This week in Christian history: Tyndale executed, ‘Just a Closer Walk With Thee’ recorded

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, October 06, 2024

William Tyndale executed – Oct. 6, 1536

A 19th century portrait of William Tyndale (c.1490-1536), a Protestant theologian best known for his work to translate the Bible into English. | Wikimedia Commons

This week marks the anniversary of when William Tyndale, a Protestant theologian best known for translating much of the Bible into English, was executed for his translation efforts.

Tyndale worked underground to translate the Bible into his native tongue, since, at the time, it was illegal in England to render Scripture into the vernacular. His work would later influence the phrasing of the 1611 King James Version of the Bible.

Tyndale was eventually captured by authorities and spent several years in prison before he was found guilty of heresy in August 1536, and then executed by being strangled and burned at the stake.

“Tyndale stood immovable, his keen eyes gazing toward the common people,” wrote Brian H. Edwards for the Christian History Institute.

“A silence fell over the crowd as they watched the prisoner’s lean form and thin, tired face; his lips moved with a final impassioned prayer that echoed around the place of execution: ‘Lord, open the king of England’s eyes.’”