[Destro]

Any such "cute" translations that you think originated in Aramaic before written in Greek could have been the author's attempt to translate a word in his head from his native Aramaic language to the only language he would have considered writting the Gospel in - Greek.

Why write in a language (Aramaic) no one read in?

[Destro]

A scribe who sat down and wrote in Greek but used Hebrew structure would produce the same result which you beg in your prior example.

You said it better than I did above.

[dsc]

"Why write in a language (Aramaic) no one read in?"

Somebody must have, or it wouldn't have a written form. Further, if you're taking notes and preparing a manuscript, it's quite natural to do it in your own native language.

If I were writing something for a Japanese audience, I'd prepare it in English first.

Actually, though, since the Apostles were all Jews, I find the argument for Hebrew originals to be more compelling.

[Havoc]

The whole thing cropped up over trying to defeat the differences expressed in the Greek in two words "Petra" which means literally Mountain, Bedrock (.. massive immoveable and grounded rock.) And the word Petros which is the term used when referencing small ungrounded rock - boulders, loose stones, carving stones. The argument they intend to make is that there is no difference in the words but there is - furthermore that difference is preserved in the scriptures by the apostles. Petra is used in just the way I've described in every instance it is mentioned and is only used to otherwise reference Christ. I have done this word study before and it is easily duplicateable using a concordance.

Greek is a state of being language. The states of being are important in and of themselves because of what they convey. This is why there are so many versions of the idea of Love expressed in Greek. Each form has a specific meaning distinguishable from the others just as each form of the state of being relating to rock types has a specific distinguishable meaning. It's a specific language and hailed for being so specific. The language was designed to be knitpicky and it stands as a stumbling stone to those who would attempt to distort meaning. I am not sorry LOL.