NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
The Temptation of Jesus Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.
20 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Matthew 4:1 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
17 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
17 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil.
17 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
Next Jesus was taken into the wild by the Spirit for the Test. The Devil was ready to give it.
20 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
17 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
20 words
KJV
17 words
ESV
17 words
NLT
17 words
MSG
20 words
NASB
17 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Matthew 4:1?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Matthew 4:1 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 4:1 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.