NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Christ.”
14 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
John 1:20 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.
13 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.”
13 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
He came right out and said, “I am not the Messiah.”
11 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
He didn't evade the question. He told the plain truth: "I am not the Messiah."
15 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
And he confessed and did not deny, but confessed, 'I am not the Christ.'
14 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
14 words
KJV
13 words
ESV
13 words
NLT
11 words
MSG
15 words
NASB
14 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for John 1:20?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers John 1:20 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 1:20 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.