NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Jesus’ First Disciples The next day John was there again with two of his disciples.
15 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
John 1:35 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;
12 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples,
12 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
The following day John was again standing with two of his disciples.
12 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
The next day John was back at his post with two disciples, who were watching.
15 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples,
12 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
15 words
KJV
12 words
ESV
12 words
NLT
12 words
MSG
15 words
NASB
12 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for John 1:35?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers John 1:35 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 1:35 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.