Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 1:12 But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right [the authority, the privilege] to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name-- [Is 56:5] |
Bible Question: The NASB has John 1:12 "But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name." Even is italicized (added). Neither the NKJV nor the Holman Christian Standard Bible (NT only) includes this word. The NASB verse appears to distinguish receiving from believing, as though one could even believe in His name and still be a child of God. The NKJV and the NHCS equate the two senses. Why the difference? What gives? |
Bible Answer: Greetings flinkywood! You are very perceptive! Yes, "even" was added here in the NASB text as an "explanation" of what it means to receive Him. I do not believe that "even" was added to superimpose a meaning that one could become a child of God without believing in His name. I believe that "believing in His name" is describing those who have received Him. But you are correct, there are many variations of translating this verse! Here are a few: "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name," (NASB) "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-" (NIV) "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:" (NKJV) "But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name:" (ASV) "To all those who did so take him, however, he gave the right of becoming children of God--that is, to those who had faith in his name:" (1965 Bible in Basic English) "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" (KJV) "But as many as received him, to them he gave power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" (1833 Webster Bible) "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." (English Standard Version) I find it interesting that the translations that have been touted as having the "highest accuracy", that being the NASB, the ASV and the KJV, all have the word "even" in John 1:12. Also, this word can be found in the 1833 Webster Bible as well, and the 1965 Bible in Basic English comes close.. Perhaps other translations that adhered to a certain "linguistic" quality saw fit to exclude the troublesome word "even" in this verse.. :-) I personally find the KJV, ASV and NASB connection here in this verse intriguing! Blessings to you, Nolan |