NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
At once they left their nets and followed him.
9 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Matthew 4:20 — 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 they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
9 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Immediately they left their nets and followed him.
8 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
And they left their nets at once and followed him.
10 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
They didn't ask questions, but simply dropped their nets and followed.
11 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.
8 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
9 words
KJV
9 words
ESV
8 words
NLT
10 words
MSG
11 words
NASB
8 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Matthew 4:20?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Matthew 4:20 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 4:20 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.