The Medieval Bible — Vernacular Translations

The Czech Bible Tradition

Fourteenth-fifteenth centuries
A Visit With Jesus

Czech Christians produced complete vernacular Bibles before the Hussite movement and expanded their use during the fifteenth century.

Full Account

Czech biblical translation grew from liturgical and partial texts into complete manuscript Bibles based primarily on the Latin Vulgate. Reform preaching associated with Jan Hus intensified interest in Scripture and vernacular instruction.

The tradition continued in printed editions and later influenced the important Bible of Kralice. Medieval Czech translation therefore belongs to a longer history rather than a sudden Reformation beginning.

Historical Significance

The Czech Bible was among the earliest complete vernacular Bibles of medieval Europe and became important to reform and national literature.

People, Places and Sources