Aramaic, Latin and Greek

John 19:19-20

English Standard Version

19 Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” 20 Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek.

Since Pilate wrote this inscription, was he inspired by the Holy Spirit? Inspired him to affirm that Jesus is the King of the Jews? Was the Holy Spirit came upon Pilate? Inspired him to write these words in three languages? 

1. Aramaic The majority of Judaeans would have understood this language. See John 5:2.
2. Latin The official language across the Roman Empire. Government documents, well-educated people, and the Roman military and guard used Latin.
3. Greek The common language of commerce and writing used in the eastern part of the Roman Empire.

Pilate wrote in three languages, indicating that the people of Jerusalem knew these three languages. No matter what, Jesus still seeks today the realization of his claim, ‘I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself’ (John 12:32).

What, then, can we say about Jesus? It seems that He could indeed read Aramaic, the language of his time. Luke suggests that he could also read Hebrew. Some would argue that he knew Greek as well. He is God, and He understands all languages below and above the skies. 

Returning to the time when He led His disciples. Did Jesus look for the perfect Hebrew Bible? A perfect Greek Septuagint? Did Jesus teach His disciples the theory of Verbal Plenary Preservation? Did He criticize anyone who was reading the Septuagint? 

Should we look down on our brothers who read NIV, ESV, or NLT? Should we chastise everyone who dislikes the KJV? Should we demonize the ESV and NIV? Should we?

Jesus didn’t seek out a perfect Hebrew Bible, nor did He attack those using the Septuagint. The Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, was widely used among Jews, especially those in the Hellenistic world. Jesus and the Apostles often quoted from it, and many of the Old Testament references in the New Testament are from the Septuagint.

This acceptance and use of the Septuagint by Jesus demonstrate that He didn’t condemn different translations but rather focused on the message and its transformative power. His mission was about conveying God’s truth and love, not debating over textual precision.

In essence, Jesus showed that the heart of the Scripture’s message matters more than the exact wording. This encourages us to focus on understanding and living out the teachings of the Bible, rather than being divided over different translations.