The question of Jesus' actual words is a complex and debated topic among biblical scholars. Here's a breakdown of what's known and the challenges involved:
Language He Spoke:
* Aramaic: Jesus primarily spoke Aramaic, a Semitic language closely related to Hebrew. It was the common language of Judea in the first century CE.
Sources for His Words:
* The New Testament (Especially the Gospels): The primary source for Jesus' sayings and teachings are the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). However, these Gospels were written in Greek, not Aramaic. This means that we have translations of what Jesus said, not verbatim records.
Challenges in Identifying "Authentic" Sayings:
* Translation Issues: Moving from Aramaic to Greek inevitably involves interpretation and choices. Nuances can be lost, and different Greek words can represent the same Aramaic term.
* Oral Tradition: The Gospels were written decades after Jesus' death. During that time, his teachings were transmitted orally, which can lead to variations and embellishments.
* Authorial Intent/Theological Agenda: The Gospel writers weren't simply transcribing Jesus' words. They were also shaping the narrative to highlight specific theological themes and to address the concerns of their particular audiences. This means that some sayings may have been adapted or framed in ways that reflect the author's perspective.
* Parallel Accounts and Source Criticism: Scholars compare parallel passages in the different Gospels to identify common sources (like the hypothetical "Q" source – a collection of sayings attributed to Jesus that may have been used by Matthew and Luke). This helps to identify potentially older and more reliable versions of sayings.
* Form Criticism: This method analyzes the forms (parables, proverbs, pronouncements) in which Jesus' sayings were delivered. By understanding the purpose of each form, scholars can better understand the original context and meaning of the saying.
* Criteria of Authenticity: Scholars use various criteria to assess the likelihood that a saying attributed to Jesus is genuinely from him. Some key criteria include:
* Multiple Attestation: If a saying appears in multiple independent sources (e.g., Mark and Q), it's considered more likely to be authentic.
* Dissimilarity (or Embarrassment): Sayings that are difficult to reconcile with the early Church's views or that portray Jesus in a potentially embarrassing light are considered more likely to be authentic (because the Church wouldn't be likely to invent them).
* Coherence: Sayings that fit well with other sayings that are considered authentic and with what is known about the historical context of Jesus' life are more likely to be authentic.
* Aramaic Flavor: Sayings that show signs of having originated in Aramaic (e.g., unusual wordplay or poetic structures) are considered more likely to be authentic.
* Historical Plausibility: The saying should fit within the historical and cultural context of first-century Palestine.
Examples of Sayings Considered Likely Authentic (using these criteria):
* The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13, Luke 11:2-4): While the exact wording may vary slightly between Matthew and Luke, the core elements of the prayer are widely considered to be authentic. It's found in multiple Gospels and reflects common Jewish prayer practices.
* The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32): This parable is unique to Luke and is considered authentic because of its coherence with Jesus' teachings on forgiveness and God's love.
* "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's" (Mark 12:17): This saying is found in multiple Gospels and addresses a politically sensitive issue, suggesting that it may reflect an actual historical event.
* "Love your enemies" (Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:27): This radical teaching is found in multiple Gospels and is considered authentic because it is a distinctive and challenging aspect of Jesus' ethical teachings.
The Ongoing Debate:
* Minimalist View: Some scholars argue that it's very difficult to reconstruct Jesus' actual words with any certainty. They believe that the Gospels are heavily influenced by the theological perspectives of the early Church.
* Moderate View: Most scholars take a more moderate approach. They believe that, while it's impossible to know *exactly* what Jesus said, it is possible to identify a core of authentic sayings using the criteria mentioned above.
* Maximalist View: A smaller number of scholars believe that the Gospels are generally reliable sources for Jesus' words and actions.
In Summary:
We don't have a recording of Jesus speaking. We have texts written in Greek that claim to represent his teachings. Identifying the "real" words of Jesus is a process of careful historical and literary analysis, using various criteria to assess the likelihood of authenticity. It is important to acknowledge the limitations of the sources and the ongoing debate among scholars. Even with these limitations, scholars believe it is possible to get a reasonable understanding of the essence of Jesus' message and teachings.