NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
14 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
John 1:17 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
15 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
14 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.
17 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
We got the basics from Moses, and then this exuberant giving and receiving, This endless knowing and understanding— all this came through Jesus, the Messiah.
25 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.
15 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
14 words
KJV
15 words
ESV
14 words
NLT
17 words
MSG
25 words
NASB
15 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for John 1:17?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers John 1:17 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 1:17 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.