Expert: Dean Gade - 9/28/2006

Question
Hello,
I have a few questions to ask you. First what language was the NT scriptures written in. Secondly in regards to what is called the "Testaments of the Patriarchs". Are they authentic pseudo writings that predated the life and times of Messiah? Or were they later pseudo writings by the early christians? Thank you for your expertise on this matter!

Answer
The language in which the NT was written was Koine Greek.  This was the "common" Greek used all around the Mediterranian; sort of the universal language of the time.


"The Testaments of the Patriarchs" is both apocryphal  and apocalyptic literature.  The supposition is that it was written by a Pharisee in the century before Jesus was born.
It was never accepted as part of the Bible either by Jews or by the early Christian church. Parts of it were found among the Qumran scrolls and about the only ones who used it were the Armenians.