In reply to:
use of Greek for the Gospels
As our resident chaplain noted, there are a number of reasons for thinking Jesus spoke Greek as well as Aramaic. Add the fact the Galilee was on a major trade route and Koine Greek was the lingua franca of the ancient world.
As to the Gospels being written in Greek and when, there are scholars who assume that the synoptic Gospels (and maybe St. John too) were originally written (or at least composed and passed along orally) in Aramaic and only later written down in Greek (the koine variety, of course). As to the date of their composition it is now, I believe, generally agreed by scholars that St. Mark was written first (ca. 65 AD ??), St. John last (by 110 latest ??). This means that the reduction to writing of the narrative of the life and teachings of Jesus got started about a generation after their occurrence. To us moderns, accustomed to instant history, this seems like a long time and too long to be of any historical value; but in terms of ancient history, this is not unusual -- rather prompt, if anything. Besides that, it is argued that no one wrote down the teachings of Jesus promptly because the first Christians believed that Jesus' return to Earth was imminent, certainly before that generation died out. When this didn't happen, it occurred to them that it would be prudent to get things in writing.
