📖 Biblical Definition
Jan Hus (1369-1415) was the Bohemian priest, theologian, and rector of Prague University whose preaching anticipated the Reformation by a century. He attacked clerical corruption, the sale of indulgences, and the papacy's abuses; was condemned by the Council of Constance under safe conduct; was burned at the stake on July 6, 1415. His last words foretold the coming of a Reformer who could not be silenced — Luther considered himself the answer.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Bohemian priest and pre-Reformation reformer (1369-1415); burned at the stake at Constance.
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Influenced by John Wycliffe's writings (which entered Bohemia through Anne of Bohemia, queen of Richard II of England). Preached in Czech in Bethlehem Chapel, Prague; wrote De Ecclesia (On the Church), arguing the church's true head is Christ, not the pope.
Council of Constance (1414-15) summoned him under imperial safe conduct, reneged, condemned him, and burned him. His name in Czech means goose (hus); his prophecy ‘they cook the goose now, but God will raise a swan in 100 years’ was interpreted of Luther a century later (1517 = 102 years).
📖 Key Scripture
Matthew 16:18 — "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
Acts 4:19 — "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye."
Revelation 2:10 — "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."
John 15:13 — "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Protestants often jump from Wycliffe directly to Luther; Hus is the indispensable middle figure whose martyrdom signaled what was coming.
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Hus's death by fire was watched in horror across Europe. The Council's breaking of safe conduct — sacred even in pagan diplomacy — sent shockwaves. The Hussite Wars followed (1419-1436); Bohemia held off papal armies for two decades.
Luther studied Hus; cited him; was accused of being ‘the Hussite’; eventually said: we are all Hussites without knowing it. The arc from Constance to Wittenberg runs through one century and one martyr's ashes.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Czech name meaning goose; symbolic in his prophetic last words.
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Czech hus — goose; the bird later contrasted with the swan of Luther.
Note: Hus's memorial day in the Czech Republic is July 6, a national holiday.
Usage
"They cook the goose now, but God will raise a swan in 100 years."
"We are all Hussites without knowing it."
"The arc from Constance to Wittenberg runs through one martyr's ashes."