The history of how the Bible came to be written in English is a pretty intense and even gruesome drama. The Bible was originally written in Hebrew and Greek until, in 382 AD under the direction of Pope Damasus, it was translated into Latin. That Bible was used pretty exclusively by the clergy. Some years later, things got really interesting.

There was a man named John Wycliffe who was born in England in 1330. He died of a stroke in 1384. During his life, he was an Oxford professor and theologian who wanted common people to be able to read the Bible for themselves. Therefore, he used the current Latin manuscripts to create a translation into Middle English. However, in 1407, 23 years after his death, it was decided that a Bible in English was illegal. Therefore, Wycliffe was declared a heretic and efforts were made to burn every hand-written copy that could be found. Hatred for his work continued to grow till in 1428, 44 years after his death, his body was exhumed and burned!

English wasn’t the only language to be challenged. There was a man named John Hus who lived from 1359-1415 in what is now the Czech Republic. He was a theologian who wanted the Bible to be in Czech for his people to be able to read so that they could understand its truths. So, he set about translating the Bible from the original Greek and Hebrew languages into Czech. Unfortunately, he too was found guilty of heresy and was burned at the stake. Some say that the kindling used to start that fire were remaining copies of Wycliffe’s English Bible that had survived.

Next, there was a man named William Tyndale who was born in England and lived from 1494-1536. He, too, set about translating the Bible into English from Hebrew and Greek. He also wanted everyone to understand that there is forgiveness for our sins because of Jesus’ death, rather than through our works. As he started his work, he became very aware of the danger he faced by taking on this venture. He actually had to flee from country to country, so that he could hide, since again, it was still felt that translating the Bible into English was against the law. Sadly, a supposed friend betrayed him. He was also convicted of heresy and his death came by strangulation before he was burned at the stake.

It wasn’t until the 16th century that an English translation was finally authorized in England for public use and it spread from there. Wycliffe Bible Translators and other organizations are still working toward the goal of putting the Bible into the hands of those who have none. By the way, of the over 7,000 languages in the world, there are 985 languages left in which no work has yet begun.

Was it worth being strangled and burned at the stake? You decide. I’m so thankful for these men who risked their lives to create a Bible unique to each culture. I am thankful that we can again read of the resurrection of Jesus on Easter. In that, we have the promise that His blood was shed for all people, everywhere, throughout all time. May we never take it for granted!

Author of a second book, “Journeys in Faith, Pursing Obedience,” containing more than 50 additional devotionals written for The Minot Daily News.