by David W. Daniels
Question: Who were the translators of the King James Bible?
Answer: God brought together over 54 of the finest Bible translators English has ever known, to translate the King James Bible.
Researching the Translators
For twenty years (the late 1830s to the late 1850s) researcher Alexander McClure pored over records to learn all he could about who translated the King James Bible. His resulting book, Translators Revived: Biographical Notes on the King James Version Translators, stands as a monument to these dedicated Christian men. It may be read online at www.books.google.com. I highly recommend it.
A Few Short Examples
Here are some of the qualified translators of the King James Bible.
John Harman, M.A., New College, Oxford.
In 1585 he had been appointed King’s Professor of Greek. He had published Latin translations of Calvin’s and Beza’s sermons, and was also adept in Greek. He was a member of the New Testament group that met at Oxford.
John Spencer
At 19 years of age he had been elected Greek lecturer for Corpus Christi College in Oxford University. It was written of him, “Of his eminent scholarship there can be no question.” He was a member of the New Testament group (Romans through Jude) that met at Westminster.
Thomas Bilson
McClure wrote that he was “so complete in divinity, so well skilled in languages, so read in the Fathers and Schoolmen, so judicious in making use of his readings, that at length he was found to be no longer a soldier, but commander in chief in the spiritual warfare” (Translators Revived, pp. 214-416).
Dr. George Abbot, B.D., D.D.
Dr. Abbot started at Oxford in 1578, getting his B.D. in 1593 and at 35 years of age both received his doctorate and became first Master of University College, and later Vice Chancellor. He became Bishop of Lichfield in 1609 and Archbishop of Canterbury in 1611. He was regarded as “the head of the Puritans within the Church of England.” He was in the Oxford New Testament group.
Sir Henry Saville
In 1565 Sir Saville was Fellow of Merton College and Warden in 1585. By 1596 he was Provost of Eton College and tutor to Queen Elizabeth I. He founded the Savillian professorships of Mathematics and Astronomy at Oxford. His many works include an 8-volume set of the writings of Chrysostom.(1) He also worked in the New Testament group at Oxford.
Lancelot Andrewes
From Terence H. Brown, (Secretary of the Trinitarian Bible Society, London, England) comes this description of Westminster committee member Lancelot Andrewes:
He “… had his early education at Coopers Free School and Merchant Taylors School, where his rapid progress in the study of the ancient languages was brought to the notice of Dr. Watts, the founder of some scholarships at Pembroke Hall, Cambridge. Andrewes was sent to that College, where he took his B.A. degree and soon afterward was elected Fellow. He then took his Master’s degree and began to study divinity and achieved great distinction as a lecturer. He was raised to several positions of influence in the Church of England and distinguished himself as a diligent and excellent preacher, and became Chaplain to Queen Elizabeth I. King James I promoted him to be Bishop of Chester in 1605 and also gave him the influential position of Lord Almoner. He later became Bishop of Ely and Privy Counsellor. Toward the end of his life he was made Bishop of Winchester.
“It is recorded that Andrewes was a man of deep piety and that King James had such great respect for him that in his presence he refrained from the levity in which he indulged at other times. A sermon preached at Andrewes’ funeral in 1626 paid tribute to his great scholarship:
‘His knowledge in Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Chaldee, Syriac and Arabic, besides fifteen modern languages was so advanced that he may be ranked as one of the rarest linguists in Christendom. A great part of five hours every day he spent in prayer, and in his last illness he spent all his time in prayer — and when both voice and eyes and hands failed in their office, his countenance showed that he still prayed and praised God in his heart, until it pleased God to receive his blessed soul to Himself.'”
Transcending Their Human Limits
Gustavus S. Paine, author of The Men Behind the King James Version, made this assessment about the work of the combined translators:
“Though we may challenge the idea of word-by-word inspiration, we surely must conclude that these were men able, in their profound moods, to transcend their human limits. In their own words, they spake as no other men spake because they were filled with the Holy Ghost. Or, in the clumsier language of our time, they so adjusted themselves to each other and to the work as to achieve a unique coordination and balance, functioning thereafter as an organic entity–no mere mechanism equal to the sum of its parts, but a whole greater than all of them.” (2)
While these scholars were perfectly suited for the task of translation individually, they still had to agree on every single word of the Bible. That meant man’s mere opinion could not be allowed to stand in the text.
The One Who Started It All
But these translators were standing on the shoulders of great men and Christians who went before them. And one man did more for the English Bible than any single person before or since: William Tyndale. He was ordained a priest around his late teens, in 1502. By 1515 he had earned his M.A. at Oxford and later transferred to Cambridge. It was there that he came upon the preserved Greek New Testament of Erasmus, and at the same time as Martin Luther, he came to understand the truth of the gospel. Tyndale began preaching and teaching the gospel message, which made the Roman Catholics angry with him, branding him a heretic. One day, while proving a “learned” Roman Catholic scholar wrong, the papist cried out, “It were better for us to be without God’s laws, than without the Pope’s!” To which Tyndale prophetically replied,
“I defy the Pope, and all his laws; and if God spare my life, ere many years, I will cause a boy that driveth the plough to know more of the Scripture than you do!”
This changed Tyndale forever. He wrote about this incident,
“Which thing only moved me to translate the New Testament. Because I had perceived by experience, how that it was impossible to establish the lay people in any truth, except the Scriptures were plainly laid before their eyes in the mother tongue” (Translators Revived, p. 23).
Tyndale was well suited to his task. Spalatin, a friend of Martin Luther, wrote this in his diary of what professor Herman Buschius told him about Tyndale and his New Testament:
“The work was translated by an Englishman staying there with two others,–a man so skilled in the seven languages, Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Italian, Spanish, English, and French, that which-ever he spake, you would suppose it his native tongue” (Translators Revived, pp. 27-28)
By the time Tyndale was betrayed by his friend, imprisoned and nearly frozen during a cold winter in his cell, he had translated the New Testament into English, along with some Old Testament books, and had trained at least two others to carry on his work. But he wasn’t finished, even when burnt at the stake on October 6, 1536, he cried out prophetically:
“Lord! Open the King of England’s eyes” (Dr. William Grady, Final Authority, p. 137)
That very day a copy of Tyndale’s New Testament was being printed by the King’s own printer!
Conclusion
Tyndale’s work of translation was so excellent, that easily 70% of the words of the Bible are Tyndale’s. God had set the standard. Over the next century, God’s preserved words were translated and revised by many scholars, a great many “good translations.” These, along with God’s preserved words in Italian, Spanish, French, Dutch and other languages were all “good translations.” But the goal of the king’s translators of 1604-1611 was not to write a new Bible from scratch, nor was it to make a translation from the Roman Catholic perversions:
“Truly, good Christian Reader, we never thought from the beginning that we should need to make a new translation, nor yet to make of a bad one a good one; … but to make a good one better, or out of many good ones one principal good one, not justly to be excepted against; that hath been our endeavor, that our mark” (The Translators to the Reader, 1611 KJV, ninth page).
And that is exactly what God did. Throughout history God preserved His words. And, culminating with over 54 dedicated, learned Christian men, God put His words in English in its perfection in one final translation: The King James Bible.
May God bless you as you read His preserved words in English, the King James Bible.
Footnotes
Articles
Bowels of Mercies [podcast]
“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. 15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: 16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 2:14-17
“Now the end (supreme goal) of the commandment (Word of God, Gospel) is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:” 1 Timothy 1:5
Recently a dear brother in Christ who got to reading on the ministry site, sent me an email claiming that I was perhaps being too harsh in some of the expose’s on the site. After I responded, this dear man sent back an apology, asking forgiveness for his own unwarranted harshness towards me.
Whew! Saints this is exactly how we should humbly work out things in the body of Christ, whose love never fails!
Here was the response sent to him:
“Blessings in Christ dear brother and thank you for the iron sharpening iron (Proverbs 27:17). Please let me know how can be a blessing to you (Ps 133:1; Eph 4:3).”
“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” Colossians 3:12-14
WHEN we aren’t concerned about how we are affecting others, it’s because we don’t care for them and are full of self (Colossians 4:6).
“Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” Colossians 4:6
“Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:” 1 Peter 1:22
“Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.” 2 Corinthians 6:12
“For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:8
“If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,” Philippians 2:1
“For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.” Philemon 1:7
“Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:” Philemon 1:12
“Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.” Philemon 1:20
“But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” 1 John 3:17
Saints, may our LORD help us to HELP other disciples who are in the same fight as we are in and help them in the LORD’s process of sanctification. Galatians 6:1-2; 2 Timothy 2:24-26
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Christology | Be Ready in the Morning [podcast] | Fresh Start with God | Making Peace with God | 100’s of Christ-Centered, Scripture-Rich Podcasts | Rooted and Grounded in Christ
Abiding
Kiss Jesus Or be Crushed as His Enemy! [podcast]
Satan’s Pitiful Petty Perverted Pawns have an Expiration Date!
“Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.” Isaiah 13:9
Psalm 2 is Prophetic of Christ and of His Return to Take back Possession of His Planet, Earth
The Reign of the Lord’s Anointed
1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.
10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
GOD told us He’s laughing at these luciferians and all their “elaborate plans” to control humanity. Read Psalms 2. Jesus is coming. His enemies will be crushed under His holy, Almighty feet (Romans 16:20).
“And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.” Romans 16:20
The future belongs exclusively to Jesus Christ and His followers. Read the book of Revelation!
“And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.” Matthew 21:44
Jesus is coming back “In flaming fire taking vengeance.”
“And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.” 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10
The Coming of the Son of Man
“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:25-28
Just as Aaron’s rod swallowed up the rods of the sorcerers of Egypt (the world), so shall Christ’s kingdom swallow up the kingdoms of this world! (Exodus 7:12; Daniel 2:44; 7:14) Will you be a part of Christ’s eternal kingdom?
“And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” Revelation 11:15
Bow now or burn forever.
All who refuse to repent, bowing down to “kiss the Son” of God will perish in their own corruption and be violently vanquished into the bowels of eternal damnation, the prison of fire, which will then be “cast into the lake of fire.”
“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:14-15
“EVERY Knee”
“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison Ministry | Mexico Mission here | The Return of Christ | Stewardship | Where to Give and Where Not to Give | Fruit Abounding to Your Account! | Consider Your Ways [podcast] | Consider and Build [podcast] | Holes in Your Money Bags? [podcast] | Dollar Dialogue | Jesus Sat Over Against The Treasury [podcast] | Escaping Sodom! | Waste | Stewardship | Giving | Fellowship
Articles
Mission Mexico Part 31
Jesus is coming saints. Let us pour our lives, prayers, and resources into accomplishing the Great Commission Jesus sent us to accomplish – to teach and to teach His Word, to see people saved and become His disciples (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20, etc.).
If anyone wishes to step up and contribute to the next printing of the JESUS tracts in Spanish that are being distributed daily, please do. At this point, the ministry cannot afford to print this next batch. Sad but true.
HINT: There is plenty of opportunity to contribute to Mission Mexico. We are going to continue to feed the poor and minister Christ’s Gospel – regardless of the fumes we are presently operating on. Thank God for those who are praying and supporting. This opportunity to obey God lies in front of each of us. What shall we do?
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35
To say that this ministry is under-funded is an understatement.
Mission Mexico – See more here.
Reminder: The people we take pictures of are specifically asked if they’d like Christians in the USA to lift them in prayer. They all agree and are blessed to know you are lifting them in prayer.
“‘Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.’ Jeremiah 1:5
This verse is a powerful reminder that every life has value and purpose to the LORD, given by GOD even before birth. GOD does not work by accident. He plans, calls, and appoints people for His work long before the world ever notices them. Just as Jeremiah was set apart, the hungry, the poor, and the forgotten we serve are known and loved by GOD.
When you give, you are stepping into GOD’s plan to reach lives He already knows by name. Your generosity helps feed bodies and opens hearts to hear the gospel. As Scripture says:
“The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few.” Your support allows us to be those laborers, bringing both daily bread and the Bread of Life to those GOD has already called.” Bill Wegener
You are invited to sign up to give a monthly gift for Mission Mexico 2026. It is much needed. Lots of opportunity. Takes seconds to help. Support here.
Your prayer this day is appreciated for the beloved people of Mexico.
Would you like to pause and lift in prayer David and Jorge, both who have been ministered to and are in need of salvation. God is good.
“Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.” Psalm 2:8
Jorge wept as he received ministry. He made it clear during this conversation that he fully knows Jesus is coming him to Himself. Several times he said he knows this is God, that we were ordained to meet. He told me he just feels like dying. God is able. Thank you for lifting this young man in prayer.
Thank you for pausing to lift a prayer to our Father in Jesus’ name for the people of Mexico.
“I met Todd and had an encounter with God (got saved); everything happens for a reason. In my case, it was understanding the strength in God’s Word through the Reina Valera Bible.” Daniel, Mexico
“Thank you for sending God’s Word to me. You have no idea how much I needed to hear that!!! This year was very difficult for me.” Arely, Mexico
Because you care, you prayed, you gave….. Cenovio, a homeless man, was treated to the hearing of our LORD’s bless-ed Gospel message, a delicious hot meal, hot coffee, fresh water, and a JESUS tract. It was a super blessed time with this man. Thank God and you!
Would you like to pause and pray for Cenovio?
Sister Teresita in FL has led 3 people to Jesus today …. So far.
Thank you for praying for great fruitfulness with the saints in Florida.
“WE are labourers TOGETHER with God.” 1 Cor 3:9
Thanks for declaring with your prayer and support that the beloved souls of the Mexican people matter!!!! – because they do! Jesus is King and He’s coming saints!
Your giving and prayers makes these things possible: This beloved woman (above) received a nice warm meal and cold water last evening. Oh and food for several members of her family.
Mission Mexico is made possible by the prayers and support of God’s people.
Lots of opportunity. Takes seconds to help. Support here.
***To date the ministry outreach is receiving an average of $1000 total per month to function on. Thank God for those who are supplying prayers and financial support. It is much needed. SGYS supports other ministries in the USA and the Philippines.
Download. Read. Print out your supply of the JESUS tract – English and Spanish.
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison Ministry | Mexico Mission here | Zambia Mission | All Ministry Updates | The Greatest of these is Charity | Be Ready in the Morning [podcast] | The Sure Mercies of David [podcast] | That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast] | At His Feet | Prepared to be Used of God | Great Commission
Bowels of Mercies [podcast]
Kiss Jesus Or be Crushed as His Enemy! [podcast]
Mission Mexico Part 31
Mother Teresa was a Fraud [podcast]
The Truth about Fellowship and Going to “Church” [podcast]
Death and Resurrection
Settled at His Feet [video]
WHAT is the Context of Fighting the Good Fight of Faith? [podcast]
Satan’s First Lie that He is Still Telling Today! [podcast]
LORD, Prepare Me! [podcast]
The Truth about Fellowship and Going to “Church”
Dispensationalism Exposed as an Antichrist Cult [podcast]
THE DEVIL IS A LIAR [podcast]
Soul Sleep Exposed: Where Do We Go When We Die?
The First Commandment with Promise [podcast]
Mother Teresa was a Fraud [podcast]
Dispensationalism Exposed as an Antichrist Cult [podcast]
Rejecting the Swine: Swine Among Us! [podcast]
Satan’s First Lie that He is Still Telling Today! [podcast]
Sending the Divine Light into “The Prison House” [podcast]
The Lying Vanity of “Eternal Security” [podcast]
WHAT’S On Jesus’ Prayer List? [podcast]
Tozer: The Cross
Bowels of Mercies [podcast]
Parenting and the Eternal Destiny of Your Child [podcast]
LIE OF THE AGES: From the Garden to Glory [podcast]
The Goal of the Ungodly Eternal Security Teachers [podcast]
Settled at His Feet [video]
Kiss Jesus Or be Crushed as His Enemy! [podcast]
The First Commandment with Promise [podcast]
Bowels of Mercies [podcast]
Kiss Jesus Or be Crushed as His Enemy! [podcast]
Mission Mexico Part 31
-
America9 months agoThe Drugging of America: The Pharmakeia Sorcery Deception [podcast]
-
Articles2 years ago
Children being Rescued in Tunnels: Happening Now – UPDATE!
-
Articles8 years ago
Self-Examination in Preparation for the Lord’s Return
-
Apostasy2 years ago
SHOCKING List of False Prophets Most Believe are True
Providing Christ-centered Scripture-rich resources to feed, edify, and equip the body of Christ (John 21:15-17; Ephesians 4:11-15).
Navigation
Quick links
Newsletter
Stay updated of the ministry operations. We saved a spot for you on the ministry email list.
© 2025 Safe Guard Your Soul. All Rights Reserved