Jesus and Aramaic

[Charbel Labban]

How do we know that Jesus actually spoke in Aramaic and not in other languages e.g. Greek? Could He have spoken in more than 1 language?

[Onella Hermis]

This may help...

http://catholicexchange.com/2008/09/26/113992

[Charbel Labban]

Great link, thanks!

[jzeitouni]

Funnily enough my students were just asking me about that about 10 mins ago... the languages that Jesus spoke etc. So I was hoping on here to aske the question so that I can answer them. So thanks!! Now I just need to dumb down the info to an 8 year old level!!

[GilWright]

For the eight year old (answer I gave my 10 year old): we know that Jesus spoke at least Aramaic because it is quoted in the bible. For example his final words on the cross and the words used to raise the little girl from the dead. We don't know if He spoke other languages but if He did, it wouldn't have helped when most of His disciples (and most of the Apostles) could only speak the local languages. As hint about other possible languages spoken around the same time, check what Pilate wrote on the cross - it was in three languages.

[DavidObeid]

He also calls St. Peter "Cephas" in St. John 1:42.