NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
The Beatitudes Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him,
22 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Matthew 5:1 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
20 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.
19 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him,
22 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down
31 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him.
21 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
22 words
KJV
20 words
ESV
19 words
NLT
22 words
MSG
31 words
NASB
21 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Matthew 5:1?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Matthew 5:1 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 5:1 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.