Hear the Language Jesus Spoke - Aramaic
What language did Jesus speak?
Jesus primarily spoke Aramaic, the everyday language of Jewish people in first-century Palestine. He also knew Hebrew, used for scripture and worship, and likely understood some Greek, the common language of trade and governance at the time.
Jesus Spoke Aramaic
Aramaic was the primary spoken language of Jesus, but today Arabic — a closely related Semitic language — is used by millions of Christians in worship across the Middle East and North Africa. The Lord’s Prayer below is written in Arabic script and paired with an English translation. You can also listen to it using the audio player below.
| Arabic | Transliteration | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| أَبَانَا الَّذِي فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ | Abā-nā alladhī fī as-samāwāt | Our Father who art in heaven |
| لِيَتَقَدَّسِ اسْمُكَ | Liya-taqaddas ismuka | Hallowed be thy name |
| لِيَأْتِ مَلَكُوتُكَ | Li-ya’ti malakūtuka | Thy kingdom come |
| لِتَكُنْ مَشِيئَتُكَ | Litakun mashī’atuka | Thy will be done |
| كَمَا فِي السَّمَاءِ كَذَلِكَ عَلَى الأَرْضِ | Kamā fī as-samā’ ka-dhālik ‘alā al-arḍ | On earth as it is in heaven |
| أَعْطِنَا خُبْزَنَا كَفَافَنَا | A‘ṭinā khubzanā kafāfanā | Give us this day our daily bread |
| وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا | Waghfir lanā dhunūbanā | And forgive us our trespasses |
| كَمَا نَغْفِرُ نَحْنُ أَيْضًا لِلَّذِينَ يُخْطِئُونَ إِلَيْنَا | Kamā naghfir naḥnu ayḍan lilladhīna yukhti’ūna ilaynā | As we forgive those who trespass against us |
| وَلَا تُدْخِلْنَا فِي تَجْرِبَةٍ | Wa-lā tudkhilnā fī tajriba | And lead us not into temptation |
| لَكِنْ نَجِّنَا مِنَ الشِّرِّيرِ | Lākin najjinā mina ash-shirrīr | But deliver us from evil |
| لِأَنَّ لَكَ الْمُلْكُ وَالْقُوَّةُ وَالْمَجْدُ إِلَى الأَبَدِ | Li’anna laka al-mulk wa-al-quwwa wa-al-majd ilā al-abadi | For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever |
| آمِينَ | Āmīn | Amen |
Introduction: Why Ask What Language Jesus Spoke?
When we read the Gospels, we often imagine Jesus speaking directly to us in our own language. But what language did Jesus actually speak during his lifetime? Understanding this question reveals a lot about the culture, history, and meaning behind his teachings. It also helps us appreciate the challenges translators face in bringing the Bible’s message to life for us today.
1. What Languages Were Spoken in Jesus’ Time?
Jesus lived in a multilingual society where several languages coexisted:
Aramaic: The primary everyday language of Jews in Galilee and Judea.
Hebrew: The sacred language used in scripture reading and worship.
Greek: The common language of trade, governance, and wider communication. Almost all of the New Testament is written in Koine Greek.
Latin: The official language of Roman administration.
2. Why Was Aramaic Jesus’ Primary Language?
Aramaic was the dominant spoken language among Jewish communities by the first century CE. It replaced Hebrew as the daily language after the Babylonian exile.
Evidence from Scripture:
The phrase Jesus utters on the cross, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (Mark 15:34), is Aramaic for “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” This is preserved directly in the Gospel text, indicating Jesus’ natural speech.
[Mark 15:34]
Jesus would have spoken Aramaic in everyday conversations with family, disciples, and neighbors.
3. How Did Hebrew and Greek Factor Into Jesus’ Communication?
Hebrew:
Used primarily for religious texts and synagogue worship. Jesus would have understood Hebrew, especially for scripture reading.
[Evidence: Luke 4:16-20 shows Jesus reading from the Hebrew Scriptures in the synagogue.]
Greek:
Greek was widely spoken in trade and administration. Jesus likely knew some Greek to interact beyond Jewish communities, though Aramaic remained his main language.
| Hebrew | Transliteration | English (NASB/NIV) |
|---|---|---|
| וַיָּבֹא אֶל־נָצְרֶת אֲשֶׁר גֻּדַּל־שָׁם | Vayābōʾ el-Nats̱eret asher guddal-shām | He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up |
| וַיֵּלֶךְ כְּמִשְׁפָּטוֹ בְּיוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת אֶל־בֵּית הַכְּנֶסֶת | Vayyēlekh kə-mišpātō b-yom ha-Shabbat el‑Beit ha-Knesset | And as was His custom, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day |
| וַיַּקָּם לִקְרֹא בַּסֵּפֶר | Vayyāqqām liqrōʾ ba‑sēpher | He stood up to read |
| וַיֻּתַּן־לוֹ סֵפֶר יְשַׁעְיָה הַנָּבִיא | Vayyuttan-lo sēpher Yeshayāh ha-navi | And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him |
| וַיִּפְתַּח אֶת־הַסֵּפֶר וַיִּמְצָא אֶת־הַמָּקוֹם | Vayyiftaḥ et‑ha‑sēpher vayyimṣā et‑ha‑māqōm | And He opened the book and found the place |
| רוּחַ יְהוָה עָלָי יַעַן | Rūaḥ YHWH ʿālāy yaʿan | The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He anointed Me |
| ...לְבַשֵּׂר לָעֲנָוִים... | ...livaśśēr la‑ʿănāvīm... | to proclaim good news to the poor... |
| ...וּלְשַׁלַּח שְׁבוּיִם לִשְׁבוּרֵי־לֵב לִקְרֹא שְׁנַת־רָצוֹן לַיהוָה... | ...u‑lə‑šallaḥ šĕḇuyīm lišbūrē‑lev liqrōʾ šənat‑raṣōn la‑YHWH... | to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord’s favor |
| וַיְהִי כְּכַאֲשֶׁר גָּלַל אֶת־הַסֵּפֶר... | Vayyəhî kə-kēʾăšēr gālāl et‑ha‑sēpher... | And He rolled up the book, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. |
4. What Language Did Jesus Speak on the Cross?
The recorded phrase “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” is a clear example of Jesus speaking Aramaic during his crucifixion, emphasizing his cultural and linguistic background.
5. What Does This Mean for Modern Readers?
Knowing that Jesus primarily spoke Aramaic:
Helps us understand cultural nuances in the Gospels.
Explains why certain phrases appear untranslated in Scripture.
Encourages deeper appreciation for Bible translations and their challenges.
Corrects a Euro-centric worldview of Jesus.
FAQs About Jesus’ Language
Q: Did Jesus speak Hebrew?
A: Yes, especially in religious contexts like synagogue reading and prayers.
Q: Did Jesus speak Greek?
A: Likely to some extent, for communication beyond Jewish communities.
Q: Were the Gospels written in the same language Jesus spoke?
A: No, the Gospels were primarily written in Greek to reach a wider audience.
Q: Why are some Aramaic phrases kept in the Bible?
A: To preserve the authenticity and emotional impact of Jesus’ words.
Conclusion: Jesus’ Language Connects Us to His World
Understanding the languages Jesus spoke opens a window into his life and times, enriching how we read the Bible today.
