New King James Version - Revision history

Nick: /* Revelation 16:16 */

2025-11-12T10:05:38Z

Revelation 16:16

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	NKJV: "And they gathered them" which reflects a dynamic interpretation, probably referring back to the three unclean spirits (v.13–14), which go out and gather kings.		NKJV: "And they gathered them" which reflects a dynamic interpretation, probably referring back to the three unclean spirits (v.13–14), which go out and gather kings.

	So the KJV keeps the Greek singular and leaves the subject ambiguous ("he"). Yet the NKJV interprets the agents as plural ("they") — likely referring to the demonic spirits. So the NKJV departs ~~fropm~~ the KJV here.		So the KJV keeps the Greek singular and leaves the subject ambiguous ("he"). Yet the NKJV interprets the agents as plural ("they") — likely referring to the demonic spirits. So the NKJV departs from the KJV here.

	===[[Revelation 19:8]]===		===[[Revelation 19:8]]===

Nick: /* Luke 16:23 */

2025-10-01T09:16:59Z

Luke 16:23

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	Hell is transliterated to Hades. Which is more understandable?		Hell is transliterated to Hades. Which is more understandable?

			===[[John 11:19]]===
			* And many of the Jews '''<u>came to</u>''' Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. ([[KJV]])
			* And many of the Jews '''<u>had joined the women around</u>''' Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. ([[NKJV]])

			The KJV has “came to” while the NKJV changes it to “had joined the women around.” “Had joined” translates ἐληλύθεισαν (from ἔρχομαι, “to come”). This is a departure from the simpler “had come” (as in the KJV). The Greek verb ἐληλύθεισαν (from ἔρχομαι) means “had come” or “had arrived.” The NKJV’s “had joined” implies a specific action of uniting or becoming part of a group, which adds a nuance not present in the Greek. ἔρχομαι denotes movement or arrival, not necessarily “joining” in the sense of becoming a member of a group. This choice risks overinterpreting the verb, deviating from the TR’s straightforward meaning.

			The phrase πρὸς τὰς περὶ Μάρθαν καὶ Μαρίαν is an idiomatic Greek construction meaning “to those around Martha and Mary” or “to Martha and Mary and their associates.” As Beza’s annotation and Vincent’s Word Studies notes suggest (see [[John 11:19]]), it likely includes other women (friends or relatives) mourning with Martha and Mary. The NKJV’s “the women around Martha and Mary” explicitly identifies τὰς as “the women,” which is reasonable given the feminine article and the context of mourning (a culturally female-associated activity in first-century Judea, as per John 11:31).

			The NKJV’s phrasing—“had joined the women around”—implies that “many of the Jews” (a mixed or unspecified group) joined a distinct group of women already gathered around Martha and Mary. However, the Greek suggests that “many of the Jews” themselves include or are the τὰς περὶ Μάρθαν καὶ Μαρίαν (the women around Martha and Mary). In other words, the Jews who “had come” are likely the same group as “those [women] around Martha and Mary,” not a separate group joining them. The NKJV’s wording risks creating a false distinction between the Jews and the women.

			The NKJV’s “had joined the women around” suggests a sequential action (Jews joining an already-formed group), which the Greek does not explicitly support. This could mislead readers about the composition and action of the group.

			So,
			* “Had joined” misrepresents the verb ἐληλύθεισαν, adding a nuance of integration not in the Greek.
			* “The women around” implies a separate group of women that the Jews joined, which the Greek syntax (πολλοὶ ἐκ τῶν Ἰουδαίων as the subject) does not clearly support.

			The KJV’s “came to Martha and Mary” simplifies the περὶ idiom but accurately conveys the action (ἐληλύθεισαν, “had come”) and the destination (πρὸς τὰς περὶ, the group centered on Martha and Mary). It avoids adding unwarranted nuances like “joining” or separating the Jews from the women. “Came to” can flexibly imply “gathering around” or “assembling with,” which aligns with the περὶ idiom without overtranslating it.

			The NKJV aims to clarify the περὶ idiom but introduces ambiguity about the group’s composition and action, diverging from the TR’s straightforward meaning.

	===[[John 20:19]]-[[John 20:21\|21]]===		===[[John 20:19]]-[[John 20:21\|21]]===

Nick: /* 1 John 3:16 */

2025-08-28T12:13:02Z

1 John 3:16

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	The original 1611 does not have any italic here and Scrivener includes it in his Textus Receptus that the NKJV claims to be based upon. Scrivener notes that Westcott and Hort’s text omits "τοῦ Θεοῦ". So the NKJV clearly departs from the TR here, and also the KJV. Beza’s 1598 clearly says "τοῦ Θεοῦ" and he translates it into Latin as "Charitatem Dei". While earlier TR editions and English bibles omit the words, it is abundantly clear that Beza, Scrivener and the KJV of 1611 had the words there. While the italics of Blaney here are controversial, as most see them as unnecessary, the omission of the words from the NKJV that claims to be merely a "New" KJV, is clearly a departure from the TR text.		The original 1611 does not have any italic here and Scrivener includes it in his Textus Receptus that the NKJV claims to be based upon. Scrivener notes that Westcott and Hort’s text omits "τοῦ Θεοῦ". So the NKJV clearly departs from the TR here, and also the KJV. Beza’s 1598 clearly says "τοῦ Θεοῦ" and he translates it into Latin as "Charitatem Dei". While earlier TR editions and English bibles omit the words, it is abundantly clear that Beza, Scrivener and the KJV of 1611 had the words there. While the italics of Blaney here are controversial, as most see them as unnecessary, the omission of the words from the NKJV that claims to be merely a "New" KJV, is clearly a departure from the TR text.

			===[[2 John 1:7]]===
			* For many deceivers '''<u>are entered into</u>''' the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. ([[KJV]])
			* For many deceivers '''<u>have gone out into</u>''' the world who do not confess Jesus Christ ''as'' coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. ([[NKJV]])

			The TR clearly reads εἰσῆλθον (“entered”), while the Critical Text reads ἐξῆλθον (“went out”). Most TR based English translations, including the NKJV, MEV, and even JP Green’s version, render it “went out,” departing from the TR and following the CT.

			This is a place where translators allowed CT influence to override the TR reading. If someone wants to be strictly faithful to the TR, the correct rendering should be “entered into the world.”

	===[[Jude 1:3]]===		===[[Jude 1:3]]===

Nick: /* Matthew 11:14 */

2025-07-16T11:00:08Z

Matthew 11:14

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	Was for to come means to come beforehand. The NKJV causes this to be a future event and not something that prophesized about concerning John the Baptist.		Was for to come means to come beforehand. The NKJV causes this to be a future event and not something that prophesized about concerning John the Baptist.

			===[[Matthew 15:32]]===
			Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away '''<u>fasting</u>''', lest they faint in the way. ([[KJV]])

			Now Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, "I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away '''<u>hungry</u>''', lest they faint on the way." ([[NKJV]])

			The NIV,ESV, RSV, NASB, and HCSB, all read "hungry".

	===[[Matthew 16:18]]===		===[[Matthew 16:18]]===

Nick: /* Jude 1:19 */

2025-07-16T10:52:41Z

Jude 1:19

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	The KJV has '''<u>separate themselves</u>''', whereas the NKJV has '''<u>cause divisions</u>'''. The clear reading of the [[Textus Receptus]] is destroyed by the NKJV. The Westcott & Hort text does not have “themselves” and modern versions, the [[NASB]], [[NIV]] etc. follow suit, with: “these are men who '''<u>divide you</u>'''”. The “you” is not found in any text, and the whole meaning is changed. In the KJV reading it is speaking of those who separate themselves from the others as a special class with superior knowledge, while the NIV says they divide you, the Christians, which is not the same meaning. The NKJV follows the modern corruptions and clearly departs from the KJV/TR reading here.		The KJV has '''<u>separate themselves</u>''', whereas the NKJV has '''<u>cause divisions</u>'''. The clear reading of the [[Textus Receptus]] is destroyed by the NKJV. The Westcott & Hort text does not have “themselves” and modern versions, the [[NASB]], [[NIV]] etc. follow suit, with: “these are men who '''<u>divide you</u>'''”. The “you” is not found in any text, and the whole meaning is changed. In the KJV reading it is speaking of those who separate themselves from the others as a special class with superior knowledge, while the NIV says they divide you, the Christians, which is not the same meaning. The NKJV follows the modern corruptions and clearly departs from the KJV/TR reading here.

			===[[Revelation 16:16]]===
			* And '''<u>he</u>''' gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. ([[KJV]])
			* And '''<u>they</u>''' gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon. ([[NKJV]])

			The NKV changes "he" to "they".

			KJV: "And he gathered them" is from the Greek καὶ συνήγαγεν αὐτοὺς (singular verb, "he gathered them"). The subject is ambiguous in the Greek — it could be God, Satan, or the spirits mentioned in the previous verse.

			NKJV: "And they gathered them" which reflects a dynamic interpretation, probably referring back to the three unclean spirits (v.13–14), which go out and gather kings.

			So the KJV keeps the Greek singular and leaves the subject ambiguous ("he"). Yet the NKJV interprets the agents as plural ("they") — likely referring to the demonic spirits. So the NKJV departs fropm the KJV here.

	===[[Revelation 19:8]]===		===[[Revelation 19:8]]===

Nick: /* A bridge translation to Westcott and Hort */

2025-07-12T09:52:37Z

A bridge translation to Westcott and Hort

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	::During the presentation of the [[NKJV]] the [[Thomas Nelson]] representative made a statement which to the best of my memory was, ‘We are all educated people here. We would never say this to our people, but we all know that the [[King James Version]] is a poor translation based on poor texts. But every attempt to give your people a better Bible has failed. They just won’t accept them. So we have gone back and done a revision of the [[King James Version]], a fifth revision. Hopefully it will serve as a transitional bridge to eventually get your people to accept a more accurate Bible.’		::During the presentation of the [[NKJV]] the [[Thomas Nelson]] representative made a statement which to the best of my memory was, ‘We are all educated people here. We would never say this to our people, but we all know that the [[King James Version]] is a poor translation based on poor texts. But every attempt to give your people a better Bible has failed. They just won’t accept them. So we have gone back and done a revision of the [[King James Version]], a fifth revision. Hopefully it will serve as a transitional bridge to eventually get your people to accept a more accurate Bible.’

	Because of the years, and because I did not write it down, I cannot give you the speaker’s name and I cannot promise you that this is word for word correct, but the meeting so seared my spirit that I have never picked up and opened a [[NKJV]]. I can tell you that this is absolutely the substance and nearly the exact words of what was said.”		:Because of the years, and because I did not write it down, I cannot give you the speaker’s name and I cannot promise you that this is word for word correct, but the meeting so seared my spirit that I have never picked up and opened a [[NKJV]]. I can tell you that this is absolutely the substance and nearly the exact words of what was said.”

	The accuracy of Pastor [[Kirk DiVietro]]'s recollection regarding the [[Thomas Nelson]] representative's statement, "We would never say this to our people, but we all know that the King James Version is a poor translation based on poor texts" is confirmed by the New King James Version editors:		The accuracy of Pastor [[Kirk DiVietro]]'s recollection regarding the [[Thomas Nelson]] representative's statement, "We would never say this to our people, but we all know that the King James Version is a poor translation based on poor texts" is confirmed by the New King James Version editors:
	It was the editors' conviction that the use of footnotes would encourage further inquiry by readers. They also recognized that it was easier for the average reader to delete something he or she felt was not properly a part of the text than to insert a word or phrase which had been left out by the revisers.		:It was the editors' conviction that the use of footnotes would encourage further inquiry by readers. They also recognized that it was easier for the average reader to delete something he or she felt was not properly a part of the text than to insert a word or phrase which had been left out by the revisers.

	==Translators==		==Translators==

Nick at 09:48, 12 July 2025

2025-07-12T09:48:57Z

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	* A minor revision was completed in 1984.		* A minor revision was completed in 1984.

	Gideons International, an organization that places Bibles in hotels and hospitals, ~~uses~~ the [[NKJV]] translation ~~at times~~.		Gideons International, an organization that places Bibles in hotels and hospitals, at one stage used the NKJV translation along with the KJV, offering the KJV as the default translation and offering the NKJV when an organization asked for a Bible in newer English to be used. After HarperCollins' acquisition of Thomas Nelson, however, the Gideons have chosen to start using the English Standard Version (ESV) instead of the NKJV.

	==Beginnings==		==Beginnings==

Nick at 09:07, 12 July 2025

2025-07-12T09:07:40Z

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	The [[NKJV]] was published in three stages:		The [[NKJV]] was published in three stages:

	New King James Bible, [[New Testament]]; [[1979 (date)\|1979]]		* New King James Bible, [[New Testament]]; [[1979 (date)\|1979]]
	New King James Bible, [[New Testament]] and Psalms; [[1980 (date)\|1980]]		* New King James Bible, [[New Testament]] and Psalms; [[1980 (date)\|1980]]
	New King James Version of the Holy Bible, containing the Old and New Testaments; [[1982 (date)\|1982]]		* New King James Version of the Holy Bible, containing the Old and New Testaments; [[1982 (date)\|1982]]
			* A minor revision was completed in 1984.

	Gideons International, an organization that places Bibles in hotels and hospitals, uses the [[NKJV]] translation.		Gideons International, an organization that places Bibles in hotels and hospitals, uses the [[NKJV]] translation at times.

	==Beginnings==		==Beginnings==

Nick at 09:02, 12 July 2025

2025-07-12T09:02:31Z

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	:		:
	"...as for the sense which some put upon the words, that he did not "affect", or "greedily catch" at deity; '''<u>as the phrase will not admit of it, so it is not true in fact; he did affect deity, and asserted it strongly, and took every proper opportunity of declaring it</u>''', and in express terms affirmed he was the Son of God; '''<u>and in terms easy to be understood declared his proper deity, and his unity and equality with the Father; required the same faith in himself as in the Father</u>''', and signified that he that saw the one, saw the other..." ''John Gill'', Commentary		"...as for the sense which some put upon the words, that he did not "affect", or "greedily catch" at deity; '''<u>as the phrase will not admit of it, so it is not true in fact; he did affect deity, and asserted it strongly, and took every proper opportunity of declaring it</u>''', and in express terms affirmed he was the Son of God; '''<u>and in terms easy to be understood declared his proper deity, and his unity and equality with the Father; required the same faith in himself as in the Father</u>''', and signified that he that saw the one, saw the other..." ''John Gill'', Commentary

			===[[Philippians 2:7]]===
			* But '''<u>made himself of no reputation</u>''', and took upon him the form of a '''<u>servant</u>''', and '''<u>was made</u>''' in the likeness of men: ([[KJV]])
			* but '''<u>emptied Himself</u>''' by taking the form of a '''<u>servant</u>''', and '''<u>coming</u>''' in the likeness of men. ([[NKJV]]) 1979
			* but '''<u>made Himself of no reputation</u>''', taking the form of a '''<u>bondservant</u>''', and '''<u>coming</u>''' in the likeness of men. ([[NKJV]])

	===[[1 Thessalonians 5:22]]===		===[[1 Thessalonians 5:22]]===

Nick: /* John 10:6 */

2025-04-03T10:21:54Z

John 10:6

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	autois – to them, is omitted in the NKJV, following the NIV reading.		autois – to them, is omitted in the NKJV, following the NIV reading.

			===[[Acts 15:23]]===
			* And they wrote ''letters'' by them '''<u>after this manner</u>'''; The apostles and elders and brethren ''send'' greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: ([[KJV]])
			* They wrote this letter by them '''<u>(omit)</u>''': The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings. ([[NKJV]])

			The NKJV omits τάδε (tade), ‘after this manner’, as does the Critical Text.

	===[[Galatians 2:20]]===		===[[Galatians 2:20]]===