NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.
13 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Matthew 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
When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
16 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;
14 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem.
14 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
When word of their inquiry got to Herod, he was terrified—and not Herod alone, but most of Jerusalem as well.
20 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
When Herod the king heard [this], he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
14 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
13 words
KJV
16 words
ESV
14 words
NLT
14 words
MSG
20 words
NASB
14 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Matthew 2:3?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Matthew 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 Matthew 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.