language and culture throughout the Eastern Mediterranean. This Hellenistic influence continued for centuries, and by the time of the New Testament writings, Greek was the language of commerce, government, and education in the region. It was the language that most people, including the authors and original audiences of the New Testament, would have understood.

Evidence for Greek Authorship

There are several compelling reasons why scholars believe the New Testament was primarily written in Greek:

• Manuscript Evidence: The earliest and most complete manuscripts of the New Testament are in Greek. These ancient texts provide direct evidence of the language used by the original authors.
• Linguistic Style: The grammar, vocabulary, and idioms used in the New Testament align with Koine Greek. Scholars can analyze the language and confirm its Greek origins.
• Cultural Context: As mentioned earlier, Greek was the lingua franca of the Eastern Mediterranean during the first century AD. It makes sense that the New Testament authors would choose the language that would reach the widest audience.
• Quotations from the Septuagint: The New Testament often quotes from the Old Testament. These quotations typically come from the Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible. This suggests that the New Testament authors were familiar with and used the Greek version of the Old Testament.

Exploring Koine Greek

Koine Greek, also known as Common Greek, was a simplified form of classical Greek. It was more accessible and widely understood, making it an effective tool for communication across different social classes and regions. The use of Koine Greek in the New Testament highlights the intention of the authors to reach a broad audience, not just an elite group of educated individuals. The simplicity and clarity of Koine Greek allowed the message of the New Testament to be easily understood by people from various backgrounds.

Hebrew and Aramaic Influences

While Greek was the primary language of the New Testament, it's important to acknowledge the Hebrew and Aramaic influences that are also present. Jesus and his disciples were Jewish, and they spoke Aramaic, a language closely related to Hebrew. There are instances in the New Testament where Aramaic words and phrases are used, often transliterated into Greek. For example, the Aramaic phrase