What is the Matthew Bible?

What is the Matthew Bible?

The Matthew Bible contains all of the translated work by William Tyndale and the remaining sections were translated and edited by John Rogers. It was first printed in 1537 and again in 1549. Coverdale had printed an earlier Bible, but it lacked the updated versions from Tyndale, was hastily compiled, and was missing several other Tyndale translations. Wycliff translated from Latin. Every previous Bible relied on foreign texts, such as those written in Latin, to translate. Tyndale was the first to use the original languages. He said that he did not rely on any other English translations and instead used the original writings. Although some scholars have argued that he did not have access to original writings they cannot disprove him since Roger’s testified of secreting away Tyndale’s translations.

After political pressure relaxed a little, Rogers recovered the works of Tyndale and compiled them in a Bible. Rogers and Coverdale signed this Bible with the pseudonym Thomas Matthew. In Greek, this name means “a twin to the first.” This may have been a reference to the first translations of Tyndale’s which were burned in the street, as he later was also burned. The pseudonym worked and the king granted licenses to print the Bible, reportedly with the stipulation that it must contain the Apocrypha. This Bible became the first original-languages-to-English Bible ever printed. Although the other translations were helpful, none could claim this title. The Matthew Bible comprises about 77% of today’s King James authorized version. Eventually, John Rogers was also martyred for his work in translating and compiling the final scriptures. This Bible was signed in the blood of the English translators who shared the same spiritual desire to preserve the truth as did its authors.