The New King James Version (NKJV)
The New King James Version (NKJV), by Thomas Nelson Publishers, was first published as only the New Testament in 1979, and as the whole Bible in 1982. As of 2025, there have been no revisions. This version of the Bible has been very successful and is still a popular version.
Translation Information
With the NKJV, the Publishers sought to modernize the Elizabethian text of the KJV while retaining a very close match to the established familiarity of the KJV wording, and also to utilize modern understanding of the original language manuscripts. It is not just an English-language modernization, but a new translation revision of the 1611 KJV.
The translation style for the NKJV is Literal, being based on the KJV (Oxford 1881 ed.), and usually uses original genders in the translation. The Bible is generally King James-Friendly using the Textus Receptus as the primary text for the New Testament, but also consulting other Byzantine (Majority) text-type mss, and referencing Alexanderian (Critical Texts) as well. For the Old Testament, the 1966/1977 Stuttgart Bible (CT) was used, with comparison to the Ben Chayyim Rabbinic Bible (the OT KJV source). The NKJV is not associated with any religious denomination.
Handling of Disputed Passages
The NKJV has no deleted passages compared to the KJV. Passages considered doubtful by CT are included, with translation notes indentifying doubtful content.
General Review
This Bible version came out at a time when the KJV was newly competing with modern translations like the RSV, the NIV, and the NASB, which were mistrusted by many KJV users, especially in light of Critical Text (CT) changes which omitted or published doubt regarding several NT passages. Regardless of the publisher's stated intent of revision, the version was popularly expected to be 'about the same' as the KJV except using modern language instead of Elizabethian language. The reality of a new translation effort changes many verses and the wording updates are inconsistent. The version was not truly modernized, nor does it conform closely to the KJV.
The Bible best serves readers who desire the familiar language of the KJV, who wants neither the Elizabethian text, nor the confusion of CT omissions, and who are content with minor variations.
Those of strict King James (only) association should avoid this version due to the broader manuscript base from which it was translated.
Sample Verse Comparison Table
Verse | King James Version (KJV) | New King James Version (NKJV) |
Matthew 6:13 | And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. | And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Note: Either translation is valid, so why change it? |
Matthew 16:24 | No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. | No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. Note:Valid inclusive gender (one), generic male pronouns (he) left as is. |
Mark 4:23 | If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. | If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear. Note:Valid inclusive gender (anyone), generic male pronoun (him) left as is. |
Revelation 22:19 | And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. | and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. Note: All Greek MSS say TREE of life, the TR mss for Revelation was missing the final verses and Erasmus noted that this was translated from the Vulgate into the TR Greek, rather than originating from a Greek manuscript. The NKJV inherits this wording from the KJV. |
Psalm 143:2 | And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. | Do not enter into judgment with Your servant, For in Your sight no one living is righteous. Note:Valid inclusive gender (one) |
Ezekiel 14:9 | And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the Lord have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel. | And if the prophet is induced to speak anything, I the Lord have induced that prophet, and I will stretch out My hand against him and destroy him from among My people Israel. Note:Young's Literal Translation (same MSS as KJV) uses 'enticed' - induced does not seem like a helpful word choice. |
1 Kings 20:38 | So the prophet departed, and waited for the king by the way, and disguised himself with ashes upon his face. | Then the prophet departed and waited for the king by the road, and disguised himself with a bandage over his eyes. Note:This is Critical Text OT, not KJV's source, the Ben Chayyim Rabbinic Bible. |
Zephaniah 3:15 | The Lord hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the Lord, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more. | The Lord has taken away your judgments, He has cast out your enemy.
The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; You shall see disaster no more. Note:This is Critical Text OT, not KJV's source, the Ben Chayyim Rabbinic Bible. |
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