Tyndale's New Testament

by Anonymous, William Tyndale (Translation), David Daniell (Editor)

A modern-spelling edition of the 1534 Translation. The translation of the New Testament into English from its original Greek was printed in Germany in 1534 and smuggled back into England. It therefore escaped the fate of Tyndale's previous version, which had been seized and publicly burnt by the authorities. The 1534 edition outraged the clerical establishment by giving the laity access to the word of GOD, in print in English for the first time. Tyndale, who was already in exile for political reasons, was hunted down and subsequently burned at the stake for blasphemy. 429 Pages, 6" X 8" X 1".

Genres: Religion, Reference, Christian, Theology

480 pages, Paperback

First published September 10, 1989

About the author

Books can be attributed to "Anonymous" for several reasons:

* They are officially published under that name
* They are traditional stories not attributed to a specific author
* They are religious texts not generally attributed to a specific author

Books whose authorship is merely uncertain should be attributed to Unknown.

See also: Anonymous

Reviews

[Raymond · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone who knows the King James Version of the Holy Bible - in truth, for anyone who knows the Holy Bible - William Tyndale's 1534 New Testament (now nearly 500 years old) is a fascination. On the first page of an introduction by David Daniell, there is a compelling reason for pursuing Tyndale: "…Astonishment is still voiced that the dignitaries who prepared the 1611 Authorized Version for King James spoke so often with one voice - apparently miraculously. Of course they did: the voice (never acknowledged by them) was Tyndale's…" Here the root of the noble language/poetry of the King James Version is found. At turns, Tyndale exceeds the KJV authors. Oh - the beginning of Chapter 6, St. Matthew: "Take heed to your alms, that ye give it not in the sight of men, to the intent that you would be seen of them. Or else ye get no reward of your father which is in heaven. Whensoever therefore thou givest thine alms, thou shalt not make a trumpet to be blown before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues, and in the corners of the streets, for to be praised of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward…"

Whensoever thou givest -

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was pretty interesting. Obviously it has value in and of itself, but to read it in contrast to the KJV, my usual version, was fun. Some was the same, much was different (I mean, of course, translated differently: for example, in this version, Death rides a green horse). I particularly enjoyed reading Tyndale's commentaries and interpretations and his introductions to the various books. It was particularly fun to read him justifying Hebrews, which is one of my favorite books.

I think overall, the value of reading this version, beyond the scholarly interest of the history of the translation of the New Testament, is to experience a masterful work created by someone who is clearly devoted to God and to scriptures. There is no hint of personal aggrandizement here, just a guy who loves the scriptures working to make them accessible. Very good.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful look into the First translation into English of the Old Testament from the original languages. It is easy to see that it is true that the team of New Testament translators appointed by King James used 80% of Tyndall's words in the King James Translation. We owe our KJV to William Tyndall, who gave his life as a result.

[sch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read portions of this marvelous edition in graduate school. This time I read two Gospels, Romans, and 1 Corinthians.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

First sentence: This is the book of the generation of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son also of Abraham.

This edition is a modern-spelling edition of the 1534 Translation. The translation of the New Testament into English from its original Greek was printed in Germany in 1534 and smuggled back into England. It was not the first translation of the New Testament into English. The Wycliffe New Testament was translated from the Latin Vulgate and not the Greek New Testament. Also the Wycliffe was not widely distributed and for everyone. (The Wycliffe New Testament was BEFORE the invention of the printing press.) The Tyndale--though forbidden and illegal--was meant to put the Word of God into the hands of everyone. Tyndale wanted the Word of God known by the people of God. Actually known, read, studied, interpreted. The invention of the printing press was providential in spreading the ideas of the Reformation and printing Bibles.

I enjoyed reading Tyndale's New Testament. I did. I would definitely recommend this edition of the New Testament.

You can really tell that Tyndale meant his translation to be read and understood by everyone. It is clearly and beautifully written.
And it fortuned while they were there, her time was come that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first begotten son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them within in the inn. And there were in the same region shepherds abiding in the field and watching their flock by night. And lo: the angel of the Lord stood hard by them, and the brightness of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. But the angel said unto them: Be not afraid. For behold, I bring you tidings of great joy that shall come to all the people: for unto you is born this day in the city of David, a savior which is Chris the Lord. And take this for a sign: ye shall find the child swaddled and laid in a manger. And straightway there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly soldiers, lauding God and saying: Glory to God on high, and peace on the earth: and unto men rejoicing. (Luke 2:1-14)
For God so loveth the world, that he hath given his only son, that none that believe in him, should perish: but should have everlasting life. For God sent not his son into the world, to condemn the world: but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him, shall not be condemned. But he that believeth not, is condemned already, because he believeth not in the name of the only son of God. And this is the condemnation: that light is come into the world, and the men loved darkness more than light, because their deeds were evil. (John 3:16-19)
No man can come to me except the father which hath sent me, draw him. And I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, that they shall all be taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard and hath learned of the father cometh unto me. Not that any man hath seen the father, save he which is of God: the same hath seen the father. Verily verily I say unto you, he that believeth on me, hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness and are dead. This is the bread which cometh from heaven, that he which eateth of it, should also not die. I am that living bread which came down from heaven. If any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever. And the bread that I will give, is my flesh, which I will give for the life of this world. (John 6:44-51)
And he said unto his disciples: Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God and believe in me. In my father's house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you even unto myself, that where I am, there may ye be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas said unto him: Lord we know now whither thou goest. Also how is it possible for us to know the way? Jesus said unto him: I am the way, the truth, and the life. And no man cometh unto the father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye had known my father also. And now ye know him, and have seen him. (John 14:1-7)
As soon as Jesus had received of the vinegar, he said: It is finished, and bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. (John 19:30)
When he saw the people, he went up into a mountain, and when he was set, his disciples came to him, and he opened his mouth, and taught them saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meal: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which suffer persecution for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when men revile you, and persecute you, and shall falsely say all manner of evil sayings against you for my sake. Rejoice, and be glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For so persecuted they the prophets which were before your days. (Matthew 5:12)
I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercifulness of God, that ye make your bodies a quick sacrifice holy and acceptable unto God which is your reasonable serving of God. And fashion not yourselves like unto this world: But be ye changed in your shape, by the renewing of your wits that ye may feel what thing that good, that acceptable, and perfect will of God is. (Romans 12:1-2)
This edition has modern spelling. It makes Tyndale's translation a comfortable choice. Here's a small taste of the original spelling:
I beseche you therfore brethre by ye mercyfulnes of God that ye make youre bodyes aquicke sacrifise holy and acceptable vnto God which is youre resonable seruynge of god. And fassion not youre selves lyke vnto this worlde: But be ye chaunged in youre shape by the renuynge of youre wittes that ye maye fele what thynge that good yt acceptable and perfaycte will of god is. (Romans 12:1-2)
For God so loveth the worlde yt he hath geven his only sonne that none that beleve in him shuld perisshe: but shuld have everlastinge lyfe. (John 3:16)
And he sayd vnto his disciples: Let not youre hertes be troubled. Beleve in god and beleve in me. In my fathers housse are many mansions. If it were not so I wolde have tolde you. I go to prepare a place for you.And yf I go to prepare a place for you I will come agayne and receave you eve vnto my selfe yt where I am there maye ye be also. (John 14:1-3)

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an ongoing read, but has been very very worthwhile. Highly highly recommended!

[Brent · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic facsimile reprint of Tyndale's famous 1534 edition of the New Testament, this is a wonderful edition to have sitting on my shelf. The notes in the margins are most fascinating, from the mind of Tyndale himself.

More interesting is that the Authorized King James Version of 1611 largely borrowed from Tyndale's translation, being that it was the first translation into English not based off of the Vulgate. In short, this guy in certainly a treat, and is worth picking up for any lover of Scripture.

Brent McCulley

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading a facsimile of a Tyndale New Testament can be difficult due to the non-standardized spelling and punctuation. This edition makes reading an historically important publication easy. The background information on development of versification and "aids" was very interesting.

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scripture.

[Amanda]

Reading Matthew for a grad class