Memorisation was the chief technique of learning. Hence, this is the reason why Y‘shua‘s followers were able
to reproduce his teachings so accurately when they were later written down as our Gospels. Given this fact,
it means that we can have faith in the accurate transmission of Y‘shua‘s teachings. We know from early
documentation that Matthew's was the earliest Gospel and that it was written in Hebrew. Y‘shua himself must
have taught in Hebrew (as all rabbis did), as he says that ―not one yodh or little horn (this is the literal
meaning of keraia the Greek word here) shall pass away from the law" (Matt 5.18) referring to the smallest
Hebrew letter yodh and the small hook or serif on others. Our Greek Gospels are translations themselves of
Y‘shua‘s Hebrew teachings and possibly, too, of an original Hebrew Gospel of Matthew. (According to
Papias, an early church bishop at the beginning of the Second Century.)
The study of Greek in Palestine in Y‘shua‘s day was not encouraged, although it was a necessity of daily life
in the Diaspora lands outside of Palestine. Greek philosophy was equally denounced in Palestine. Early
church theologians were later to remark "what has Athens to do with Jerusalem" (Tertullian), decrying Greek
thinking blend with Christian doctrine. It is unfortunate, in the least, that even in the church; "New Testament
Greek" is studied in preference to Hebrew, and the Greek classics instead of Jewish writings such as the
Talmud and Mishnah.
Two rabbinic stories give a flavour of the Palestinian attitude towards Greek:
A Rabbi wrote: "There were a 1000 pupils in my father's school, of whom 500 studied Torah and 500 studied
Greek philosophy; and of the latter none are left but myself and my nephew" (Mishnah, Baba Kamma, 83a)
"A Rabbi asked 'since I have learnt the whole of Torah may I now study Greek philosophy?'― the reply came
"'This book of Torah shall not depart out of your mouth but you shall meditate in it day and night (Joshua
1.8)', 'now go and search out at which hour it is neither day nor night and devote it to the study of Greek
philosophy'"
Access to copies of the Hebrew Scriptures was virtually universal via the synagogues and schools. In
addition, every household might purchase one scroll or another according to their wealth. However, it was
unlawful to make copies of small portions out of context through fear of transmission of error. Exceptions
were made for certain passages though: Genesis 1-9 (the history of the world from creation to the flood);
Leviticus 1-9; Numbers 1-10, 35. Since Scripture was memorised from a young age, these manuscripts were
luxuries rather than essential.
Given all of this information, we can see that Y‘shua learned his Scripture as any other Jewish boy did. If He
was trained to be a full-time carpenter from a boy, He would possibly not have had the time to learn. And
later on in His life, He would not have time to travel and preach about the Kingdom of YHWH. Y‘shua was
earmarked for education to spend time in studying the Scriptures.
But being the Son of YHWH, there is supernatural help for Y‘shua to obtain wisdom: ―And the child grew and
became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him‖. (Luke 2:40) Bear in mind that
knowledge (of Scripture) and wisdom is not synonymous.
It is interesting to note the Bible indicates that Timothy, who had known the Scriptures (the Old Covenant)
from his childhood which were able to make him wise unto salvation (2 Tim 3.15).
Also see the section, ―Y‘shua‘s childhood and upbringing‖, under ―Matt 2:22- 23 "... that He should be called a
Nazarene‖.
James the Brother of Y‟shua―Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and
Simon, and Judas? (Matt 13:55 and Mark 6:3)
―But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother‖. (Gal 1:19)
(5) ―But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to
circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
(6) And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
(7) And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye
know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the
word of the gospel, and believe.