NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
21 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Matthew 1:25 — 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 knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
18 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
18 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.
19 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
But he did not consummate the marriage until she had the baby. He named the baby Jesus.
17 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.
18 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
21 words
KJV
18 words
ESV
18 words
NLT
19 words
MSG
17 words
NASB
18 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Matthew 1:25?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Matthew 1:25 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 Matthew 1:25 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.