NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:
9 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Matthew 4:14 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
13 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
12 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
This fulfilled what God said through the prophet Isaiah:
9 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
This move completed Isaiah's sermon:
5 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
[This was] to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet:
11 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
9 words
KJV
13 words
ESV
12 words
NLT
9 words
MSG
5 words
NASB
11 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Matthew 4:14?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Matthew 4:14 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 4:14 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.