Omanghana
Jesus did not read from a printed Bible like those found in homes and churches today. During his earthly ministry, the New Testament had not yet been written, and the Gospel accounts describe him reading Jewish sacred texts from scrolls.
These scriptures formed the foundation of his teaching and belong to the scriptural tradition preserved in the Hebrew Bible, or Tanakh. Christians recognise these writings within the Old Testament, although the contents and arrangement of Old Testament collections vary across Christian traditions.
The Tanakh has three main divisions: the Torah, meaning the Law; the Nevi’im, or Prophets; and the Ketuvim, or Writings. These encompass the books of Moses, prophetic works such as Isaiah and Jeremiah, and texts including Psalms and Proverbs.
Luke 24:44 records Jesus referring to the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms when explaining how Scripture pointed to him. This reference highlights the place these writings held in his teaching.
However, describing Jesus as using a single, fixed edition identical to a modern Bible would oversimplify the historical evidence. Different textual forms and translations circulated in the first century, and scholars continue to examine the precise boundaries of scriptural collections during that period.
Greek translations commonly known as the Septuagint were also available. They played an important role among Greek-speaking Jewish communities and influenced many scriptural quotations in the New Testament. Their use by Gospel writers, however, does not establish which language Jesus used on every occasion.
One of the clearest descriptions of Jesus reading Scripture appears in Luke 4:16–21. Visiting the synagogue in Nazareth, he stood to read and received the scroll of Isaiah. He unrolled it and read a passage proclaiming good news to the poor, freedom for captives and relief for the oppressed.
After returning the scroll to the attendant, Jesus sat down and declared: “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” The account presents Scripture as central to his explanation of his mission.
Source: Omanghana
