NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the Scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.
26 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
John 2:22 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.
30 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.
28 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered he had said this, and they believed both the Scriptures and what Jesus had said.
25 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Later, after he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered he had said this. They then put two and two together and believed both what was written in Scripture and what Jesus had said.
35 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken.
27 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
26 words
KJV
30 words
ESV
28 words
NLT
25 words
MSG
35 words
NASB
27 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for John 2:22?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers John 2:22 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 2:22 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.