NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
11 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Matthew 4:11 — 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 the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
13 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.
14 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.
13 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
The Test was over. The Devil left. And in his place, angels! Angels came and took care of Jesus' needs.
20 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and [began] to minister to Him.
15 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
11 words
KJV
13 words
ESV
14 words
NLT
13 words
MSG
20 words
NASB
15 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Matthew 4:11?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Matthew 4:11 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 4:11 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.