NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”
22 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
John 3:3 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. <sup>again: or, from above</sup>
29 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
21 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
19 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Jesus said, "You're absolutely right. Take it from me: Unless a person is born from above, it's not possible to see what I'm pointing to—to God's kingdom."
27 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Jesus answered and said to him, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.'
24 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
22 words
KJV
29 words
ESV
21 words
NLT
19 words
MSG
27 words
NASB
24 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for John 3:3?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers John 3:3 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 3:3 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.