5 Aramaic Words of Jesus and What They Mean Today

Have you ever noticed that in certain parts of the Gospels, the authors leave some of Jesus’ words untranslated and then explain their meaning?

It is as if the early Church wanted to preserve the true “sound” of Jesus’ voice in his native language.

In the early days of Christianity, the four Gospels were translated into Greek to facilitate their spread throughout the world. Yet the disciples who recorded them preserved certain words and short phrases in Aramaic—the language Jesus himself spoke.

This serves as a sign of the Gospels’ authenticity. In first-century Judaism, as in many ancient civilizations, oral tradition was transmitted according to strict rules of fidelity, phrase by phrase.

The golden rule in ancient schools was memorization under the supervision of a teacher, who—especially in rabbinical settings—would repeat each lesson at least four times.

1) Talitha koum

In the Gospel of Mark, we read:

“He took the girl by the hand and said to her, ‘Talitha koum,’ which means, ‘Little girl, I say to you, arise’” (Mark 5:41).

Mark preserves the Aramaic phrase and then translates it so that the power of the moment is not lost. Jesus enters the house of the synagogue leader, where everyone believes the girl is already dead. Yet he takes her by the hand, speaks these words, and she rises and begins to walk.

“Talitha koum” may be how Jesus continues to speak to hearts today that feel hopeless or unable to go on. In moments of depression, spiritual exhaustion, or discouragement, Christ still says: “I say to you, arise.”

2) Ephphatha

Another key moment appears in Mark:

“Looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, ‘Ephphatha,’ which means, ‘Be opened’” (Mark 7:34).

Jesus encounters a man who is deaf and has difficulty speaking. He approaches him, touches his ears and tongue, and speaks this word. Not only are the man’s physical ears opened, but this moment also reveals what Jesus desires to do in all of us: to open us to God and to others.

He quiets the noise of sin, pride, and fear, creating space for us to hear his voice and proclaim it.

The Church has preserved this word even in the rite of Baptism, praying that a person’s ears may be opened to the faith and their mouth ready to proclaim it. Jesus still says “Ephphatha” to those who resist listening—or struggle to speak about him.

3) Abba

“Abba,” meaning “Father,” is the intimate word Jesus uses to address God.

No one had ever dared to use such a familiar expression in prayer. According to Jewish tradition, “Abba” (father) and “Imma” (mother) are among the first words a child learns—making “Abba” a term of deep trust and closeness.

In Gethsemane, during his most difficult hour, Jesus prays:

“Abba, Father, all things are possible for you; take this cup away from me; yet not what I will, but what you will” (Mark 14:36).

The first Christians adopted this same word in their own prayer (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6).

In times of uncertainty, when prayer feels difficult, we too can say: “Abba, Father…”—not as a formula, but as an act of trust, like a child resting in a loving Father’s hands.

4) Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani

On the cross, both Matthew and Mark preserve Jesus’ cry:

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34).

Mark records the Aramaic form: Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani, while Matthew presents a Hebrew variation.

This line opens Psalm 22—a prayer that begins in anguish but ends in trust and praise. In speaking these words, Jesus takes upon himself the cry of all who feel abandoned, misunderstood, or crushed by suffering.

It is not a cry of despair, but the prayer of the Son who truly suffers and yet continues to trust the Father.

When we cannot find words in our pain, we can take up this prayer, knowing Christ has already prayed it before us.

5) Rabboni

The Gospel of John recounts that when Mary Magdalene recognizes the risen Jesus, she exclaims:

“Rabboni!”—which means “Teacher” (John 20:16).

This Aramaic title expresses both reverence and deep affection. In that moment, Mary moves from grief to joy simply because Jesus calls her by name—and she responds.

Every time we encounter Jesus, he calls us personally. To respond “Rabboni” is to acknowledge him as our teacher, our Lord, and our everything.

Why Did the Church Preserve These Words?

Biblical scholars explain that these Aramaic and Hebrew expressions reflect the vivid memory the early Christian communities had of Jesus. They preserved not only what he said, but even how some of his words sounded.

This strengthens the historical credibility of the Gospels, suggesting they were rooted in eyewitness testimony.

A striking comparison can be made with the apocryphal gospels, which show no trace of this Aramaic background. Linguistic study (philology) thus provides valuable evidence supporting the historical reliability of the canonical Gospels.