The King James Version Bible (KJV) is 400 years old, so its time to take a closer look at how it measures up to modern translations. There are several reasons to prefer the older version. However, there are also compelling reasons to prefer the newer translations. While this comparison leans more toward the KJV, its is not our intent to say that it is the sole version one should use. Since any English translation is just that, a translation (from the original Greek and Hebrew), at least 2 or more translations should be always be used.
One should note that the bible is the most reliable historic text compared to other documents such as those from Aristotle or Homer. However, it is not the purpose of this review to cover the reasons that this is true. It is. The purpose of this review is to illustrate some of the actual differences without going too far into the “KJV only” debate. The King James Version is not inspired in the way the original Greek and Hebrew were inspired. It has it limitations and its errors in the translation. Those who maintain that it is inerrant are misguided. God’s Word is inerrant, but no translation is.
The reason the KJV version is different than most modern translations such as the New International Version (NIV) and the New American Standard Version is that the KJV is based on a vast amount of historic texts that are relatively newer than the more limited number of older documents upon which the the modern versions are based. This is because the modern translation documents were not discovered until the 1800’s.
Remember that since this is the Word of God, care should be taken in its translation. The reader should examine closely how the text changes between the KJV and the modern translations especially when considering the names of the deity.
Missing text is illustrated in BOLD italics. The NIV is shown since that is the most widely of the modern translations. However, there are similar issues with others such as the New American Standard Version and the English Standard Version.
Note: Much of this document was obtained long ago from a now defunct website.
KJV Compared to the NIV with respect to the Names of Deity (See section below)
KJV Compared to the NIV (general references)
Matthew 1:25
- And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son... (KJV)
- But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. (NIV)
Matthew 5:44
- But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you: (KJV)
- But I tell you; Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. (NIV)
Matthew 6:13
- And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, forever. Amen. (KJV)
- And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. (NIV)
Matthew 9:13
- ...for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (KJV)
- ...For I have not come to call the righteous but sinners. (NIV)
Matthew 15:8
- This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. (KJV)
- These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. (NIV)
Matthew 16:3
- O Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky, but can ye not discern the signs of the times? (KJV)
- You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. (NIV)
Matthew 17:21
- Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. (KJV)
- [missing in NIV]
Matthew 19:9
- And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. (KJV)
- I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness and marries another woman commits adultery. (NIV)
Matthew 20:16
- So the last shall be first and the first last: for many be called but few chosen. (KJV)
- So the last will be first, and the first will be last. (NIV)
Matthew 20:22
- But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?... (KJV)
- Ye don't know what you are asking, Jesus said to them. Can you drink the cup I am going to drink? (NIV)
Matthew 23:14
- Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. (KJV)
- [missing in NIV]
Matthew 27:35
And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments amongst them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. (KJV)
When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. (NIV)
Matthew 28:2
- ...for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. (KJV)
- ...for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. (NIV)
Matthew 28:9
- And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them saying, All... (KJV)
- Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said .... (NIV)
For the sake of space, we continue now by showing only the missing phrases.
Mark--
- 1:14 Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God.
- 1:31 ... and immediately the fever left her...
- 2:17 ... I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
- 6:11 ... shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.
- 7:8 Ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
- 7:16 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
- 9:44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
- 9:46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
- 9:49 For every one shall be salted with fire and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.
- 10:21 ... come, take up the cross. and follow me.
- 10:24 ... Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God.
- 11:26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
- 13:14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet...
- 13:33 Take ye heed, watch and pray:
- 14:68 And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.
- 15:28 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.
Luke--
- 1:28 ... the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
- 2:43 Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
- 4:8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan:
- 9:54 Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
- 9:55 But he turned and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of
- 11:2-4 When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven. Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done. as in heaven. so in earth... but deliver us from evil
- 11:29 ... they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it but the sign of Jonas the prophet
- 17:36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left
- 22:31 And the Lord said. Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you
- 22:64 And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face...
- 23:17 For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast
- 23:38 And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek. and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
John--
- 1:27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me...
- 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven
- 5:3-4 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water, For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had
- 6:47 He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
- 11:41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid...
- 17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name...
Acts--
- 10:6 ... he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do
- 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God,
- 24:6-8 Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law. But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands, Commanding his accusers to come unto thee:
- 24:15 ... there shall be a resurrection of the dead both of the just and unjust.
- 28:16 And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard:
- 28:29 And when he had said these words. the Jews departed and had great reasoning among themselves
Romans--
- 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness...
- 9:28 For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth
- 10:15 How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace...
- 13:9 ... Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness...
- 14:6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day. to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord. for he giveth God thanks:
- 14:21 ... whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended. or is made weak
- 15:29 I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
1 Corinthians--
- 5:7 For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.
- 7:5 ... that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer;
- 7:39 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth;
- 11:24 Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you:
Galatians--
- 3:1 ... who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth...
Ephesians--
- 5:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
- 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord...
Philipplans--
- 3:16 Let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
Colossians--
- 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood...
- 3:6 ... the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience.
2 Thessalonians--
- 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God.
- 1 Timothy--
- 1:17 ... immortal, invisible, the only wise God.
- 4:12 ... in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
- 6:5 ... destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
2 Timothy--
- 1:11 I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
Philemon--
- 1:12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him...
Hebrews--
- 1:3 ... when he had by himself purged our sins,
- 2:7 ... thou crownedst him with glory and honour and didst set him over the works of thy hands.
- 7:21 Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
- 10:34 ... knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
1 Peter--
- 4:1 Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh.
- 4:14 ... on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
- 5:11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
2 Peter--
- 2:17 ... to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
1 John--
- 2:7 The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.
Jude--
- 25 To the only wise God our Saviour...
Revelation--
- 2:13 I Know thy works, and where thou dwellest...
- 6:1 ... one of the four beasts saying Come and see, Also in verses 3, 5 and 7.
- 11:17 Saying, We give thee thanks O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come...
- 12:12 Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea...
- 16:17 there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven...
- 21:24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.
None of the bold words are in the text of the New International Version (1978 edition). Occasional reference is made to omitted passages in its footnotes. Many of the passages which the NIV does include but are omitted by the other modern versions are given a footnote expressing doubt.
KJV Compared to the NIV with respect to Names of Deity
Matthew 6:33
- But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness...(KJV)
- But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness... (NIV)
Matthew 8:29
- And behold, they cried out saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? (KJV)
- What do you want with us, Son of God? they shouted... (NIV)
Matthew 13:36
- Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him... (KJV)
- Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him (NIV)
Matthew 13:51
- Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord. (KJV)
- Have you understood all these things? Jesus asked. Yes, they replied. (NIV)
Matthew 15:30
- And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them: (KJV)
- Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the dumb and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. (NIV)
Matthew 16:20
- Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ. (KJV)
- Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ. (NIV)
Matthew 17:20
- And Jesus said unto them, because of your unbelief... (KJV)
- He replied, "Because you have so little faith... (NIV)
Matthew 18:2
- And Jesus called a little child unto him... (KJV)
- He called a little child (NIV)
Matthew 18:11
- For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. (KJV)
- [missing in the NIV]
Matthew 19:17
- And he said unto him, Why Callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is God: (KJV)
- "Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good..." (NIV)
Matthew 21:12
- And Jesus went into the temple of God and cast out all them that sold and bought... (KJV)
- Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there... (NIV)
Matthew 22:30
- For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. (KJV)
- At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. (NIV)
Matthew 22:32
- ...God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. (KJV)
- ...He is not the God of the dead but of the living. (NIV)
Matthew 23:8
- But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ... (KJV)
- "But you are not to be called 'Rabbi', for you have only one Master..." (NIV)
Matthew 24:2
- And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? Verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another... (KJV)
- "Do you see all these things?" he asked. "I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another..." (NIV)
Matthew 25:13
- Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. (KJV)
- Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. (NIV)
Matthew 28:6
- He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. (KJV)
- He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. (NIV)
The list continues by showing only the missing names:
Mark--
- 5:13 And forthwith Jesus gave them leave...
- 6:33 And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him.
- 7:27 But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled...
- 9:24 The father of the child cried out, and said with tears. Lord...
- 11:10 Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord...
- 11:14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee...
- 11:26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
- 12:27 He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living...
- 14:45 ... and saith, Master, master, and kissed him.
Luke--
- 2:40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit...
- 4:4 ... man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God...
- 4:41 Thou art Christ the Son of God.
- 7:22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way...
- 7:31 And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation?
- 9:56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them.
- 9:57 Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
- 12:31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God...
- 13:25 Lord, Lord open to us;
- 21:4 For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God...
- 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon...
- 23:42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me...
John--
- 4:16 JESUS saith unto her, Go, call thy husband...
- 4:42 ... and know that this is indeed the Christ. the Saviour of the world.
- 4:46 So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee...
- 5:30 ... because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
- 6:39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me...
- 6:69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
- 8:20 These words spake Jesus in the treasury.
- 8:29 ... the Father hath not left me alone...
- 9:35 Dost thou believe on the Son of God?
- 16:16 ... a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.
- 19:38 He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.
- Acts--
- 2:30 ... according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne.
- 3:26 Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus...
- 4:24 Lord, thou art God...
- 7:30 ... there appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sina an angel of the Lord...
- 7:32 I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.
- 7:37 A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren like unto me; him shall ye hear.
- 8:37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
- 9:5-6 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise...
- 9:29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus...
- 15:11 ... through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
- 15:18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
- 16:31 Believe on the Lord Jesus Christand thou shalt be saved...
- 19:4 ... that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
- 19:10 ... so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus.
- 20:21 ... repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
- 20:25 ... among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God.
- 22:16 ... wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
- 23:9 ... let us not fight against God.
Romans--
- 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ.
- 6:11 ... alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
- 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
- 14:6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord...
- 15:8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision...
- 15:19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God...
- 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ...
- 16:24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
1 Corinthians--
- 1:14 I thank God that I baptized none of you...
- 5:4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together...
- 5:5 ... that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
- 6:20 ... glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.
- 9:1 ... have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord?
- 9:18 Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge...
- 10:28 ... for the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof.
- 15:47 ... the second man is the Lord from heaven.
- 16:22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema...
- 16:23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
2 Corinthians--
- 4:6 ... the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
- 4:10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus...
- 5:18 ... hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ...
- 10:7 ... that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.
- 11:31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ...
Galatians--
- 3:17 ... the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ.
- 4:7 ... heir of God through Christ.
- 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing...
- 6:17 ... I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
Ephesians--
- 3:9 ... God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.
- 3:14 ... I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- 5:9 For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness...
- Philippians--
- 4:13 I can do all things through Christ...
Colossians--
- 1:2 ... peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- 1:28 ... that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.
- 2:2 ... to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ.
1 Thessalonians--
- 1:1 ... peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- 2:19 ... in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
- 3:11 Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ...
- 3:13 ... at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
2 Thessalonians--
- 1:8 ... that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- 1:12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified
- 2:4 ... so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God...
1 Timothy--
- 1:1 ... and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope...
- 2:7 ... speak the truth in Christ, and lie not...
- 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh...
- 5:21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ...
- 2 Timothy--
- 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ...
- 4:22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit...
Titus--
- 1:4 ... from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Philemon--
- 6 ... every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
Hebrews--
- 3:1 ... the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus.
- 10:9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God...
- 10:30 ... I will recompence, saith the Lord...
1 Peter--
- 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit...
- 5:10 ... who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus...
- 5:14 ... Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
1 John--
- 1:7 ... the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
- 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God...
- 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God...
- 5:7-8 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
- 5:13 ... and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
- 2 John--
- 3 ... and from the Lord Jesus Christ...
- 9 ... He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
Jude--
- 4 ... denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Revelation--
- 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending...
- 1:9 ... the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ... and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
- 1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last...
- 5:14 ... the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
- 12:17 .. and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
- 14:5 ... they are without fault before the throne of God.
- 16:5 ... Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be...
- 19:1 ... glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God.
- 20:9 ... and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
- 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God...
- 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes...
- 22:21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
