Did you know that the Geneva Bible, also known as “the Pilgrim Bible,” is one of the most historically significant English translations? Originally printed in 1560 during the reign of Queen Mary I, who persecuted Protestants and Puritans, the Geneva Bible was translated from early Greek and Hebrew texts by English Puritan refugees in Geneva, Switzerland.
The translators aimed to create a Bible with thorough annotations and commentaries to help lay readers better understand the biblical text. The extensive Calvinist study notes provided a wealth of historical context, linguistic explanations, theological reflections, and practical applications of the scriptures. The 1560 Geneva Bible also included the Apocrypha, albeit with a note stating that it was not canonical.
The Geneva Bible is a significant yet often overlooked translation in the history of the English Bible. It was notable for its clear, readable English, and it was the first Bible to use chapters, numbered verses, cross-references, and extensive margin notes to help people understand the verses, making it the first study Bible.
The Geneva Bible was the most popular English Protestant Bible in the late 1500s and early 1600s. It was used by William Shakespeare, John Bunyan, John Milton, and many others. It was the Bible of the Protestant Reformation. However, King James I and the official Church of England disagreed with the Geneva Bible’s commentary, because the Geneva’s strong Calvinist notes criticized both the monarchy and Roman Catholicism.
“[T]he Geneva Bible was hated by both the nobility and the Church. The problem was those pesky marginal notes and cross-references! They were critical of the growing problem of slavery; an issue for English ship captains who were beginning to make money transporting slaves from Africa to the Spanish and Portuguese colonies in South America. The notes criticized the clergy, supporting the idea of lay elders rather than only a professional class. They were also critical of the Pope, and worst of all, they were against the divine right of the king to rule.” —ChristianHistoryInstitute.org
Because of its controversial commentary, the Geneva Bible was seen as subversive and potentially dangerous. King James commissioned a new, Authorized Version of the Bible (the King James Version, or KJV), which was completed in 1611. The king banned the publishing of the Geneva Bible, and persecuted anyone caught reading it. But the religious separatists still remained loyal to the Geneva Bible.
The Pilgrims gave of their lives, liberty, and fortunes in the desire to worship freely and read their Bible. To escape persecution, they set sail for America on the Mayflower in 1620, and brought the Geneva Bible with them to Plymouth Colony. The Pilgrims’ faith comforted, encouraged, and strengthened them to persevere through adversity. In the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims held three days of Thanksgiving to God for His provision and blessings. They surely would have read thanksgiving scriptures from the Geneva Bible.
The Geneva Bible continued to be used by many English-speaking Protestants for several decades. Its influence on the early religious life of the American colonies cannot be overstated, as it helped to shape early colonial life and culture, as well as the spiritual and moral framework of the emerging nation, more than any other. “The Geneva Bible also played a role in the development of American education, as it was often used as a textbook in schools and as a tool for teaching literacy… helping to spread literacy and biblical knowledge among the settlers.”
Over time, the Geneva Bible’s influence waned as it was gradually displaced by the King James Version. By the 18th century, the Geneva Bible was no longer widely used in American households. Its scholarly notes and reforms, however, continued to shape later translations and directly impacted the study Bibles of today.
The classic Geneva Bible (GNV) is celebrated for its accuracy, scholarship, and devotional commentary, making it an important translation. Its use of chapter and verse divisions have become a standard feature in modern Bibles, demonstrating the lasting influence of the Geneva Bible on the formatting and structure of English Scripture.
In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in the Geneva Bible, particularly among those who seek to understand the history of the Bible and the spirit of the Reformation. Modern readers can find facsimile reprints, annotated editions, and online versions. It is available as one of the many Bible translations on platforms like BibleGateway.com.
Click here for the Geneva Bible 1560 Edition with Apocrypha Large Print.
Click here for the Geneva Bible 1560 Facsimile Edition with Margin Notes.
The 1560 Geneva Bible is now available on Kindle!
You can also read it online here.
