- Sep 23, 2005
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There have been a number of threads on Bible versions and Bible manuscripts lately. I just wanted to point out why I have recently been enjoying the NKJV.
The largest reason for differences between the KJV and the NIV, or NASB, etc. is the underlying manuscripts used. The KJV uses largely the Textus Receptus. The NIV etc. use the Critical text, usually the United Bible Society/Nestle Aland text.
With the NKJV you get a main text that follows the Textus Receptus, which tends to have the longest readings of the three (Textus Receptus, Majority Text, and Critical Text). The margin notes then outline major textual variants between the Textus Receptus and the Majority and Critical texts. This allows those who have an interest to quickly get an idea of what each of the three "families" of texts say.
It also avoids the problem you can have with newer translations where you are following along when someone is reading the KJV and an entire verse is missing.
Here is an example of the notes:
Acts 8:37New King James Version (NKJV)
37 Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.”
And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
Footnotes:
This allows those who want more information to then look up the manuscript evidence.
The largest reason for differences between the KJV and the NIV, or NASB, etc. is the underlying manuscripts used. The KJV uses largely the Textus Receptus. The NIV etc. use the Critical text, usually the United Bible Society/Nestle Aland text.
With the NKJV you get a main text that follows the Textus Receptus, which tends to have the longest readings of the three (Textus Receptus, Majority Text, and Critical Text). The margin notes then outline major textual variants between the Textus Receptus and the Majority and Critical texts. This allows those who have an interest to quickly get an idea of what each of the three "families" of texts say.
It also avoids the problem you can have with newer translations where you are following along when someone is reading the KJV and an entire verse is missing.
Here is an example of the notes:
Acts 8:37New King James Version (NKJV)
37 Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.”
And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
Footnotes:
- Acts 8:37 NU-Text and M-Text omit this verse. It is found in Western texts, including the Latin tradition.
This allows those who want more information to then look up the manuscript evidence.
