NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
16 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
John 15:13 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
17 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
16 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
14 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends.
17 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
'Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.
16 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
16 words
KJV
17 words
ESV
16 words
NLT
14 words
MSG
17 words
NASB
16 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for John 15:13?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers John 15:13 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 15:13 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.
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