NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.
19 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
John 1:10 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
18 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.
19 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him.
14 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
He was in the world, the world was there through him, and yet the world didn't even notice.
18 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.
19 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
19 words
KJV
18 words
ESV
19 words
NLT
14 words
MSG
18 words
NASB
19 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for John 1:10?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers John 1:10 in 6 translations: New International Version, King James Version, English Standard Version, New Living Translation, The Message, New American Standard Bible. Each uses a different translation philosophy — from word-for-word (KJV, ESV, NASB) to thought-for-thought (NIV, NLT) to paraphrase (MSG).
Which translation of John 1:10 is best?
No single translation is "best" — it depends on your purpose. For deep study, use the ESV or NASB (word-for-word). For devotional reading, the NIV balances accuracy and readability. The NLT and MSG are excellent for understanding the general meaning in modern English. Comparing multiple translations helps grasp the full richness of the text.
What is the difference between literal and dynamic Bible translations?
Literal (formal equivalence) translations like KJV, ESV, and NASB translate word-for-word from the original Hebrew/Greek. Dynamic equivalence translations like NIV and NLT translate thought-for-thought for clarity. The MSG is a paraphrase that captures the spirit in contemporary language. Each approach has strengths — that's why comparing translations is valuable.