Hi Grizz,
Grizz writes:
Again, the Jews residing in Judea proper were traditional Jews who resisted integration and Hellinization. They were not part of the Diaspora, nor did they think highly of Hellenized Jews.
The traditional Jew living in Judea also did not accept Jesus as the Messiah.
The close followers of Jesus did accept Him as the Messiah. They were also Jews. Jesus had 120 members of His Church at His death.
The New Testament was written by 8 men.
Paul was responsible for 14 of the 27 books.
Matthew a tax collector for 1 book.
Luke a physician for 2 books.
Mark 1 book as he recorded the things taught him by Peter.
John, son of Zebedee 5 books.
The Apostle Simon, called Peter 2 books.
James brother of Jesus and Jude Thomas 1 book.
Jude Thomas, brother of Jesus and James 1 book.
Grizz writes:
Education for most citizens of antiquity consisted of acquiring the necessary skills to partake in a trade. For the most part, students were apprentices. Unlike the modern era, reading and writing were not essential skills required to function in society. Literacy would only be acquired by aristocrats or those destined for a scholarly trade such as medicine, theology, or philosophy. As already stated, Josephus and Paul are prime examples.
You say Paul would have the necessary skills to author.
Luke as a physician in medicine would qualify.
Matthew as a tax collector who had to keep records would qualify.
Jesus 2 younger brothers would qualify as they were to be theologians.
John's mother and Jesus Mother was sisters and since Jesus was to be King that would have put John in the aristocrat class.
That would leave Peter, and Mark as possibly unqualified by your standards.
Grizz writes:
The common 'blue-collar' citizen of Judea would have no practical reason to speak fluent Greek.
Peter, James, John and Zebedee were all partners in a fishing company. That would put them in the 'white-collar' citizen class. Being in business they needed to be able to communicate with all the people not just the Jews.
That leaves us with Mark a disciple of Peter that wrote the teachings he received from Peter as possibly being unqualified.
Grizz writes:
I am not sure which manuscript you are referring to. All of the early Gospel manuscripts are written in koine Greek. Regardless, it is probable that James was probably dead by the time Matthew was composed.
The James I refer to is the younger brother of Jesus who died at the age of 94.
Matthew being first written in Hebrew is questioned.
But Matthew was written to the common traditional Jew of the day and it stands to reason it would have been in Hebrew as that is what they would understand.
The book of Matthew was written before 70 AD. If it had been written after 70 AD the destruction of the Temple would have been recorded as history and not as prophecy.
Grizz writes:
If such recorded history does exist, I will be glad to discuss.
What would you consider recorded history?
God Bless,
"John 5:39 (KJS) Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."
™ Version 4.2
