NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
14 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Matthew 2:5 — 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 they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
17 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
15 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:
13 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
They told him, "Bethlehem, Judah territory. The prophet Micah wrote it plainly:
12 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
They said to him, 'In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:
18 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
14 words
KJV
17 words
ESV
15 words
NLT
13 words
MSG
12 words
NASB
18 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Matthew 2:5?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Matthew 2:5 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 2:5 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.