Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott Pitta
Eusebius said that Matthew originally was penned in Hebrew. If there are others from early Christianity who say the same thing, I have yet to read their testimony.
I don't think any of the early church fathers ever quoted from a Hebrew Matthew. IF they did, can we have the citation ??
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I always thought it was Papias of Hierapolis who stated that
"Matthew collected the oracles of or about Jesus in the Hebrew language." Εβραϊκά διάλεκτος could of meant Hebrew dialect, which could be like someone speaking English, but thinking in Spanish? Yet, we have no solid proof that any of the Gospel accounts were actually penned in Aramaic. Papias writing the word Εβραϊκά actually meant Aramaic.
The lingua franca during the first century Judea was Aramaic, not Hebrew. Aramaic was the language of the natives, while Hebrew remained as a liturgical language used in the temple services, and synagogues. Greek was used as a language of commerce, and the eastern half of the Roman Empire.
The western half and seat of the empire spoke Latin, and the aristocratic class patricians spoke Latin and Greek. Herod would of spoke Aramaic, Latin, and Greek. Pontius Pilate would of spoke tourist Aramaic, fluent Greek, and fluent Latin. Since the Empire occupied Judea, they would of insisted that Greek be used in commerce, judicial proceedings within the empire, and among the soldiers who were part of the east empire. While all Romans spoke Latin, some soldiers from occupied countries would of learned enough Greek and Latin to be able to function among the legions.
As far as a Aramaic first century A.D. Matthew there is no proof. But, please everyone proceed, I would like to see all the evidence for the Aramaic Matthew.
