We are in a very unique era in the history of this world since this year marks the 500th Anniversary of the 1526 Tyndale New Testament.
In 2025 we saw the 500th anniversary of the 1525 version, and this year has enormous significance.
For those who may not know, William Tyndale (c 1494-1536) is a pioneer in the formation of the English language and in the translation of the Bible into English. The original 1st century apostles and gospel writers primarily wrote in Greek, with some texts being translated from Hebrew.
In 300 BC scholars from Alexandria translated the entire Old Testament into Greek and in the 4th century AD Jerome translated the New Testament into Latin.
Translation has been part of church history for centuries and is the key method by which we communicate with one another.
Tyndale was a genius and his translation work should be remembered forever. I love the Tyndale New Testament and I hope that heaven will hold them forever. Being able to read ancient English I don’t have any issues with using old English translations including the Wycliffe, Tyndale, Geneva and King James versions.
The Tyndale New Testament has certainly impacted me very deeply, from those early days when I was studying for my degree and I first held an original 1538 print in John Rylands Library, to the days when I held a 1534 edition at Chetham’s Library to the days when I walked in the footsteps of Tyndale while visiting Oxford. These were golden days and my attachment to Tyndale goes beyond sentiment to the depths of the eternal truth he proclaimed, which cost him dearly.
This year yet again I hope to know more of Tyndale and be blessed by the reading of his translation of the word of God. May that be truly said of us, and all of us. In these dreary times of confusion and upheaval, may each one of us find solace and obedience in the personal revelation of Jesus Christ.
Simon Peter Sutherland 