Matthew’s Bible is a sixteenth-century English translation, produced in 1537 under the name “Thomas Matthew,” which was almost certainly a pseudonym for John Rogers, an associate of William Tyndale. The World English Bible, often shortened to WEB, is a modern public-domain revision of the American Standard Version of 1901. Both are available freely, but they serve very different readers: Matthew’s Bible suits people interested in the roots of English Bible translation, while the WEB suits readers who want a clear, current English text they can copy, print and share without licensing limits.
Background
Matthew’s Bible was not a brand-new work from scratch. It combined Tyndale’s New Testament, his translated portions of the Old Testament, and the work of Miles Coverdale, who completed the remaining books. Rogers published it abroad with royal and archbishop-friendly notes and prefaces added, and it became one of the first complete English Bibles to be printed with official permission in England. Its importance lies in being a bridge between Tyndale’s bold early work and the Bibles that followed under Henry VIII and Elizabeth I.
The World English Bible was prepared by a team that wanted an English text free of copyright, based on the 1901 American Standard Version. Its editors updated archaic words, modernized the language of the Old Testament psalms and prophets, and aimed to keep the wording close to the earlier version. Its revisions continue in public view, which is part of its appeal for readers who want to see exactly what has changed.
Translation Method
Matthew’s Bible follows the general approach of its sixteenth-century sources, staying fairly close to the wording of the Hebrew and Greek while using the English of its day. That means sentence structures and phrasing can feel formal and sometimes unfamiliar, though the underlying text is recognizably the same as the Bibles that later readers knew. The method reflects a period when translators were still shaping what an English Bible should sound like.
The WEB leans toward a formal, word-for-word style, staying close to the structure of the original languages while using contemporary English vocabulary and grammar. This tends to make the text more precise for study, since you can see how individual Hebrew or Greek words are rendered, though it can read less smoothly than a looser, thought-for-thought translation. Each choice trades some ease of reading for closer correspondence to the source.
Reading Level and Style
Reading Matthew’s Bible takes patience. The spelling, punctuation and idiom belong to Tudor English, so a reader may need to slow down and sound out phrases that now feel odd. Many people find the rhythm beautiful once they settle into it, and some enjoy the sense of hearing the English Bible in its earliest settled form.
The WEB reads in plain modern English and is generally accessible to a reader comfortable with everyday prose. Its sentences are direct and its vocabulary avoids most archaisms, which makes it practical for personal reading, group study and teaching. Readers who want something lyrical may find it more functional than ornate, but it rewards close reading with steady clarity.
A Verse to Compare
John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
(WEB)
This opening line of John’s Gospel is a good place to see how the two traditions differ. Matthew’s Bible renders the Greek in the familiar phrasing of Tudor English, with its older spellings and grammar still visible. The WEB presents the same sentence in current English, keeping the structure close to the Greek while removing the archaic forms. A reader comparing the two will notice the same theological claim carried across four and a half centuries of English, with the modern text easier to read and the older one easier to connect with its own era.
Who Should Use It
Matthew’s Bible is best suited to readers interested in church history, the development of the English language, or the Reformation-era Bibles that shaped the King James Version. It is a valuable companion for study and reflection on how earlier Christians received Scripture. Its limits are real, though: the archaic language can be a barrier for daily devotional reading, and its historical notes reflect a sixteenth-century context that you should read with that in mind.
The WEB is a strong choice for daily reading, group study and anyone who wants a clear, freely reusable English text. Its formal style gives careful readers a reliable base for comparing words and phrases, though it may not carry the poetic weight some people look for. Many readers use it alongside another translation, letting each one clarify the other.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Matthew’s Bible the same as the King James Version?
No, but the two are closely related. The King James Version of 1611 drew heavily on earlier English translations, including Tyndale’s work and the Bibles that followed, so Matthew’s Bible is one of its ancestors. Reading one helps you see the lineage of the other.
Is the World English Bible free to use?
Yes, the WEB is in the public domain, so you can copy, print and distribute it without asking permission. That is one of the main reasons many churches and Bible apps use it. Always check the specific edition you are using, since formats can vary.
Which should a beginner read first?
For most beginners the WEB is the easier starting point, since its modern English is direct and clear. Matthew’s Bible rewards a reader who is already curious about history or language and willing to work through older spelling. Starting with the WEB and returning to Matthew’s Bible later can deepen your appreciation of both.
