Tyndale Translation 500th Anniversary

Who was William Tyndale?

William Tyndale (1494–1536) was a pioneering translator of the Bible whose work continues to shape the way it is read today. Tyndale was the first to translate the New Testament into English directly from the original Greek, producing a Tyndale New Testament that influenced every major Bible translation that followed. His clear and memorable English style became the foundation for subsequent English translations, and his influences can be seen throughout the King James Bible (1611).

Tyndale’s work came at great personal cost. At a time when translating the Bible into the language of the ordinary people was forbidden, he was forced to live in exile. Eventually, he was betrayed, imprisoned, and executed in 1536. He is remembered as a Tyndale martyr, giving his life to ensure access to Scripture for all.

Tyndale was a Bible scholar and linguist. His work belongs to the whole church, and his legacy is one of faithfulness to Scripture. He stands as a unifying figure for Christians worldwide who value access to the Bible in their own language and recognise his role in the history of the English Bible and in shaping moder biblical scholarship.

Tyndale House Cambridge bears his name because his vision resonates deeply with our mission. He believed that The Bible should be accessible to all, not restricted to a privileged few.

‘If God spare my life, ere many years I will cause a boy who drives a plough to know more of the scriptures than you do’

At Tyndale House Cambridge, we continue this vision by supporting scholars through our International Scholars Programme. Our model encourages scholars to grow both intellectually and spiritually, developing technical skills in biblical scholarship to serve and grow the church in their home countries, and collaborate in an international network that seeks to glorify God.

In 2026, Tyndale House will celebrate the 500^th anniversary of the Tyndale New Testament (1526). This anniversary marks, a turning point in the history of the English Bible and an enduring reminder of why William Tyndale matters today: he placed the word of God into the hands of ordinary people, doing so with attention to the original languages and giving his life for this mission.

Timeline of William Tyndale’s life

llustration of William Tyndale early English Bible translator and Reformation scholar

Illustration marking William Tyndale’s birth around 1494 and his Bachelor of Arts degree completed in 1512

Illustration showing William Tyndale’s early academic progress and his ordination as a sub‑deacon between 1514 and 1521

Illustration of William Tyndale tutoring in 1522–23 and developing a deep love for the Greek language

Illustration featuring William Tyndale’s vow to make the Bible accessible to ordinary English speakers when only the Latin Vulgate was authorised

Illustration displaying William Tyndale’s famous declaration, ‘If God spare my life…’, expressing his commitment to English Bible translation

Illustration of William Tyndale travelling to London in 1523 to seek support from the Bishop for his English New Testament translation

Illustration showing William Tyndale’s move to Cologne in 1525 and the completion of his English New Testament translation in 1526

Illustration marking William Tyndale’s study of Hebrew from 1527 to 1533 and his translation of the Pentateuch into English

Illustration listing English words and phrases coined by William Tyndale that remain in use today

Illustration depicting William Tyndale’s betrayal and arrest for heresy in 1535 and his martyrdom in 1536

Illustration featuring William Tyndale’s final prayer, ‘Lord, open the King of England’s eyes’, spoken at his execution

Download William Tyndale timeline

New Testament Family Tree

William Tyndale’s Life and Legacy podcast series – part 1

The Long Road to the English Bible: William Tyndale’s life and legacy (episode 1)

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A turning point in English history: Tyndale’s Life and Legacy

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‘LORD open the King of England’s eyes’: William Tyndale’s Life and Legacy

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An Enduring Legacy: William Tyndale’s Life and Legacy

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