The purpose of this essay is to point out that there have been changes in the manuscripts which were used in preparing the texts and the various versions of the New Testament. Some of the changes apparently resulted from notes being interpolated into the text of the Scriptures by copyists. Some were made for other reasons.
The New King James Version has virtually the same text as the King James Version, but with the use of modern language. However, it notes any words, phrases, or sentences that do not appear in the NU-Text and the M-Text. The NU-Text represents the Alexandrian or Egyptian type of text, as found in the twenty-sixth edition of The Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament (N) and the United Bible Societies’ third edition (U). The M-Text represents readings as found in the first edition of The Greek New Testament According to the Majority Text.
The sources for the King James Version are as follows: Latin Vulgate, Greek and Hebrew manuscripts, Tyndale’s Version, Coverdale’s Version, the Geneva Bible, and the Bishop’s Bible. The most ancient and reliable Greek manuscripts are Codex Alexandrinus, Codex Vaticanus, and Codex Sinaiticus, all dating back to the first half of the fourth century A.D. The canon of the New Testament was finalized in the second half of the fourth century A.D. after considerable difference of opinion. These codices were not located until after the publication of the King James Version. It is noted that the additions found in this version were not in many manuscripts, especially the most reliable. Twentieth century translators have had access to many more manuscripts and other resources that the translators of the King James Version did not have.
The New King James Version is quoted in each of fourteen selected passages from the Book of the Acts. Each has a footnote which states the addition to the passage. Following this is the King James rendering of the same passage.
Following these two versions is the passage in five other versions. In the fourteen passages are a total of thirty-five versions, in addition to the King James and the New King James. Each set of five versions is used for two passages.
Versions Compared
- AAT – An American Translation (Beck)
- AB – Amplified Bible
- AIV – An Inclusive Version
- CEV – Contemporary English Version
- CJB – Complete Jewish Bible
- CNT – Cassirer New Testament
- DRB – Douay-Rheims Bible
- EBR – The Emphasized Bible
- GW – God’s Word
- IB – Interlinear Bible
- IV – Inspired Version
- KJV – King James Version
- LB – Living Bible
- LBP – Lamsa Bible
- MCT – McCord’s New Testament Translation
- NAB – New American Bible
- NAS – New American Standard Version
- NBV – New Berkeley Version
- NCV – New Century Version
- NEB – New English Bible
- NET – New Evangelical Translation
- NIV – New International Version
- NJB – New Jerusalem Bible
- NKJ – New King James Version
- NLV – New Life Version
- NRS – New Revised Standard Version
- NWT – New World Translation
- PRS – Phillips Revised Student Edition
- SGAT – An American Translation (Smith-Goodspeed)
- SNB – Restoration of Original Sacred Name Bible
- REB – Revised English Bible
- RSV – Revised Standard Version
- TEV – Today’s English Version
- TM – The Message
- WET – Wuest Expanded Translation
- WNT – Williams New Testament
- YLR – Young’s Literal Translation, Revised Edition
Acts 2: 30
NKJ – Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, ….
Footnote: NU-Text omits according to the flesh, and completes the verse with He would seat one on his throne.
KJV – Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; … .
AAT – He was a prophet and knew God had sworn to him to put one of his descendents on his throne.
LBP – For he was a prophet, and he knew that God had sworn by his oath to him that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up one to sit on his throne.
NIV – But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne.
NJB – But since he was a prophet, and knew that God had sworn him an oath to make one of his descendants succeed him on the throne, … .
YLR – …; a prophet, therefore, being, and knowing that with an oath God did swear to him, out of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, to raise up the Christ, to sit upon his throne, … .
Acts 3: 20
NKJ – …, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, … .
Footnote: NU-Text and M-Text read Christ Jesus who was ordained for you before.
KJV – And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: … .
MCT – …, and that he may send to you the one who has been appointed for you, Christ Jesus, … .
NAB – … and send you the Messiah already appointed for you, Jesus, … .
Footnote: [This is] an allusion to the parousia or second coming of Christ, judged to be imminent in the apostolic age. The reference to the nearness is the only explicit one in Acts. Some scholars believe that this verse preserves a very early christology, in which the title “Messiah” (Greek “Christ”) is applied to him as of his parousia, his second coming (contrast 2:36). This view of a future messiahship of Jesus is not found elsewhere in the New Testament.
RSV – …, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus.
TM – …, and send you the Messiah he prepared for you, namely, Jesus.
WNT – …, and He may send back Jesus, the Christ who long ago was appointed for you.
Footnote: Literally, formerly appointed Christ (WH).
Acts 5: 24
NKJ – Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be.
Footnote: NU-Text omits the high priest.
KJV – Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.
DRB – Now when the officer of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were in doubt concerning them, and what would come to pass.
NLV – When the religious leaders and the leader of the house of God heard this, they were much troubled as to what might happen.
NRS – Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were perplexed about them, wondering what might be going on.
SGAT – When the commander of the Temple and the high priests heard this report, they were very much at a loss as to what would come of it.
WET – Now, when they heard these words, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests continued to be entirely at a loss concerning them as to what might become of this.
Acts 8: 37
NKJ – Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.”
And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
Footnote: NU-Text and M-Text omit this verse. It is found in the Western texts, including the Latin tradition.
KJV – 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.
AB – And Philip said, If you believe with all your heart [that is, if you have a conviction, full of joyful trust, that Jesus is the Messiah, and accept Him as the Author of your salvation in the kingdom of God, giving Him your obedience, then] you may. And he replied, I do believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, … .
CJB – [Omitted.]
Footnote: Some manuscripts include verse 37: And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” He answered, “I believe that Yeshua the Messiah is the Son of God.”
IV – 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.
LB – “You can,” Philip answered, “if you believe with all your heart.”
And the eunuch replied, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
Footnote: Many ancient manuscripts omit verse 37 wholly or in part.
NCV – [Omitted.]
Footnote: Some late copies of Acts add verse 37: “Philip answered, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you can.’ The officer said, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.'”
Acts 9: 5, 6
NKJ – And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”
Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”
Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
Footnote: NU-Text and M-Text omit the last sentence of verse 5 and begin verse 6 with But arise and go.
KJV – And he said, “Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecuteth: it is hard to 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, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
EBR – And he said —
Who art thou, Lord?
And /he/ [said] —
//I// am Jesus whom //thou// art persecuting!
But rise up and enter into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
IB – And he said, Who are you, Sir? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom you persecute. It is hard for you to kick against the prods. Both trembling and being astonished, he said, Lord, what do You desire me to do? And the Lord said to him, Rise up and go into the city, and it will be told you what you must do.
NBV – He said, “Who are You, Lord?” He answered, “I am Jesus, whom you have been persecuting. [It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” Trembling and astonished, he asked, “Lord, what would You have me do?” The Lord said to him,] “Rise and enter the city and it will be told you what you must do.”
Footnote: The words in verses 5 and 6 that are enclosed in brackets are not found in the majority of the most reliable ancient manuscripts.
NET – “Who are You, Lord?” he asked.
“I am Jesus,” He said, “whom you are persecuting. But get up, go into the city, and you will be told what you should do.”
PRS – “Who are you, Lord?” he asked.
“I am Jesus whom you are persecuting,” was the reply. “But now stand up and go into the city and there you will be told what you must do.”
Acts 10: 6
NKJ – He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do.
Footnote: NU-Text and M-Text omit the last sentence of this verse.
KJV – He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
AIV – “…; he is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside.”
CEV – “He is visiting with Simon the leather maker, who lives in a house near the sea.”
CNT – “He lodges with another Simon, a tanner, who owns a house by the seashore.”
GW – He is a guest of Simon, a leather worker, whose house is by the sea.
NEB – “…; he is lodging with another Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.”
Acts 15: 24
NKJ – Since we heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law – to whom we gave no such commandment – … .
Footnote: NU-Text omits saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law”.
KJV – Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: … .
AAT – “Since we heard that some men, coming from us without instructions from us, have said things to trouble you, and they continue to upset you, … .”
LBP – We have heard that certain men have gone out and disturbed you with words, thus upsetting your souls, saying, You must be circumcised and keep the law; concerning these things we have never commanded them.
NIV – We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said.
NJB – We hear that some people coming from here, but acting without authority from ourselves, have disturbed you with their demands and have unsettled your minds; … .
YLR – …; seeing we have heard that certain having gone forth from us did trouble you with words, subverting your souls, saying to be circumcised and to keep the law, to whom we did give no charge, …
Acts 17: 5
NKJ – But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar … .
Footnote: NU-Text omits who were not persuaded; M-Text omits becoming envious.
KJV – But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar.
AB – But the unbelieving Jews were aroused to jealousy, and getting hold of some loungers in the market place – ruffians and rascals – they gathered together a mob, and set the town in an uproar, … .
CJB – But the unbelieving Jew grew jealous; so they got together some vicious men from the riffraff hanging around in the market square, collected a crowd and started a riot in the city.
IV – But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, … .
LB – But the Jewish leaders were jealous and incited some worthless fellows from the streets to form a mob and start a riot.
NCV – But the Jews became jealous. So they got some evil men from the marketplace, formed a mob, and started a riot.
Acts 18: 21
NKJ – …, but took leave of them, saying, “I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, God willing.”
Footnote: NU-Text omits I must through Jerusalem.
KJV – …; But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will.
EBR – …; but <bidding them adieu saying —
//Again// will I return unto you /God willing/> … .
IB – …; but took leave of them, saying, I must by all means keep the coming feast at Jerusalem; but I will come again to you, God willing.
NBV – Instead, he said good-by to them with a promise, “God willing, I shall come back to you.”
NET – As he said good-bye to them, he told them, “I will come back to you if God wants me to.”
PRS – …, bidding them farewell with the words, “If it is God’s will I will come back to you again.”
Acts 21: 25
NKJ – “But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written and decided that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality.”
Footnote: NU-Text omits that they should observe no such thing, except.
KJV – As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.
AIV – But as for the Gentiles who have become believers, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from fornication.
Footnote: Other ancient authorities lack and from what is strangled.
CEV – Some while ago we told the Gentile followers what we think they should do. We instructed them not to eat anything offered to idols. They were told not to eat any meat with blood still in it or the meat of an animal that has been strangled. They were also told not to commit any terrible sexual sins.
CNT – “But as for those who have come to the faith as Gentiles, to these we have sent out a letter containing the decision we have come to – that they are to abstain from meat which has been offered in sacrifice to an idol, from eating blood from the flesh of animals killed by strangling, and from committing fornication.
GW – “[To clarify this matter] we have written non-Jewish believers a letter with our decision. We told them that they should not eat food sacrificed to false gods, bloody meat, or meat of strangled animals. They also should not commit sexual sins.”
NEB – As for the gentile converts, we have sent our decision that they must abstain from meat that has been offered to idols, from blood, from anything that has been strangled, and from fornication.
Footnote: Some witnesses omit from anything that has been strangled.
Acts 22: 9
NKJ – “And those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me.”
Footnote: NU-Text omits and were afraid.
KJV – And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spoke to me.
NAS – And those who were with me beheld the light, to be sure, but they did not understand the voice of the One who was speaking to me.
NWT – Now the men who were with me beheld, indeed, the light but did not hear the voice of the one speaking to me.
REB – My companions saw the light, but did not hear the voice that spoke to me.
SNB – Now they who were with me, beheld indeed, the light, but heard not the voice of Him that was speaking with me.
TEV – The men with me saw the light, but did not hear the voice of the one who was speaking to me.
Acts 23: 9
NKJ – …, “We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God.”
Footnote: NU-Text omits last clause and reads what if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?
KJV – …, We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.
MCT – “… . What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?”
NAB – …, “We find nothing wrong with this man. Suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?”
RSV – …, “We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?”
TM – …: “We don’t find anything wrong with this man! And what if a spirit has spoken to him? Or maybe an angel? What if it turns out we’re fighting against God?”
WNT – …, “We find nothing wrong with this man. Suppose a spirit or angel has really spoken to him!”
Acts 24: 6-8
NKJ – “He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, and wanted to judge him according to our law. But the commander Lysias came by and with great violence took him out of our hands, commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.”
Footnote: NU-Text ends the sentence here [after and we seized him] and omits the rest of verse 6, all of verse 7, and the first clause of verse 8 [ending to come to you].
KJV – …: 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: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.
NAS – “And he even tried to desecrate the temple; and then we arrested him. [And we wanted to judge him according to our own Law.”
But Lysias the commander came along, and with much violence took him out of our hands, ordering his accusers to come before you.] And by examining him yourself concerning all these matters, you will be able to ascertain the things of which we accuse him.
Footnote: Many mss. do not contain the remainder of verse 6, verse 7, nor the first part of verse 8.
NWT – “…, one who also tried to profane the temple and whom we seized. —- From him you yourself can by examination find out about these things of which we are accusing him.”
REB – “He made an attempt to profane the temple and we arrested him. If you examine him yourself you can ascertain the truth of all the charges we bring against him.”
Footnote: Some witnesses add It was our intention to try him under our law; but Lysias the commandant intervened and forcibly took him out of our hands, ordering his accusers to come before you.
SNB – …, Who also attempted to desecrate even the temple, whom we also seized,
But the chief Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands.
For whom thou shalt be able thyself, by making examination concerning all these things, to ascertain the things of which we are accusing him.
TEV – “He also tried to defile the Temple, and we arrested him. If you question this man, you yourself will be able to learn from him all the things that we are accusing him of.”
Footnote: Some manuscripts add verses 6b-8a: We planned to judge him according to our own law, but the commander Lysias came, and with great violence took him from us. Then Lysias gave orders that his accusers should come before you.
Acts 24: 26
NKJ – Meanwhile he had also hoped that money would be given by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore, he sent for him more often and conversed with him.
Footnote: NU-Text omits that he might release him.
KJV – He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
DRB – Hoping also withal, that money should be given him by Paul; for which cause also oftentimes sending for him, he spoke with him.
NLV – He was hoping that Paul would give him money so that he could go free. For that reason he kept sending for Paul and talking to him.
NRS – At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul, and for that reason he used to send for him very often and converse with him.
SGAT – At the same time he hoped to get money from Paul, and for that reason he used to send for him very often and talk with him.
WET – …; at the same time also hoping that money will be given to him by Paul. On this account also he kept on sending for him more frequently and conversing with him.
