NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
12 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Matthew 4:22 — 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 immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
12 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
11 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind.
11 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
and they were just as quick to follow, abandoning boat and father.
12 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.
11 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
12 words
KJV
12 words
ESV
11 words
NLT
11 words
MSG
12 words
NASB
11 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Matthew 4:22?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Matthew 4:22 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 4:22 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.