Influence of Aramaic on the 4 gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John

 Influence of Aramaic on the 4 gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John

Aramaic/Hebrew.?

1. For a start, there is a big controversy on the actual number of gospels written in the bible. As more and more recent archaeological discoveries of ancient texts were exposed, the bible that we have today is considered to be incomplete or in factual error, maybe due to the generational translations and deliberate omissions. 

The bible is just a collection of books written throughout the centuries, and the group of men under the Emperor Constantine (through the Council of Nicaea in 325CE) were ordered to assemble the books (to prevent any more infighting among the various religious groups as to who is right and who is more authentic), so that the empire will not be fractured by the different religious groups. It was more of a political decision wielding control over the region via a common religious text. They determined what is acceptable and what is not. That’s why some gospels were omitted (like the gospel of Thomas, gospel of Mary, gospel of Judas, gospel of Peter, and gospel of Philip), and certain Old Testament books were removed.

2. The lack of original complete ancient scriptures or texts has hindered the findings whether all the scriptures were written in Aramaic, Hebrew and/or Greek. It is understandable since much of them have been destroyed by calamities, wear and tear, or just lost through the ages. Up till today, much archaeological work is still on-going, while those found are slowly and painstakingly being translated from the original into modern text for clearer comprehension.

3. From recent findings in the Old Testament, it was found that official documents related to the rebuilding of the ancient temple were entirely written in Aramaic (not Hebrew). The book of Ezra has big portions totally in Aramaic (Ezra 4:8 – 6:18; 7:12 – 26). The book of Daniel (Daniel 2:4 – 7:28) has large portions all in Aramaic (not Hebrew). Stories about Daniel and his friends, his visions were all written in Aramaic (not Hebrew). 

Way back in Genesis 31:47,

Genesis 31:47 And Laban called it Jegarsahadutha: but Jacob called it Galeed.

“Jegarsahadutha” is an Aramaic (not Hebrew) term meaning “pile of stones”, while “Galeed” is a Hebrew term also meaning “pile of stones”. The meaning is the same, signifying a metaphorical “heap of witness” as a memorial to the covenant made between Jacob and Laban.

In Jeremiah 10:11, the ENTIRE verse is Written in Aramaic.! Not Hebrew!

 

Jeremiah 10:11 in Aramaic

4. Coming to the New Testament, we find many portions were in Aramaic (as far as recent archaeology shows). Below are just some of the more prominent verses.

“fool” (raka) Matt 5:22

“zealot” (kananaios, from Aram. kan’an) Matt 10:4; Mark 3:18.

“Save now” (hosanna) Matt 21:9 (2x), 15; Mark 11:9; John 12:13

“O God! O God! To what a purpose You have kept me!” (Eloi, eloi, lema sabaxthani) Mark 15:34; Matthew 27:46

“Little girl, rise.” (talitha koum) Mark 5:41.

“Be opened” (effatha) Mark 7:34

“Teacher/Rabbi” (rabbouni) Mark 10:51; John 20:16

“Father” (abba) Mark 14:36; Rom 8:15; Gal 4:6

Maranatha meaning “Lord, come!” 1 Corinthians 16:22

5. The Greek influence on the Israelites were significant after the conquest of the Near East empires by Alexander the Great in 330 BCE. His 4 generals carved out his empire after his death to promote the Greek rule over his conquered lands including Eastern Asia Minor, Syria, Palestine (or Israel) and much of Mesopotamia. Then the Romans came and took over after the Greeks in 55 BCE, but much of the Greek culture and language remained after the conquest until today.

6. So, the people living during the time of the gospels were influenced by Aramaic, then Hebrew and then Greek. It was a period of mixture, as can be seen when Paul switched languages halfway in his presentation in Acts 21:37 – 22:2. (Paul used many Aramaic idioms too: https://advancingtruth.blogspot.com/2022/02/how-did-paul-used-aramaic-idioms-in.html.) The message of Jesus was originally proclaimed and taught in the Aramaic language all over. And due to Social and Political decisions communication both spoken and written were interspersed with Aramaic, Hebrew and Greek. To say the New Testament and gospels were entire written in Greek is NOT true, and likewise NOT in Aramaic entirely (until newer evidences can be discovered).

7. From then until today many believers of Jesus in Iraq (Mesopotamia), Iran, Syria, Turkey, and Lebanon have tried to keep the original Aramaic language alive both domestically and scholastically. Today they may not call it Aramaic but Syriac, but Syriac is just a Greek term for Aramaic. Many have become disillusion or disgust with the proliferation of Errors in Bible Translations, and there is a desire to return to the original context of the meanings of Jesus and scriptures, instead of relying on preachers or teachers who cherry pick scriptures to their whims and fancies to suit their egoistic pursuits of authority and superiority.

Jesus spoke in Aramaic

See a timeline of such human translations:

https://advancingtruth.blogspot.com/2021/04/timeline-of-written-translation-history.html

and why the Aramaic text and not the KJV or English text:

https://advancingtruth.blogspot.com/2023/08/aramaic-text-vs-kjv-text.html

8. The ability to understand Aramaic or Aramaic phrases, will greatly enhance your journey of true scripture discovery. You will be able to understand how Aramaic developed into what we have as modern languages. We can understand the rightful interpretation of the scriptural text. We can read it in its historical past events and within context and true meaning. We can determine whether what we read, heard preached or taught is genuine or forgery. We can understand many difficult passages or Semitic terms of speech which are not able to be explained in Greek or in modern languages. It will bring us back to a period of time very close to the time of Jesus and walk in that similar path. It will enable us to perceive more clearly Jesus and his teachings in the context of his own language, people and time. I hope these will inspire you as it has inspired me.