The Conservative Approach of KJV Translation

Home / KQ2 / The Conservative Approach of KJV Translation
Part 11 –
The Conservative Approach of KJV Translation
This episode spells out the conservative approach of the translators of the King James Bible and demonstrates that the KJV relied heavily on previous translations. One word study found that 83.7% of the KJV was identical to William Tyndale’s New Testament. Translators were instructed to methodically go through the Bishop’s Bible and make any modifications based on the Hebrew or Greek texts. The translators relied on relatively late copies of both testaments, drawing from the Masoretic Text for the Hebrew (11th century). With respect to the New Testament, translators mostly relied on Erasmus’ compilation of Greek texts (3rd to 5th editions), as well as collections of Stephanus and Theodore Beza. Together these copies make up the Textus Receptus, or Majority Text. The Majority Text depends on relatively late manuscripts (12th century) but is nevertheless very reliable when compared to modern translations, which depend on manuscripts as old as the second and third centuries.
  • 00:00:12 – Introduction to Kingdom Questions
  • 00:00:37 – The Question of Bible Translations
  • 00:01:07 – The King James Version’s Background
  • 00:03:11 – The Political Context of Bible Translations
  • 00:04:15 – King James Ascends the Throne
  • 00:05:45 – The Millenary Petition
  • 00:07:11 – King James’ Reaction
  • 00:10:51 – The Interconnection of Church and State
  • 00:11:43 – The Birth of the King James Version
  • 00:12:32 – Closing Prayer and Reflection
Part 11 –
The Conservative Approach of KJV Translation
  • 00:00:12 – Introduction to Kingdom Questions
  • 00:00:37 – The Question of Bible Translations
  • 00:01:07 – The King James Version’s Background
  • 00:03:11 – The Political Context of Bible Translations
  • 00:04:15 – King James Ascends the Throne
  • 00:05:45 – The Millenary Petition
  • 00:07:11 – King James’ Reaction
  • 00:10:51 – The Interconnection of Church and State
  • 00:11:43 – The Birth of the King James Version
  • 00:12:32 – Closing Prayer and Reflection
This episode spells out the conservative approach of the translators of the King James Bible and demonstrates that the KJV relied heavily on previous translations. One word study found that 83.7% of the KJV was identical to William Tyndale’s New Testament. Translators were instructed to methodically go through the Bishop’s Bible and make any modifications based on the Hebrew or Greek texts. The translators relied on relatively late copies of both testaments, drawing from the Masoretic Text for the Hebrew (11th century). With respect to the New Testament, translators mostly relied on Erasmus’ compilation of Greek texts (3rd to 5th editions), as well as collections of Stephanus and Theodore Beza. Together these copies make up the Textus Receptus, or Majority Text. The Majority Text depends on relatively late manuscripts (12th century) but is nevertheless very reliable when compared to modern translations, which depend on manuscripts as old as the second and third centuries.

Episode Scripture References -

Hebrews 13:7

More About This Episode -

Victor addresses the question of how to determine the correct version of the Bible amidst the many translations available. He provides context about the history of English translations, emphasizing that the KJV is not an isolated creation but built upon previous translations from the Greek and Hebrew. He mentions that prior to the KJV’s publication in 1611, there were several translations in the 16th century, notably the Geneva Bible and the Bishop’s Bible.


He explains the political backdrop behind the need for a new translation, highlighting that the Bishop’s Bible was an official response from the monarchy to the Geneva Bible, which contained notes unfavorable to royal authority. Victor notes that the Bishop’s Bible was not well received and lacked popularity among the people, specifically Puritans who preferred the Geneva Bible.


As he narrates the historical events leading up to the KJV, Victor details the significance of Queen Elizabeth’s death in 1603 and the Protestant sentiment in England, particularly among Puritans. He discusses King James’s reception by Puritan ministers who presented grievances regarding church governance, leading to a conference at Hampton Court. During this meeting, John Reynolds, representing the Puritan perspective, suggested the governance of bishops alongside lay presbyters, which provoked a strong reaction from King James. The king asserted that a Presbyterian model of church governance was incompatible with monarchy, famously stating, “no bishop, no king,” indicating his unwillingness to share authority.


Victor explains that this confrontation led to an unexpected outcome: the proposal to create a new translation of the Bible. King James recognized the inadequacies of the Bishop’s Bible and agreed to produce a new version that could unify English Christians and replace the contentious notes of the Geneva Bible.

Key Terms From This Episode -

Main Theme: Determining the correct Bible translation from many available options

    Key Points:

  • KJV built upon earlier English translations (Greek and Hebrew)
  • Bishop’s Bible as an official response to the Geneva Bible, which had unfavorable notes about royal authority
  • Reference to Queen Elizabeth’s death in 1603 and the Protestant sentiment in England
  • Hampton Court Conference and John Reynolds’ suggestion for governance by bishops and lay presbyters
  • Outcome: Proposal to create a new Bible translation to unify English Christians and replace contentious Geneva notes
  • Episode Scripture References -

    Hebrews 13:7

    More About This Episode -

    Victor addresses the question of how to determine the correct version of the Bible amidst the many translations available. He provides context about the history of English translations, emphasizing that the KJV is not an isolated creation but built upon previous translations from the Greek and Hebrew. He mentions that prior to the KJV’s publication in 1611, there were several translations in the 16th century, notably the Geneva Bible and the Bishop’s Bible.


    He explains the political backdrop behind the need for a new translation, highlighting that the Bishop’s Bible was an official response from the monarchy to the Geneva Bible, which contained notes unfavorable to royal authority. Victor notes that the Bishop’s Bible was not well received and lacked popularity among the people, specifically Puritans who preferred the Geneva Bible.


    As he narrates the historical events leading up to the KJV, Victor details the significance of Queen Elizabeth’s death in 1603 and the Protestant sentiment in England, particularly among Puritans. He discusses King James’s reception by Puritan ministers who presented grievances regarding church governance, leading to a conference at Hampton Court. During this meeting, John Reynolds, representing the Puritan perspective, suggested the governance of bishops alongside lay presbyters, which provoked a strong reaction from King James. The king asserted that a Presbyterian model of church governance was incompatible with monarchy, famously stating, “no bishop, no king,” indicating his unwillingness to share authority.


    Victor explains that this confrontation led to an unexpected outcome: the proposal to create a new translation of the Bible. King James recognized the inadequacies of the Bishop’s Bible and agreed to produce a new version that could unify English Christians and replace the contentious notes of the Geneva Bible.

    Key Terms From This Episode -

    Main Theme: Determining the correct Bible translation from many available options

      Key Points:

  • KJV built upon earlier English translations (Greek and Hebrew)
  • Bishop’s Bible as an official response to the Geneva Bible, which had unfavorable notes about royal authority
  • Reference to Queen Elizabeth’s death in 1603 and the Protestant sentiment in England
  • Hampton Court Conference and John Reynolds’ suggestion for governance by bishops and lay presbyters
  • Outcome: Proposal to create a new Bible translation to unify English Christians and replace contentious Geneva notes
  • MORE KINGDOM QUESTION SERIES