NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
12 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Matthew 3:6 — 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 were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
10 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
13 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.
13 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
There at the Jordan River those who came to confess their sins were baptized into a changed life.
18 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins.
16 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
12 words
KJV
10 words
ESV
13 words
NLT
13 words
MSG
18 words
NASB
16 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Matthew 3:6?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Matthew 3:6 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 3:6 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.