First page Back Continue Last page Overview Graphics
- Second to fourth centuries A.D., the Talmud is composed by the Jewish authorities, both in Israel (the Jerusalem Talmud) and in Babylon (the Babylonian Talmud). The oral traditions of the Pharisees, Sadducees and scribes, which Jesus preached against, are recorded in written form. The Mishnah is in Rabbinic Hebrew (heavily influenced by Aramaic), while the Gemara (the commentary on the Mishnah) is written in Aramaic, showing the importance of Aramaic for discussions and conversations.
- Meanwhile, around the third to fourth centuries A.D., at a time when Constantine becomes a ‘Christian’ emperor, Greek manuscripts of the New Testament start to become available, especially in Alexandria in Egypt, which is a hotbed of Gnostic and other heretical views. In Europe, Greek manuscripts of the Bible become more common, but the Aramaic Peshitta is very much still available!