KJV Parallel Bible

Among the 5,000+ Greek manuscripts of the New Testament that we still have, there are differences. But unless you read Greek, you cannot know for yourself what these differences are. You have to take someone else’s word for it.

Until now. Using the KJV Parallel Bible, English speakers can see for themselves the differences between the two major textual traditions. This site compares:

  • Scrivener’s Textus Receptus, the Greek text underlying the KJV, and…
  • The Critical Text, the Greek text underlying most modern Bible translations.

KJV Parallel Bible

Among the 5,000+ Greek manuscripts of the New Testament that we still have, there are differences. But unless you read Greek, you cannot know for yourself what these differences are. You have to take someone else’s word for it.

Until now. Using the KJV Parallel Bible, English speakers can see for themselves the differences between the two major textual traditions. This site compares:

  • Scrivener’s Textus Receptus, the Greek text underlying the KJV, and…
  • The Critical Text, the Greek text underlying most modern Bible translations.
Finally, English readers can see for themselves what all the fuss is about in the debate over the KJV and the Greek New Testament.
Daniel B. Wallace

Daniel B. Wallace

Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts

“Mark Ward’s KJV Parallel Bible accomplishes two significant feats: First, it makes the comparisons of the underlying Greek texts of the King James New Testament and that of modern translations accessible to everyone. Second, it lays out all the differences that affect translation in the style of the KJV. This second accomplishment is brilliant in its simplicity, showing just how little modern translations differ from the King James in their underlying text.”

Peter Gurry

Peter Gurry

The Text & Canon Institute

“The KJV Parallel Bible has two invaluable functions for my work. The first is that it makes it easy to find differences between the Greek text underlying the KJV and most modern English Bibles. Second, and even more helpful, it makes it easy for me to show these differences to English Bible readers who don’t know Greek. In this, it really helps people see what’s at stake—and what isn’t.”

How to use this site

On the left is the KJV as it stands in most printed KJVs today (the 1769 Blayney edition, the last of a series of minor revisions of the 1611 KJV).

Differences from the critical text are
highlighted and marked in bold.

On the right is the KJV as it would be if it were based on the Greek text underlying the ESV and other modern Bible translations.

Differences from the Textus Receptus are
highlighted and marked in bold.

The text marked “TR” is the KJV as it stands in most printed KJVs today (the 1769 Blayney edition, the last of a series of minor revisions of the 1611 KJV).

Differences from the critical text are
highlighted and marked in bold.

The text marked “CT” is the KJV as it would be if it were based on the Greek text underlying the ESV and other modern Bible translations.

Differences from the Textus Receptus are
highlighted and marked in bold.

Matthew 1

Textus Receptus

Critical Text

1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;
2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;
3 And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;
3 And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;
4 And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;
4 And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;

5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;

5 And Salmon begat Boez of Rachab; and Boez begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;

6 And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;
6 And Jesse begat David the king; and David begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;

7 And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;

7 And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asaph;
8 And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias;
8 And Asaph begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias;
9 And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias;
9 And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias;
10 And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias;
10 And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amos; and Amos begat Josias;
11 And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:
11 And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:
12 And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;
12 And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;
13 And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;
13 And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;
14 And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud;
14 And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud;
15 And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;
15 And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;
16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.
17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
25 And knew her not till she had brought forth a son: and he called his name JESUS.

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