Explore the Holy Scriptures
The translation of the Bible into English is one of the most remarkable journeys in the history of Christianity. It not only shaped the faith of millions but also profoundly influenced literature, culture, and even politics. From the first attempts in the Middle Ages to modern digital versions, the trajectory of the Bible in English is marked by courage, persecution, and transformation.
The earliest translations of the Bible into English occurred at a time when the language was still evolving. In the 7th century, the monk Caedmon created poetic paraphrases of biblical stories. By the 8th century, Bede, the Venerable, translated parts of the Gospel of John into Old English.
King Alfred the Great (9th century) also encouraged the translation of portions of the Bible, especially the Ten Commandments, making the Scriptures more accessible to his people. However, these versions were limited and did not circulate widely.
The true milestone for the English Bible was the translation by John Wycliffe and his followers, known as Wycliffe’s Bible (1382). It was the first complete translation of the Scriptures into Middle English, based on the Latin Vulgate.
Wycliffe believed that everyone should have direct access to God’s Word without relying solely on the clergy. This displeased ecclesiastical authorities. After his death, the Catholic Church condemned his work, prohibited its circulation, and persecuted his followers, the Lollards.
One of the most important figures in the history of the Bible in English is William Tyndale. In 1526, he published the New Testament in English, translated directly from Greek. Later, he also worked on the Old Testament using Hebrew.
Tyndale’s translation was revolutionary because it moved away from the Vulgate and brought readers closer to the original texts. However, it was considered heretical, and Tyndale was eventually arrested, convicted of treason, and executed in 1536.
Despite his tragic death, his translation left a profound legacy. It is estimated that over 80% of the King James Version (1611) was influenced by his work.
After Tyndale’s death, other scholars continued his work. Miles Coverdale published, in 1535, the first complete printed Bible in English, still partly based on Tyndale’s translation.
A few years later, under the reign of Henry VIII, the Great Bible (1539) appeared, the first officially authorized version for public reading in English churches.
During the reign of Queen Mary I, many English Protestants were exiled to Geneva, Switzerland. There, in 1560, they produced the Geneva Bible, a translation made directly from the original texts.
This version became extremely popular among the common people, partly because it included explanatory notes and commentary. It was the Bible used by the Puritans and carried by the Mayflower pilgrims to America in 1620.
The most famous English Bible translation is undoubtedly the King James Version (KJV), published in 1611. Commissioned by King James I of England, it was created by about 50 scholars who reviewed previous translations and compared them with the original manuscripts available at the time.
The KJV stood out for its majestic language and literary style. It not only unified the use of the Bible in England but also became a masterpiece of world literature. For centuries, it was the main Bible used in English-speaking countries, influencing writers, poets, and preachers.
From the 19th century onwards, new archaeological discoveries, such as the Codex Sinaiticus and the Codex Vaticanus, provided older and more accurate biblical manuscripts. This led to the need for new translations that were more faithful to the original texts.
Thus emerged the Revised Version (1885), which modernized the language of the KJV. Other important translations followed, such as the Revised Standard Version (1952), the New American Standard Bible (1971), and the New International Version (1978), the latter seeking a balance between textual fidelity and clarity for modern readers.
With advances in technology, the Bible in English has become even more accessible. Today, versions such as the New Living Translation (1996) and the English Standard Version (2001) are available in apps, websites, and audio Bibles.
Projects like Bible Gateway and YouVersion allow millions of people to read the Bible in English for free in multiple versions. Furthermore, new translations continue to appear, seeking greater clarity, accuracy, and applicability to the contemporary world.
The history of Bible translation into English is marked by visionary pioneers, persecution, blood, and above all, dedication to God’s Word. From the first medieval attempts, through William Tyndale’s sacrifice, the influence of the Geneva Bible, and the cultural impact of the King James Version, to modern digital versions, this journey demonstrates the human desire to understand the Scriptures in one’s own language.
Today, thanks to this legacy, English has hundreds of different translations, each catering to various audiences and reading styles. God’s Word, once restricted to Latin and inaccessible to the people, is now within everyone’s reach, fulfilling the ideal that inspired men like Wycliffe and Tyndale: that every person could hear God’s voice in their own language.