Mystery Play
/ˈmɪs.tər.i pleɪ/noun
A medieval or early modern religious drama portraying stories from the Bible, often performed publicly by craft guilds.
Did you know?Despite its secretive modern sound, “mystery play” is traditionally linked to Latin ministerium, meaning “service” or “function,” because guilds performed these religious dramas as civic service.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*mei-
“Small or lesser; the reconstructed root associated with Latin minus and minister.”
Classical Latin
Latin
minus
“Less or smaller.”
Classical Latin
Latin
ministerium
“Service, office, function, or duty.”
Medieval Latin
Latin
misterium
“A religious service or ecclesiastical function; the source of the theatrical sense.”
12th–13th Century
Old French
mistere / mistère
“A religious ceremony or dramatic representation of sacred events.”
14th Century
Middle English
mystery
“A religious drama, especially one presenting biblical episodes.”
Modern English
English
mystery play
“A traditional term for medieval biblical drama, commonly staged by guilds or religious communities.”