Why was the new testament written in greek

The New Testament was written in Greek because of a combination of historical, cultural, and linguistic factors. Here are some reasons why:

1. Greek was the lingua franca of the Mediterranean: In the 1st century AD, Greek was the common language of the Mediterranean region, widely spoken and understood by people from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds. It was the language of trade, commerce, and diplomacy, and many people, including Jews, used it as a second language.
2. Jewish Hellenism: Many Jews, particularly those living in the Diaspora (outside of Palestine), had adopted Greek culture and language. This was especially true in cities like Alexandria, Antioch, and Ephesus, where Greek was the dominant language. The Jewish community in these cities had developed a distinct form of Judaism, known as Hellenistic Judaism, which blended Jewish traditions with Greek culture and language.
3. The Septuagint: The Septuagint (LXX) was a Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, completed around 250 BC. This translation was widely used by Jewish communities in the Diaspora and became the basis for later Christian translations of the Old Testament. The Septuagint's use of Greek helped to establish Greek as a language of biblical scholarship and interpretation.
4. Christianity's roots in Jewish Hellenism: Early Christianity emerged from Jewish Hellenistic communities, where Greek was already widely spoken. The apostles and early Christian leaders, such as Paul, Peter, and John, were likely familiar with Greek and used it in their ministry and writings.
5. Practical considerations: Writing in Greek allowed the authors of the New Testament to communicate with a broader audience, including both Jewish and Gentile (non-Jewish) Christians. Greek was a more widely understood language than Hebrew or Aramaic, which were the languages spoken by Jesus and his original followers.
6. Influence of the Roman Empire: The Roman Empire, which had conquered much of the Mediterranean world, also promoted the use of Greek as a language of administration and governance. This further solidified Greek as a dominant language in the region.
7. Theological and literary considerations: Greek was also a language well-suited for theological and literary expression. It had a rich vocabulary and grammatical structure, which allowed the authors of the New Testament to convey complex theological ideas and narratives with precision and elegance.

In summary, the New Testament was written in Greek because of the widespread use of the language in the Mediterranean region, the influence of Jewish Hellenism, the practical considerations of communication with a broader audience, and the theological and literary advantages of the language.