I
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Word Was God
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2The same was in the beginning with God.
2He was with God in the beginning.
3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
4In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
4In him was life, and that life was the light of all people.
5And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John Sent as a Witness
6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
6There was a man sent from God whose name was John.
7The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
7He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.
8He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
Light Rejected and Received
9That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
9The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.
10He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.
11He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
12Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—
13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
13children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
The Word Became Flesh
14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
15John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
15John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, "This is the one I spoke about when I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.'"
16And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
16Out of his fullness we have all received grace upon grace.
17For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
17For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
18No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
18No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is at the Father's side, has made him known.
John Denies Being the Christ
19And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?
19Now this was John's testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was.
20And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.
20He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, "I am not the Messiah."
21And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.
21They asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No."
22Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?
22Finally they said, "Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?"
23He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.
23John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.'"
24And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.
24Now the Pharisees who had been sent
25And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?
25questioned him, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?"
26John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;
26"I baptize with water," John replied, "but among you stands one you do not know.
27He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
27He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie."
28These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
28This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Behold the Lamb of God
29The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
29The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
30This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.
30This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.'
31And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
31I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel."
32And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
32Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.
33And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
33And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.'
34And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
34I have seen and I testify that this is God's Chosen One."
The First Disciples Follow
35Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;
35The next day John was there again with two of his disciples.
36And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
36When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!"
37And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
37When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.
38Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?
38Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, "What do you want?" They said, "Rabbi" (which means "Teacher"), "where are you staying?"
39He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.
39"Come," he replied, "and you will see." So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.
40One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.
40Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus.
41He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.
41The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ).
42And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.
42And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which, when translated, is Peter).
Philip and Nathanael
43The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.
43The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, "Follow me."
44Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
44Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida.
45Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
45Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."
46And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
46"Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" Nathanael asked. "Come and see," said Philip.
47Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
47When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, "Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit."
48Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.
48"How do you know me?" Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, "I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you."
49Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
49Then Nathanael declared, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel."
50Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.
50Jesus said, "You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that."
51And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.
51He then added, "Very truly I tell you, you will see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."
II
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Water Turned to Wine
1And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:
1On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there,
2And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.
2and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.
3And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
3When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine."
4Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
4"Woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied. "My hour has not yet come."
5His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
5His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."
6And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
6Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding twenty to thirty gallons.
7Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
7Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim.
8And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
8Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet." They did so,
9When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
9and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside
10And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
10and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."
11This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
11What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
A Stay in Capernaum
12After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.
12After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days.
Cleansing the Temple
13And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,
13When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
14And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:
14In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money.
15And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables;
15So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.
16And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.
16To those who sold doves he said, "Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father's house into a market!"
17And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.
17His disciples remembered that it is written: "Zeal for your house will consume me."
18Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?
18The Jewish leaders responded to him, "What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?"
19Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
19Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days."
20Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?
20They replied, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?"
21But he spake of the temple of his body.
21But the temple he had spoken of was his body.
22When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.
22After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.
Jesus Knows What Is in People
23Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.
23Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name.
24But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,
24But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people.
25And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.
25He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.
III
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
You Must Be Born Again
1There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
1Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council.
2The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
2He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him."
3Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
3Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again."
4Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
4"How can someone be born when they are old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother's womb to be born!"
5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
5Jesus answered, "Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.
6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
6Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.
7Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
7You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.'
8The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
8The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."
Earthly and Heavenly Things
9Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
9"How can this be?" Nicodemus asked.
10Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
10"You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "and do you not understand these things?
11Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
11Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.
12If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
12I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?
13And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
13No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.
14And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
14Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,
15That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
15that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him."
God So Loved the World
16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
16For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.
19And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
19This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
20For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
20Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.
21But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
21But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
He Must Increase
22After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
22After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized.
23And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
23Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized.
24For John was not yet cast into prison.
24(This was before John was put in prison.)
25Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying.
25An argument developed between some of John's disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing.
26And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
26They came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him."
27John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
27To this John replied, "A person can receive only what is given them from heaven.
28Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
28You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.'
29He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
29The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.
30He must increase, but I must decrease.
30He must become greater; I must become less.
The One from Above
31He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
31The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all.
32And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
32He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony.
33He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
33Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful.
34For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
34For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.
35The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
35The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands.
36He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
36Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them.
IV
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Jesus Meets a Samaritan Woman
1When therefore the LORD knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,
1Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John—
2(Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)
2although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples.
3He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.
3So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.
4And he must needs go through Samaria.
4Now he had to go through Samaria.
5Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.
5So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph.
6Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.
6Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.
7There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.
7When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?"
8(For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)
8(His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)
9Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
9The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)
Living Water
10Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
10Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."
11The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?
11"Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water?
12Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?
12Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?"
13Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
13Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again,
14But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
14but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
15The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.
15The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water."
Worship in Spirit and Truth
16Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.
16He told her, "Go, call your husband and come back."
17The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:
17"I have no husband," she replied. Jesus said to her, "You are right when you say you have no husband.
18For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.
18The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true."
19The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.
19"Sir," the woman said, "I can see that you are a prophet.
20Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.
20Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem."
21Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
21"Woman," Jesus replied, "believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.
22Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
22You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.
23But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
23Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.
24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
24God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth."
25The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.
25The woman said, "I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us."
26Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.
26Then Jesus declared, "I, the one speaking to you—I am he."
The Fields Are Ripe
27And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?
27Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, "What do you want?" or "Why are you talking with her?"
28The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,
28Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people,
29Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?
29"Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?"
30Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.
30They came out of the town and made their way toward him.
31In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.
31Meanwhile his disciples urged him, "Rabbi, eat something."
32But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.
32But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you know nothing about."
33Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?
33Then his disciples said to each other, "Could someone have brought him food?"
34Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
34"My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.
35Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
35Don't you have a saying, 'It's still four months until harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.
36And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
36Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together.
37And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.
37Thus the saying 'One sows and another reaps' is true.
38I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.
38I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor."
The Samaritans Believe
39And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.
39Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did."
40So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.
40So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days.
41And many more believed because of his own word;
41And because of his words many more became believers.
42And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.
42They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world."
A Nobleman's Son Healed
43Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee.
43After the two days he left for Galilee.
44For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country.
44(Now Jesus himself had pointed out that a prophet has no honor in his own country.)
45Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galilaeans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast.
45When he arrived in Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him. They had seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, for they also had been there.
46So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.
46Once more he visited Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum.
47When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.
47When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death.
48Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.
48"Unless you people see signs and wonders," Jesus told him, "you will never believe."
49The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die.
49The royal official said, "Sir, come down before my child dies."
50Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.
50"Go," Jesus replied, "your son will live." The man took Jesus at his word and departed.
51And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth.
51While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living.
52Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.
52When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, "Yesterday, at one in the afternoon, the fever left him."
53So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.
53Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, "Your son will live." So he and his whole household believed.
54This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee.
54This was the second sign Jesus performed after coming from Judea to Galilee.
V
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Healing at the Pool of Bethesda
1After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
1Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals.
2Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.
2Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades.
3In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.
3Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed—waiting for the moving of the water.
4For 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.
4For at certain times an angel of the Lord would go down and stir up the water, and the first one into the pool after each such stirring would be cured of whatever disease they had.
5And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.
5One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years.
6When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?
6When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, "Do you want to get well?"
7The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.
7"Sir," the invalid replied, "I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me."
8Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.
8Then Jesus said to him, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk."
9And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.
9At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath,
Conflict over the Sabbath
10The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.
10and so the Jewish leaders said to the man who had been healed, "It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat."
11He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.
11But he replied, "The man who made me well said to me, 'Pick up your mat and walk.'"
12Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?
12So they asked him, "Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?"
13And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.
13The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there.
14Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.
14Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, "See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you."
15The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.
15The man went away and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had made him well.
16And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.
16So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute him.
17But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
17In his defense Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working."
18Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.
18For this reason they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
The Son Does What the Father Does
19Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
19Jesus gave them this answer: "Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.
20For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
20For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed.
21For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.
21For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it.
22For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
22Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son,
23That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.
23that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.
24Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
24Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.
Resurrection and Judgment
25Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
25Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.
26For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
26For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.
27And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
27And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.
28Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
28Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice
29And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
29and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.
30I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
30By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.
Witnesses to Jesus
31If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.
31If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true.
32There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.
32There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is true.
33Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.
33You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth.
34But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.
34Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved.
35He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
35John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.
36But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.
36I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me.
37And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.
37And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form,
38And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.
38nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent.
39Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
39You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me,
40And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
40yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
Moses Wrote of Me
41I receive not honour from men.
41I do not accept glory from human beings,
42But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.
42but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts.
43I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
43I have come in my Father's name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him.
44How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?
44How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?
45Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.
45But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set.
46For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.
46If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me.
47But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
47But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?"
VI
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Feeding the Five Thousand
1After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.
1Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias),
2And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.
2and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick.
3And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.
3Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples.
4And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.
4The Jewish Passover Festival was near.
5When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?
5When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?"
6And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.
6He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.
7Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.
7Philip answered him, "It would take more than half a year's wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!"
8One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him,
8Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up,
9There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?
9"Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?"
10And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
10Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there).
11And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
11Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.
12When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.
12When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted."
13Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.
13So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
14Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.
14After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world."
15When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.
15Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.
Walking on the Sea
16And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea,
16When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake,
17And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.
17where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them.
18And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.
18A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough.
19So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.
19When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened.
20But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.
20But he said to them, "It is I; don't be afraid."
21Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.
21Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.
Seeking the Wrong Bread
22The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone;
22The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone.
23(Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:)
23Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks.
24When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.
24Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.
25And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?
25When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?"
26Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.
26Jesus answered, "Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.
27Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
27Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."
The Bread of Life
28Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
28Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?"
29Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
29Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."
30They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?
30So they asked him, "What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do?
31Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.
31Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'"
32Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.
32Jesus said to them, "Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven.
33For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
33For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."
34Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
34"Sir," they said, "always give us this bread."
35And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
35Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
36But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.
36But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe.
37All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
37All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.
38For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
38For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.
39And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
39And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.
40And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
40For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day."
Murmuring About Heaven
41The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.
41At this the Jews there began to grumble about him because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven."
42And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?
42They said, "Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, 'I came down from heaven'?"
43Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.
43"Stop grumbling among yourselves," Jesus answered.
44No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
44"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.
45It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
45It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me.
46Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.
46No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father.
47Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
47Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life.
48I am that bread of life.
48I am the bread of life.
49Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.
49Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died.
50This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
50But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die.
51I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
51I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."
Eating His Flesh and Drinking His Blood
52The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?
52Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"
53Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
53Jesus said to them, "Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.
54Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
54Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.
55For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
55For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.
56He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
56Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them.
57As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.
57Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me.
58This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.
58This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever."
59These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.
59He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
Many Disciples Turn Back
60Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?
60On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?"
61When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?
61Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, "Does this offend you?
62What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?
62Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before!
63It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
63The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.
64But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.
64Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him.
65And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
65He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them."
66From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
66From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
67Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
67"You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve.
68Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
68Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
69And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
69We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God."
70Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?
70Then Jesus replied, "Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!"
71He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.
71(He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.)
VII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Unbelief of Jesus' Brothers
1After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.
1After this, Jesus went around in Galilee. He did not want to go about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to kill him.
2Now the Jews’ feast of tabernacles was at hand.
2But when the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near,
3His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.
3Jesus' brothers said to him, "Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do.
4For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world.
4No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world."
5For neither did his brethren believe in him.
5For even his own brothers did not believe in him.
6Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.
6Therefore Jesus told them, "My time is not yet here; for you any time will do.
7The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.
7The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil.
8Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast: for my time is not yet full come.
8You go to the festival. I am not going up to this festival, because my time has not yet fully come."
9When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee.
9After he had said this, he stayed in Galilee.
Going Up in Secret
10But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.
10However, after his brothers had left for the festival, he went also, not publicly, but in secret.
11Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he?
11Now at the festival the Jewish leaders were watching for Jesus and asking, "Where is he?"
12And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people.
12Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, "He is a good man." Others replied, "No, he deceives the people."
13Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.
13But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the leaders.
Teaching in the Temple
14Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.
14Not until halfway through the festival did Jesus go up to the temple courts and begin to teach.
15And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?
15The Jews there were amazed and asked, "How did this man get such learning without having been taught?"
16Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
16Jesus answered, "My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me.
17If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
17Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.
18He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
18Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.
19Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?
19Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps the law. Why are you trying to kill me?"
20The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?
20"You are demon-possessed," the crowd answered. "Who is trying to kill you?"
21Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel.
21Jesus said to them, "I did one miracle, and you are all amazed.
22Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man.
22Yet, because Moses gave you circumcision (though actually it did not come from Moses, but from the patriarchs), you circumcise a boy on the Sabbath.
23If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?
23Now if a boy can be circumcised on the Sabbath so that the law of Moses may not be broken, why are you angry with me for healing a man's whole body on the Sabbath?
24Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
24Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly."
Is This the Christ?
25Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill?
25At that point some of the people of Jerusalem began to ask, "Isn't this the man they are trying to kill?
26But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?
26Here he is, speaking publicly, and they are not saying a word to him. Have the authorities really concluded that he is the Messiah?
27Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.
27But we know where this man is from; when the Messiah comes, no one will know where he is from."
28Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.
28Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, "Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am not here on my own authority, but he who sent me is true. You do not know him,
29But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.
29but I know him because I am from him and he sent me."
30Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.
30At this they tried to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come.
31And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?
31Still, many in the crowd believed in him. They said, "When the Messiah comes, will he perform more signs than this man?"
Officers Sent to Arrest Him
32The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him.
32The Pharisees heard the crowd whispering such things about him. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees sent temple guards to arrest him.
33Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me.
33Jesus said, "I am with you for only a short time, and then I am going to the one who sent me.
34Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.
34You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come."
35Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?
35The Jews said to one another, "Where does this man intend to go that we cannot find him? Will he go where our people live scattered among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks?
36What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come?
36What did he mean when he said, 'You will look for me, but you will not find me,' and 'Where I am, you cannot come'?"
Rivers of Living Water
37In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
37On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.
38He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
38Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them."
39(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
39By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.
Division over Jesus
40Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.
40On hearing his words, some of the people said, "Surely this man is the Prophet."
41Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?
41Others said, "He is the Messiah." Still others asked, "How can the Messiah come from Galilee?
42Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?
42Does not Scripture say that the Messiah will come from David's descendants and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?"
43So there was a division among the people because of him.
43Thus the people were divided because of Jesus.
44And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.
44Some wanted to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him.
The Officers Return Empty-Handed
45Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?
45Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and the Pharisees, who asked them, "Why didn't you bring him in?"
46The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.
46"No one ever spoke the way this man does," the guards replied.
47Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?
47"You mean he has deceived you also?" the Pharisees retorted.
48Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?
48"Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him?
49But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.
49No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law—there is a curse on them."
50Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,)
50Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked,
51Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?
51"Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?"
52They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.
52They replied, "Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee."
53And every man went unto his own house.
53Then they all went home,
VIII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Woman Caught in Adultery
1Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.
1but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
2And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
2At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them.
3And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
3The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group
4They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
4and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery.
5Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
5In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?"
6This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
6They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger.
7So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
7When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her."
8And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
8Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
9And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
9At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.
10When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
10Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"
11She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
11"No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."
The Light of the World
12Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
12When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
13The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true.
13The Pharisees challenged him, "Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid."
14Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.
14Jesus answered, "Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going.
15Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.
15You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one.
16And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.
16But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me.
17It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.
17In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true.
18I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.
18I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me."
19Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.
19Then they asked him, "Where is your father?" "You do not know me or my Father," Jesus replied. "If you knew me, you would know my Father also."
20These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.
20He spoke these words while teaching in the temple courts near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized him, because his hour had not yet come.
Where I Go You Cannot Come
21Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.
21Once more Jesus said to them, "I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come."
22Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.
22This made the Jews ask, "Will he kill himself? Is that why he says, 'Where I go, you cannot come'?"
23And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
23But he continued, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.
24I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
24I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins."
25Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.
25"Who are you?" they asked. "Just what I have been telling you from the beginning," Jesus replied.
26I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.
26"I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is trustworthy, and what I have heard from him I tell the world."
27They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.
27They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father.
28Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
28So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.
29And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
29The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him."
30As he spake these words, many believed on him.
30Even as he spoke, many believed in him.
The Truth Will Set You Free
31Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
31To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.
32And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
33They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
33They answered him, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?"
34Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
34Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.
35And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
35Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.
36If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
36So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
37I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.
37I know that you are Abraham's descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word.
38I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.
38I am telling you what I have seen in the Father's presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father."
Children of Abraham or the Devil
39They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
39"Abraham is our father," they answered. "If you were Abraham's children," said Jesus, "then you would do what Abraham did.
40But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
40As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things.
41Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
41You are doing the works of your own father." "We are not illegitimate children," they protested. "The only Father we have is God himself."
42Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
42Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me.
43Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
43Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say.
44Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
44You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
45And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
45Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me!
46Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?
46Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe me?
47He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
47Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God."
Before Abraham Was, I Am
48Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?
48The Jews answered him, "Aren't we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?"
49Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.
49"I am not possessed by a demon," said Jesus, "but I honor my Father and you dishonor me.
50And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.
50I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge.
51Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.
51Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death."
52Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.
52At this they exclaimed, "Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death.
53Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?
53Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?"
54Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:
54Jesus replied, "If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me.
55Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.
55Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word.
56Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
56Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad."
57Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?
57"You are not yet fifty years old," they said to him, "and you have seen Abraham!"
58Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
58"Very truly I tell you," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"
59Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
59At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.
IX
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
A Man Born Blind Is Healed
1And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.
1As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth.
2And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
2His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
3Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
3"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.
4I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
4As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.
5As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
5While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
6When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,
6After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes.
7And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
7"Go," he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means "Sent"). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.
The Neighbors Ask Questions
8The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?
8His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, "Isn't this the same man who used to sit and beg?"
9Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he.
9Some claimed that he was. Others said, "No, he only looks like him." But he himself insisted, "I am the man."
10Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened?
10"How then were your eyes opened?" they asked.
11He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.
11He replied, "The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see."
12Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not.
12"Where is this man?" they asked him. "I don't know," he said.
The Pharisees Investigate
13They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind.
13They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind.
14And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes.
14Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man's eyes was a Sabbath.
15Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see.
15Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. "He put mud on my eyes," the man replied, "and I washed, and now I see."
16Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.
16Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath." But others asked, "How can a sinner perform such signs?" So they were divided.
17They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet.
17Then they turned again to the blind man, "What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened." The man replied, "He is a prophet."
The Parents Are Questioned
18But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight.
18They still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man's parents.
19And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see?
19"Is this your son?" they asked. "Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?"
20His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:
20"We know he is our son," the parents answered, "and we know he was born blind.
21But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.
21But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don't know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself."
22These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.
22His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue.
23Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him.
23That was why his parents said, "He is of age; ask him."
The Healed Man Is Cast Out
24Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.
24A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. "Give glory to God by telling the truth," they said. "We know this man is a sinner."
25He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.
25He replied, "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!"
26Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes?
26Then they asked him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?"
27He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?
27He answered, "I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?"
28Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses’ disciples.
28Then they hurled insults at him and said, "You are this fellow's disciple! We are disciples of Moses!
29We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is.
29We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don't even know where he comes from."
30The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes.
30The man answered, "Now that is remarkable! You don't know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes.
31Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
31We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will.
32Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.
32Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind.
33If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.
33If this man were not from God, he could do nothing."
34They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.
34To this they replied, "You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!" And they threw him out.
Spiritual Sight and Blindness
35Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?
35Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?"
36He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?
36"Who is he, sir?" the man asked. "Tell me so that I may believe in him."
37And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.
37Jesus said, "You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you."
38And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.
38Then the man said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him.
39And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.
39Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind."
40And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?
40Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, "What? Are we blind too?"
41Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.
41Jesus said, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.
X
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Shepherd and the Sheepfold
1Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
1"Very truly I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.
2But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
2The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.
3To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
3The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
4And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
4When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.
5And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
5But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice."
6This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
6Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.
I Am the Door
7Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
7Therefore Jesus said again, "Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.
8All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
8All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them.
9I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
9I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.
10The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
The Good Shepherd
11I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
11I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
12But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
12The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it.
13The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
13The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
14I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—
15As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
15just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
16I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
17Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
17The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again.
18No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
18No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."
Division Over His Words
19There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.
19The Jews who heard these words were again divided.
20And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?
20Many of them said, "He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?"
21Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?
21But others said, "These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?"
The Feast of Dedication
22And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.
22Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter,
23And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch.
23and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon's Colonnade.
24Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.
24The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly."
25Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.
25Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father's name testify about me,
26But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
26but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.
27My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
27My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
28I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.
29My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.
30I and my Father are one.
30I and the Father are one."
Accused of Blasphemy
31Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
31Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him,
32Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
32but Jesus said to them, "I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?"
33The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
33"We are not stoning you for any good work," they replied, "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God."
34Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
34Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your Law, 'I have said you are gods'?
35If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
35If he called them 'gods,' to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be set aside—
36Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
36what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, 'I am God's Son'?
37If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
37Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father.
38But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.
38But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father."
39Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,
39Again they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp.
Beyond the Jordan
40And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.
40Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. There he stayed,
41And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.
41and many people came to him. They said, "Though John never performed a sign, all that John said about this man was true."
42And many believed on him there.
42And in that place many believed in Jesus.
XI
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Lazarus Falls Ill
1Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
1Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.
2(It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
2(This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.)
3Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
3So the sisters sent word to Jesus, "Lord, the one you love is sick."
4When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
4When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it."
5Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
5Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
6When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.
6So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days,
Returning to Judea
7Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.
7and then he said to his disciples, "Let us go back to Judea."
8His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?
8"But Rabbi," they said, "a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?"
9Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.
9Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world's light.
10But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.
10It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light."
11These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
11After he had said this, he went on to tell them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up."
12Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.
12His disciples replied, "Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better."
13Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
13Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.
14Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
14So then he told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead,
15And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.
15and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him."
16Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
16Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."
I Am the Resurrection and the Life
17Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.
17On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.
18Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:
18Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem,
19And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
19and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother.
20Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.
20When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.
21Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
21"Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died.
22But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
22But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask."
23Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
23Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."
24Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
24Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."
25Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
25Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;
26And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
26and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
27She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
27"Yes, Lord," she replied, "I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world."
Jesus Weeps
28And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.
28After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. "The Teacher is here," she said, "and is asking for you."
29As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.
29When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him.
30Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.
30Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him.
31The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.
31When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.
32Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
32When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died."
33When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,
33When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.
34And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.
34"Where have you laid him?" he asked. "Come and see, Lord," they replied.
35Jesus wept.
35Jesus wept.
36Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!
36Then the Jews said, "See how he loved him!"
37And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?
37But some of them said, "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?"
Lazarus Raised from the Dead
38Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.
38Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance.
39Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
39"Take away the stone," he said. "But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days."
40Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
40Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?"
41Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
41So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me.
42And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
42I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me."
43And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
43When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!"
44And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
44The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."
The Council Plots His Death
45Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.
45Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him.
46But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.
46But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.
47Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.
47Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. "What are we accomplishing?" they asked. "Here is this man performing many signs.
48If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.
48If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation."
49And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,
49Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, "You know nothing at all!
50Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
50You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish."
51And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;
51He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation,
52And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
52and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one.
53Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.
53So from that day on they plotted to take his life.
Withdrawal Before the Passover
54Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.
54Therefore Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the people of Judea. Instead he withdrew to a region near the wilderness, to a village called Ephraim, where he stayed with his disciples.
55And the Jews’ passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves.
55When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover.
56Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast?
56They kept looking for Jesus, and as they stood in the temple courts they asked one another, "What do you think? Isn't he coming to the festival at all?"
57Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him.
57But the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that anyone who found out where Jesus was should report it so that they might arrest him.
XII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Mary Anoints Jesus at Bethany
1Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
1Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.
2There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
2Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.
3Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
3Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
4Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him,
4But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected,
5Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
5"Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages."
6This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
6He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
7Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.
7"Leave her alone," Jesus replied. "It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.
8For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.
8You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me."
The Plot Against Lazarus
9Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.
9Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.
10But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;
10So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well,
11Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
11for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.
The Triumphal Entry
12On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
12The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem.
13Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.
13They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Blessed is the king of Israel!"
14And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,
14Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:
15Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt.
15"Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey's colt."
16These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.
16At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.
17The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.
17Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word.
18For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.
18Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him.
19The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.
19So the Pharisees said to one another, "See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!"
The Grain of Wheat Must Die
20And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:
20Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival.
21The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
21They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. "Sir," they said, "we would like to see Jesus."
22Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.
22Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.
23And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
23Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
24Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
24Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.
25He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
25Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
26If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
26Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
The Son of Man Lifted Up
27Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
27Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.
28Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
28Father, glorify your name!" Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again."
29The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.
29The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.
30Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.
30Jesus said, "This voice was for your benefit, not mine.
31Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
31Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.
32And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
32And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."
33This he said, signifying what death he should die.
33He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.
34The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
34The crowd spoke up, "We have heard from the Law that the Messiah will remain forever, so how can you say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this 'Son of Man'?"
35Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
35Then Jesus told them, "You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going.
36While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
36Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light." When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.
Unbelief Foretold by Isaiah
37But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
37Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him.
38That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
38This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: "Lord, who has believed our message, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?"
39Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
39For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere:
40He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
40"He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn—and I would heal them."
41These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.
41Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus' glory and spoke about him.
42Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
42Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue;
43For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
43for they loved human praise more than praise from God.
Jesus' Final Public Appeal
44Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.
44Then Jesus cried out, "Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me.
45And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.
45The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me.
46I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
46I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
47And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
47If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.
48He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
48There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day.
49For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
49For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken.
50And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
50I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say."
XIII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet
1Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
1It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
2And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him;
2The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.
3Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
3Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God;
4He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
4so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.
5After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
5After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
6Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"
7Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
7Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."
8Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
8"No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."
9Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
9"Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"
10Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
10Jesus answered, "Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you."
11For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
11For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
An Example to Follow
12So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
12When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them.
13Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
13"You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am.
14If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.
14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet.
15For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
16Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
16Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
17If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
18I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.
18I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill this passage of Scripture: 'He who shared my bread has turned against me.'
19Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.
19I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am.
20Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
20Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me."
The Betrayer Identified
21When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
21After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me."
22Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.
22His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant.
23Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
23One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him.
24Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.
24Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, "Ask him which one he means."
25He then lying on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?
25Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?"
26Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
26Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.
27And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.
27As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, "What you are about to do, do quickly."
28Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.
28But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him.
29For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.
29Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor.
30He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.
30As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.
A New Commandment
31Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
31When he was gone, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him.
32If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.
32If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.
33Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.
33My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.
34A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
34A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
35By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
35By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Peter's Denial Foretold
36Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.
36Simon Peter asked him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus replied, "Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later."
37Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.
37Peter asked, "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you."
38Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.
38Then Jesus answered, "Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!
XIV
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Way, the Truth, and the Life
1Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
1"Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.
2In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
2My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?
3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
4And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
4You know the way to the place where I am going."
5Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
5Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"
6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
6Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
7If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
7If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."
Seeing the Father in Jesus
8Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
8Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."
9Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
9Jesus answered, "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?
10Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
10Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.
11Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.
11Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.
12Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
12Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
13And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
13And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
14You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
The Promise of the Comforter
15If ye love me, keep my commandments.
15If you love me, keep my commands.
16And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—
17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
17the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
18I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
18I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
19Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
19Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.
20At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
20On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.
21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
21Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them."
22Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
22Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?"
23Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
23Jesus replied, "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.
24He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.
24Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
Peace I Leave With You
25These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
25All this I have spoken while still with you.
26But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
26But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
27Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
28Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
28You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.
29And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.
29I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.
30Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.
30I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me,
31But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
31but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me. Come now; let us leave.
XV
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Vine and the Branches
1I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
1"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.
2Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
3Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.
4Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
4Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
5I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
6If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
6If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.
7If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
8Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
8This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Remain in My Love
9As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
9As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.
10If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
10If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in his love.
11These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
11I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
12This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
13Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
13Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.
14Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
14You are my friends if you do what I command.
15Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
15I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
16Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.
17These things I command you, that ye love one another.
17This is my command: Love each other.
The World's Hatred
18If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
18If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.
19If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
19If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.
20Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
20Remember what I told you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.
21But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.
21They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.
22If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin.
22If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.
23He that hateth me hateth my Father also.
23Whoever hates me hates my Father as well.
24If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.
24If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father.
25But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
25But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: 'They hated me without reason.'
The Spirit and the Disciples Bear Witness
26But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
26When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.
27And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
27And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.
XVI
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
A Warning of Persecution
1These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
1"All this I have told you so that you will not fall away.
2They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
2They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God.
3And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
3They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me.
4But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.
4I have told you this, so that when their time comes you will remember that I warned you about them. I did not tell you this from the beginning because I was with you,
Why Jesus Must Go Away
5But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?
5but now I am going to him who sent me. None of you asks me, 'Where are you going?'
6But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.
6Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things.
7Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
7But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
8And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
8When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment:
9Of sin, because they believe not on me;
9about sin, because people do not believe in me;
10Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
10about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer;
11Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
11and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
The Spirit Will Guide into Truth
12I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
12I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear.
13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
13But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
14He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
14He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.
15All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
15All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you."
Sorrow Turned to Joy
16A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.
16Jesus went on to say, "In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me."
17Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?
17At this, some of his disciples said to one another, "What does he mean by saying, 'In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,' and 'Because I am going to the Father'?"
18They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.
18They kept asking, "What does he mean by 'a little while'? We don't understand what he is saying."
19Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?
19Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, "Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, 'In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me'?
20Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
20Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.
21A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
21A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.
22And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
22So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.
23And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
23In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
24Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
24Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
Plain Speech and Peace
25These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.
25Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father.
26At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:
26In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf.
27For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
27No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.
28I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.
28I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father."
29His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.
29Then Jesus' disciples said, "Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech.
30Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.
30Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God."
31Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?
31"Do you now believe?" Jesus replied.
32Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
32"A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.
33These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
33I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
XVII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Jesus Prays for Himself
1These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
1After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.
2As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
2For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.
3And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
3Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
4I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
4I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.
5And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
5And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
Jesus Prays for His Disciples
6I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.
6I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word.
7Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.
7Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you.
8For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
8For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.
9I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
9I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.
10And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
10All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.
11And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
11I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.
12While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
12While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.
13And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
13I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.
14I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
14I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.
15I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
15My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
16They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
16They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.
17Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
17Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
18As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
18As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.
19And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
19For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
Jesus Prays for All Believers
20Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
20My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,
21That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
22And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—
23I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
23I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
24Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
24Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
25O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.
25Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me.
26And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
26I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."
XVIII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Arrest in the Garden
1When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.
1When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it.
2And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.
2Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples.
3Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
3So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.
4Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?
4Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, "Who is it you want?"
5They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
5"Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "I am he," Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.)
6As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
6When Jesus said, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground.
7Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.
7Again he asked them, "Who is it you want?" "Jesus of Nazareth," they said.
8Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:
8Jesus answered, "I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go."
9That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.
9This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: "I have not lost one of those you gave me."
10Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
10Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.)
11Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
11Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?"
Taken to Annas
12Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,
12Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him
13And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.
13and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year.
14Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
14Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people.
Peter's First Denial
15And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.
15Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest's courtyard,
16But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.
16but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in.
17Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not.
17"You aren't one of this man's disciples too, are you?" she asked Peter. He replied, "I am not."
18And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.
18It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.
Questioned by the High Priest
19The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.
19Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.
20Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.
20"I have spoken openly to the world," Jesus replied. "I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret.
21Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.
21Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said."
22And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?
22When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby slapped him in the face. "Is this the way you answer the high priest?" he demanded.
23Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?
23"If I said something wrong," Jesus replied, "testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?"
24Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.
24Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
Peter's Second and Third Denials
25And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not.
25Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, "You aren't one of his disciples too, are you?" He denied it, saying, "I am not."
26One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?
26One of the high priest's servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, "Didn't I see you with him in the garden?"
27Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.
27Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.
Jesus Brought to Pilate
28Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.
28Then the Jewish leaders took Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness they did not enter the palace, because they wanted to be able to eat the Passover.
29Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?
29So Pilate came out to them and asked, "What charges are you bringing against this man?"
30They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.
30"If he were not a criminal," they replied, "we would not have handed him over to you."
31Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:
31Pilate said, "Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law." "But we have no right to execute anyone," they objected.
32That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.
32This took place to fulfill what Jesus had said about the kind of death he was going to die.
My Kingdom Is Not of This World
33Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?
33Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?"
34Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?
34"Is that your own idea," Jesus asked, "or did others talk to you about me?"
35Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?
35"Am I a Jew?" Pilate replied. "Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?"
36Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
36Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place."
37Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
37"You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."
38Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.
38"What is truth?" retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, "I find no basis for a charge against him.
39But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?
39But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release 'the king of the Jews'?"
40Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.
40They shouted back, "No, not him! Give us Barabbas!" Now Barabbas was a robber.
XIX
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Behold the Man
1Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.
1Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged.
2And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,
2The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe
3And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.
3and went up to him again and again, saying, "Hail, king of the Jews!" And they slapped him in the face.
4Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.
4Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews gathered there, "Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him."
5Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!
5When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, "Here is the man!"
6When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.
6As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, "Crucify! Crucify!" But Pilate answered, "You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him."
7The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.
7The Jewish leaders insisted, "We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God."
Pilate Gives In
8When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid;
8When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid,
9And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.
9and he went back inside the palace. "Where do you come from?" he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer.
10Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?
10"Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?"
11Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.
11Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin."
12And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.
12From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jewish leaders kept shouting, "If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar."
13When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.
13When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge's seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha).
14And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!
14It was the day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about noon. "Here is your king," Pilate said to the Jews.
15But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.
15But they shouted, "Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!" "Shall I crucify your king?" Pilate asked. "We have no king but Caesar," the chief priests answered.
16Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.
16Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus.
The Crucifixion
17And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:
17Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha).
18Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.
18There they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle.
19And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.
19Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
20This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.
20Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek.
21Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.
21The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, "Do not write 'The King of the Jews,' but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews."
22Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.
22Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written."
The Garments and the Mother
23Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.
23When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.
24They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.
24"Let's not tear it," they said to one another. "Let's decide by lot who will get it." This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled that said, "They divided my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment." So this is what the soldiers did.
25Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
25Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
26When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
26When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, "Woman, here is your son,"
27Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
27and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
It Is Finished
28After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.
28Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty."
29Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.
29A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips.
30When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
30When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
The Pierced Side
31The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
31Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down.
32Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.
32The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other.
33But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:
33But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.
34But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.
34Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.
35And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.
35The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe.
36For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.
36These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken,"
37And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.
37and, as another scripture says, "They will look on the one they have pierced."
The Burial
38And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.
38Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate's permission, he came and took the body away.
39And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.
39He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.
40Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.
40Taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.
41Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.
41At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid.
42There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.
42Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
XX
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Empty Tomb
1The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
1Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.
2Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the LORD out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.
2So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!"
3Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.
3So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb.
4So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.
4Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.
5And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.
5He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in.
6Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,
6Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there,
7And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.
7as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus' head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen.
8Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.
8Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed.
9For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
9(They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)
10Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.
10Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.
Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene
11But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,
11Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb
12And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
12and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.
13And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my LORD, and I know not where they have laid him.
13They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?" "They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him."
14And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
14At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
15Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
15He asked her, "Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him."
16Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
16Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means "Teacher").
17Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
17Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"
18Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the LORD, and that he had spoken these things unto her.
18Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that he had said these things to her.
Jesus Appears to the Disciples
19Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
19On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!"
20And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the LORD.
20After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
21Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
21Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."
22And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
22And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.
23Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
23If you forgive anyone's sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."
Thomas Believes
24But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
24Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.
25The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the LORD. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
25So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."
26And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
26A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!"
27Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
27Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
28And Thomas answered and said unto him, My LORD and my God.
28Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
29Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
29Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
The Purpose of This Book
30And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
30Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.
31But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
31But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
XXI
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Breakfast by the Sea
1After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.
1Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way:
2There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.
2Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.
3Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.
3"I'm going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We'll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
4But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.
4Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
5Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.
5He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?" "No," they answered.
6And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.
6He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
7Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.
7Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.
8And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.
8The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.
9As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.
9When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.
10Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.
10Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught."
11Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.
11So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.
12Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.
12Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord.
13Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.
13Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.
14This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.
14This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
Peter Restored
15So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
15When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
16He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
16Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."
17He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
17The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.
18Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
18Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go."
19This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
19Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"
The Beloved Disciple's Future
20Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?
20Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had asked, "Lord, who is going to betray you?")
21Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?
21When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?"
22Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.
22Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me."
23Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?
23Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?"
Closing Testimony
24This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.
24This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.
25And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.
25Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.