NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
16 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
John 1:28 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
12 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
13 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
This encounter took place in Bethany, an area east of the Jordan River, where John was baptizing.
17 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
These conversations took place in Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing at the time.
20 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
13 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
16 words
KJV
12 words
ESV
13 words
NLT
17 words
MSG
20 words
NASB
13 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for John 1:28?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers John 1:28 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 1:28 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.