NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”
15 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
John 2:3 — 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 when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
16 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.”
16 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.”
18 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
When they started running low on wine at the wedding banquet, Jesus' mother told him, "They're just about out of wine."
21 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, 'They have no wine.'
16 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
15 words
KJV
16 words
ESV
16 words
NLT
18 words
MSG
21 words
NASB
16 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for John 2:3?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers John 2:3 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 2:3 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.