NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
19 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Matthew 3:17 — 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 lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
18 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
18 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”
17 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
And along with the Spirit, a voice: "This is my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life."
21 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.'
19 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
19 words
KJV
18 words
ESV
18 words
NLT
17 words
MSG
21 words
NASB
19 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Matthew 3:17?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Matthew 3:17 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 3:17 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.