John Rogers (1505 - 1555), probably using the name Thomas Matthew to protect himself and definitely using it to disguise the work of his late friend, William Tyndale, compiled the book that became known as the Matthew Bible. It used, not only Tyndale's Penteteuch and New Testament, but also, according to a contemporary account and other authorities, his translation of the nine books from Joshua to 2 Chronicles. Rogers used the work of Myles Coverdale for the books from Ezra to Malachi. Rogers also prepared and assembled the prologues and marginal notes (of Tyndale and others) thus making this the first original English language Bible commentary.

A copy of the first edition of 1537 was presented to Henry VIII by Thomas Cromwell at the behest of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer. Like the 1537 edition of Coverdale's Bible, the title page was then able to boast that it was set forth with the Kinges most gracyous lycense.

After King Henry's daughter, Mary, came to the throne in 1553, she began a campaign against those who had sided against the Catholic Church. John Rogers was the first of more than 200 executions, being burned to death on 4th February 1555 at Smithfield, which at the time was a grassy space commonly used for the goriest punishments, just outside London's city walls. Thomas Cranmer who had encouraged the Matthew Bible, was executed the following year.

Here are two spreads from a facsimile of from the Raynalde and Hyll 1549 edition considered to be nearly identical to the first edition. The facsimilie was published in 2009.

These pages show Exodus chapters 5 to 7 and includes the name Jehovah at 6:3.

These pages show Matthew chapters 26 and 27.

Here are three original pages from the Raynalde and Hyll 1549 edition.

This page shows 2 Samuel chapters 6 and 7 and a number of annotations.

This page shows 2 Samuel chapter 19 and a number of annotations.

This page shows Psalms 56 to 58 and a number of annotations.

Here is an original page from the 1551 edition.

This page shows Matthew 26:36-71 and a number of annotations.