NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”
22 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
John 1:31 — 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 I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
21 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.”
22 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.”
23 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
I knew nothing about who he was—only this: that my task has been to get Israel ready to recognize him as the God-Revealer. That is why I came here baptizing with water, giving you a good bath and scrubbing sins from your life so you can get a fresh start with God."
52 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
'I did not recognize Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water.'
19 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
22 words
KJV
21 words
ESV
22 words
NLT
23 words
MSG
52 words
NASB
19 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for John 1:31?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers John 1:31 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 1:31 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.