Erasmus — Greek-Latin New Testament (1539)
Erasmus's Greek-Latin New Testament, first published in 1516, was the first printed critical Greek New Testament and the foundation of the Textus Receptus. This 1539 edition represents one of the later revised printings. It directly influenced Luther's German New Testament, Tyndale's English translation, and ultimately the King James Version.
History & Background
These ancient manuscripts and early printed editions represent the foundational textual tradition of the Bible. From the great Greek codices — Sinaiticus, Vaticanus, Alexandrinus — to the Hebrew Masoretic text, the Latin Vulgate, and the Septuagint, these documents form the bedrock upon which all modern Bible translations rest. They are the raw materials of biblical scholarship, preserved across centuries through the dedication of scribes, monks, and scholars who understood their eternal value.
Canon Proximity Rating
These ancient manuscripts represent the earliest surviving witnesses to the biblical text and are the primary sources for all modern critical editions of the Old and New Testaments.