Matthew 3 – Compare Chapter Translations
Verse-by-verse comparison of Matthew 3 across supported Bible translations.
Verse 1
KJV In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
ASV And in those days cometh John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, saying,
WEB In those days, John the Baptizer came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying,
YLT And in those days cometh John the Baptist, proclaiming in the wilderness of Judea,
DRB And in those days cometh John the Baptist preaching in the desert of Judea.
DBY Now in those days comes John the baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
GNV And in those dayes, Iohn the Baptist came and preached in the wildernes of Iudea,
LSB Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying,
Verse 2
KJV And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
ASV Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
WEB “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!”
YLT and saying, `Reform, for come nigh hath the reign of the heavens,'
DRB And saying: Do penance: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
DBY and saying, Repent, for the kingdom of the heavens has drawn nigh.
GNV And said, Repent: for the kingdome of heauen is at hand.
LSB “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Verse 3
KJV For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
ASV For this is he that was spoken of through Isaiah the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make ye ready the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight.
WEB For this is he who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, make ready the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight.”Isaiah 40:3
YLT for this is he who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying, `A voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, straight make ye His paths.'
DRB For this is he that was spoken of by Isaias the prophet, saying: A voice of one crying in the desert, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.
DBY For this is he who has been spoken of through Esaias the prophet, saying, Voice of him that crieth in the wilderness: prepare ye the way of [the] Lord, make straight his paths.
GNV For this is he of whome it is spoken by the Prophet Esaias, saying, The voyce of him that crieth in the wildernes, Prepare ye the way of the Lord: make his pathes straight.
LSB For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet, saying, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, Make His paths straight!’”
Verse 4
KJV And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
ASV Now John himself had his raiment of camel`s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his food was locusts and wild honey.
WEB Now John himself wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
YLT And this John had his clothing of camel's hair, and a girdle of skin round his loins, and his nourishment was locusts and honey of the field.
DRB And the same John had his garment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins: and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
DBY And John himself had his garment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins, and his nourishment was locusts and wild honey.
GNV And this Iohn had his garment of camels heare, and a girdle of a skinne about his loynes: his meate was also locusts and wilde hony.
LSB Now John himself had a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.
Verse 5
KJV Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
ASV Then went out unto him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about the Jordan;
WEB Then people from Jerusalem, all of Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him.
YLT Then were going forth unto him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about the Jordan,
DRB Then went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea, and all the country about Jordan:
DBY Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the country round the Jordan,
GNV Then went out to him Ierusalem and all Iudea, and all the region rounde about Iordan.
LSB Then Jerusalem was going out to him, and all Judea, and all the district around the Jordan;
Verse 6
KJV And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
ASV and they were baptized of him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
WEB They were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
YLT and they were baptized in the Jordan by him, confessing their sins.
DRB And were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
DBY and were baptised by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
GNV And they were baptized of him in Iordan, confessing their sinnes.
LSB and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins.
Verse 7
KJV But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
ASV But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said unto them, Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
WEB But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, he said to them, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
YLT And having seen many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming about his baptism, he said to them, `Brood of vipers! who did shew you to flee from the coming wrath?
DRB And seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them: Ye brood of vipers, who hath shewed you to flee from the wrath to come?
DBY But seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, Offspring of vipers, who has forewarned you to flee from the coming wrath?
GNV Now when he sawe many of the Pharises, and of the Sadduces come to his baptisme, he said vnto them, O generations of vipers, who hath forewarned you to flee from the anger to come?
LSB But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
Verse 8
KJV Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
ASV Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of repentance:
WEB Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance!
YLT bear, therefore, fruits worthy of the reformation,
DRB Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of penance.
DBY Produce therefore fruit worthy of repentance.
GNV Bring foorth therefore fruite worthy amendment of life.
LSB Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance;
Verse 9
KJV And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
ASV and think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
WEB Don’t think to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father,’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
YLT and do not think to say in yourselves, A father we have--Abraham, for I say to you, that God is able out of these stones to raise children to Abraham,
DRB And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for our father. For I tell you that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
DBY And do not think to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for [our] father; for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
GNV And thinke not to say with your selues, We haue Abraham to our father: for I say vnto you, that God is able euen of these stones to raise vp children vnto Abraham.
LSB and do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father’; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham.
Verse 10
KJV And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
ASV And even now the axe lieth at the root of the trees: every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
WEB “Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire.
YLT and now also, the axe unto the root of the trees is laid, every tree therefore not bearing good fruit is hewn down, and to fire is cast.
DRB For now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doth not yield good fruit, shall be cut down, and cast into the fire.
DBY And already the axe is applied to the root of the trees; every tree therefore not producing good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire.
GNV And now also is the axe put to the roote of the trees: therfore euery tree which bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewen downe, and cast into ye fire.
LSB And the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Verse 11
KJV I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
ASV I indeed baptize you in water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and [in] fire:
WEB I indeed baptize you in water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.
YLT `I indeed do baptize you with water to reformation, but he who after me is coming is mightier than I, of whom I am not worthy to bear the sandals, he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire,
DRB I indeed baptize you in water unto penance, but he that shall come after me, is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you in the Holy Ghost and fire.
DBY *I* indeed baptise you with water to repentance, but he that comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not fit to bear; *he* shall baptise you with [the] Holy Spirit and fire;
GNV In deede I baptize you with water to amendment of life, but he that commeth after me, is mightier then I, whose shoes I am not worthie to beare: hee will baptize you with the holy Ghost, and with fire.
LSB “As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Verse 12
KJV Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
ASV whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing-floor; and he will gather his wheat into the garner, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire.
WEB His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire.”
YLT whose fan <FI>is<Fi> in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his floor, and will gather his wheat to the storehouse, but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.'
DRB Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his floor and gather his wheat into the barn; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.
DBY whose winnowing fan [is] in his hand, and he shall thoroughly purge his threshing-floor, and shall gather his wheat into the garner, but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.
GNV Which hath his fanne in his hand, and wil make cleane his floore, and gather his wheate into his garner, but will burne vp the chaffe with vnquenchable fire.
LSB His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
Verse 13
KJV Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
ASV Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
WEB Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.
YLT Then cometh Jesus from Galilee upon the Jordan, unto John to be baptized by him,
DRB Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan, unto John, to be baptized by him.
DBY Then comes Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptised of him;
GNV Then came Iesus from Galile to Iordan vnto Iohn, to be baptized of him.
LSB Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John to be baptized by him.
Verse 14
KJV But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
ASV But John would have hindered him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
WEB But John would have hindered him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?”
YLT but John was forbidding him, saying, `I have need by thee to be baptized--and thou dost come unto me!'
DRB But John stayed him, saying: I ought to be baptized by thee, and comest thou to me?
DBY but John urgently forbad him, saying, *I* have need to be baptised of thee; and comest *thou* to me?
GNV But Iohn earnestly put him backe, saying, I haue neede to be baptized of thee, and commest thou to me?
LSB But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”
Verse 15
KJV And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
ASV But Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer [it] now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffereth him.
WEB But Jesus, answering, said to him, “Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed him.
YLT But Jesus answering said to him, `Suffer now, for thus it is becoming to us to fulfil all righteousness,' then he doth suffer him.
DRB And Jesus answering, said to him: Suffer it to be so now. For so it becometh us to fulfil all justice. Then he suffered him.
DBY But Jesus answering said to him, Suffer [it] now; for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffers him.
GNV Then Iesus answering, saide to him, Let be nowe: for thus it becommeth vs to fulfill all righteousnes. So he suffered him.
LSB But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he permitted Him.
Verse 16
KJV And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
ASV And Jesus when he was baptized, went up straightway from the water: and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him;
WEB Jesus, when he was baptized, went up directly from the water: and behold, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming on him.
YLT And having been baptized, Jesus went up immediately from the water, and lo, opened to him were the heavens, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him,
DRB And Jesus being baptized, forthwith came out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened to him: and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him.
DBY And Jesus, having been baptised, went up straightway from the water, and lo, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him:
GNV And Iesus when hee was baptized, came straight out of the water. And lo, the heaues were opened vnto him, and Iohn saw the Spirit of God descending like a doue, and lighting vpon him.
LSB And after being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon Him,
Verse 17
KJV And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
ASV and lo, a voice out of the heavens, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
WEB Behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
YLT and lo, a voice out of the heavens, saying, `This is My Son--the Beloved, in whom I did delight.'
DRB And behold a voice from heaven saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
DBY and behold, a voice out of the heavens saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I have found my delight.
GNV And loe, a voyce came from heauen, saying, This is my beloued Sonne, in whome I am well pleased.
LSB and behold, there was a voice out of the heavens saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”