History Lesson

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In a message dated 99-08-24 18:26:37 EDT, David Smith you write:

<< T. L. writes: “I said that it was common for those who did know how to
 write in those
 days to use the “common” language of Greek since the Romans and most
 others
 surrounding the area ALSO spoke it
 along with their native language.”
 
 Where is your 1st century eye witness Tim? >>

My 2 cents worth: Acts 21:37  And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he 
said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou 
speak Greek?
38  Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and 
leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?
39  But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a 
citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the 
people.
40  And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned 
with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he 
spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying, ..........here Paul speaks BOTH 
Greek and Hebrew.  Acts 9:7  And the men which journeyed with him stood 
speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. Acts 22:9  And they that were 
with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice 
of him that spake to me.  How could they hear this voice but yet not hear 
this voice?????  The answer lies here: Acts 26:14  And when we were all 
fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the 
Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to 
kick against the pricks.  Those who traveled with Saul were Grecians and did 
not understand Hebrew........Saul knew both languages.  Therefore they heard 
a voice but did not understand it since it was spoken in Hebrew.  Evidence 
that not all Jews knew Hebrew.  In fact it was virtually a dead language at 
the time.  The evidence for this is the use of the Targums..........written 
in Aramaic.  The scriptures were read in Hebrew then the meaning was given in 
the Targums since Aramaic was the tongue used at the time.  We have evidence 
that two dialects of Aramaic were used........that by those of Jerusalem and 
that by those of Galilee: Acts 1:19  And it was known unto all the dwellers 
at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, 
Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.  Mark 14:70  And he denied it 
again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely 
thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth 
thereto.  Matthew 26:73  And after a while came unto him they that stood by, 
and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth 
thee.

It is interesting to see that on numerous occassions the authors of the New 
Testament writings quoted from or paraphrased the Septuagint, the Greek 
version of the Old Testament.  

Perhaps the "upper crust" spoke Hebrew but the common people spoke Aramaic 
locally at least.  When it came to the outside world however, they spoke 
Greek.  

David