NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false.”
20 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
John 1:47 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
19 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!”
20 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
As they approached, Jesus said, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel — a man of complete integrity.”
19 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
When Jesus saw him coming he said, "There's a real Israelite, not a false bone in his body."
18 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, 'Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!'
20 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
20 words
KJV
19 words
ESV
20 words
NLT
19 words
MSG
18 words
NASB
20 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for John 1:47?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers John 1:47 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 1:47 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.