NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
“Dear woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.”
15 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
John 2:4 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
18 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.”
20 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
“Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.”
14 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Jesus said, "Is that any of our business, Mother—yours or mine? This isn't my time. Don't push me."
18 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
And Jesus said to her, 'Woman, what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come.'
20 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
15 words
KJV
18 words
ESV
20 words
NLT
14 words
MSG
18 words
NASB
20 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for John 2:4?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers John 2:4 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 2:4 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.