NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”
14 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
John 2:17 — 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 his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.
17 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”
14 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Then his disciples remembered this prophecy from the Scriptures: “Passion for God’s house will consume me.”
16 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
That's when his disciples remembered the Scripture, "Zeal for your house consumes me."
13 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
His disciples remembered that it was written, 'ZEAL FOR YOUR HOUSE WILL CONSUME ME.'
14 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
14 words
KJV
17 words
ESV
14 words
NLT
16 words
MSG
13 words
NASB
14 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for John 2:17?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers John 2:17 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 2:17 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.