NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
14 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
John 2:13 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,
13 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
14 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration, so Jesus went to Jerusalem.
14 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
When the Passover Feast, celebrated each spring by the Jews, was about to take place, Jesus traveled up to Jerusalem.
20 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
13 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
14 words
KJV
13 words
ESV
14 words
NLT
14 words
MSG
20 words
NASB
13 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for John 2:13?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers John 2:13 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 2:13 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.