This Week in Christian History: James Ossuary, Martin Luther's Bible

Martin Luther Releases German Language New Testament — Sept. 21, 1522

This week marks the anniversary of when Protestant Reformation founder Martin Luther released a German translation of the New Testament.

For centuries in Europe, the Holy Bible was primarily printed in Latin rather than the common languages of the various ethnic groups.

Drawing from an original Greek translation of the New Testament, Luther worked on the project while under the protective custody of Frederick the Wise of Saxony.

"He completed a translation of the New Testament from the original Greek in a mere four months between November of 1521 and March of 1522," noted the site Christian History for Everyman.

"After his release, he extensively revised it with the help of the learned Philip Melancthon, his friend and co-worker throughout the time of the Reformation."

Luther would later release a revised version of his translation that same year and in 1534 he published an edition that include both Testaments as well as the Apocrypha books.