NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.
20 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
John 1:32 — 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 John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
20 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him.
19 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Then John testified, “I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him.
18 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
John clinched his witness with this: "I watched the Spirit, like a dove flying down out of the sky, making himself at home in him.
25 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
John testified saying, 'I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him.
20 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
20 words
KJV
20 words
ESV
19 words
NLT
18 words
MSG
25 words
NASB
20 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for John 1:32?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers John 1:32 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 1:32 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.