[2] A great patron and lover of the arts and sciences, Martin Luther called him "the greatest bishop of the century".

[citation needed] Jan was the son of János Thurzó a protestant, Zips Saxon Hungarian nobleman of the Thurzó family and mayor of Kraków, and his first wife, Ursula Bem.

Jan gained a Bachelor of Arts in 1484 and a master's degree in 1487, and then studied canon law in Italy.

As bishop, Jan Thurzo was patron of artists, including Albrecht Dürer and Lucas Cranach, and poets.

He corresponded with Martin Luther on matters of theology and was involved in the founding of University of Wittenberg.