The resurgence of the NKJV makes me really happy, especially among Evangelicals who tend to really hate on it, the whole “you took out the best of the KJV (the poetry) and kept the worst part (the manuscripts)” is criminally misleading. It’s beautiful, poetic, literal, accurate, and traditional all at the same time!
Enjoyed this! Have been an NKJV user for 30 years now and am probably the biggest online NKJV advocate there is.😂I appreciate the efforts of TN to listen to feedback from us and to make solid improvements in their offerings over the past few years. One of the greatest steps forward would be to find out where Lockman found that new super-opaque 32gsm paper and who their printer is in South Korea! NOTHING being produced today by any publisher comes close to the paper and print in their new extremely inexpensive Korean-printed 32gsm 95 LPUTs. Come on TN, it's time to say goodbye to the China era.
Wonderful interview, Tim thank you for bringing Mr. Nation to the discussion- The NKJV is the very best translation of both worlds of the MT, TR and CT. Mr. Nation ( has a great voice) gives credit to the brilliant gentleman who gave us the NKJV- love, love this translation
🎯One reason I love the NKJV: It preserves the Hebrew & Greek poetic/idiomatic expressions. e.g. Ps. 97:11a "Light is sown for the righteous," Ps. 2:9b "...like a potter's vessel," Matt. 5:2a "Then He opened His mouth..." (Emphasizing the importance of what Jesus is about to teach.) One thing we must always keep in mind, modern languages still carry a heritage of older words and expressions. That is why we have TEACHERS! I find that modern dynamic equivalence Bibles tend to be rather flat and colorless in their attempt to be easily intelligible. Thanks as always for your hard work!🙏📖
The NKJV is an excellent translation. Love the textual flow and it is the only really popular modern edition based on the TR. Yes, the MEV is also TR and the WEB (of which I am a big fan) is derived from the Majority Text, but these Bibles are not widely known or available. The fact that the publisher has stayed away from the tendency to revise unnecessarily is a big plus as well, and the people behind the ESV would do well to take note. As far as literary beauty, I think it's nearly a draw if you compare the ESV and NKJV. I would give a slight edge to the ESV, but the NKJV is very poetic and beautiful in its own right.
NKJV is my primary and I have the Verse by Verse Center Column Reference in Black and Brown Premier Versions. I submitted my pre-order for the Large Print Reference in Goat Red.
Same, started NKJV until I landed in kjvo IFB. I was predominantly ESV and LSB and now you’ve definitely helped get the fire back for NKJV with me. Thanks man. 🙌🏻
The NKJV is my go-to translation, though not the only one I use. I have come to appreciate the 'apocrypha' and would like to serve someone take the KJV apocrypha and make an updated translation to the NKJV, then make a NKJV version including it. I love giving Bibles to people, and this would become my preference as a gifting Bible!
I, too, appreciate the Apocrypha. Opinions may vary about its role in the canon of scripture, bat that shouldn't detract from its value as part of the legacy of the KJV family of resources.
I think the Orthodox study Bible has the Septuagint, Apocrypha. I know it has the NKJV New Testament. Not an endorsement, as I'm not sure about the notes.
I've been using the NKJV since the late 1980's. My love for this version has grown over the years. It's my wife's favourite translation as well. Looking forward to getting our Maclaren NKJVs soon. Thanks for this great interview, Tim. God bless. ❤
Thank you, Tim. I’m an ESV guy but am looking to get a nice NKJV. Just as I was wondering which edition I should get, your video answered my question. God bless you, brother!
I love the Nkjv, if you go a church that’s reads from the kjv it follows really well, my church reads from ESV, and the Nkjv reads really close to, it’s the perfect middle ground
The most underrated aspect of the NKJV is the OSB imo. It really scratches the itch for a modern Septuagint translation that's actually beautiful and does not attempt to make the text gender-neutral. Despite some flaws, it's quite excellent actually.
I do like reading the NKJV... if I could find a NKJV with the Apocryphal Books I'd absolutely would have it maybe as my Main Bible to use outside of the "The Holy Scriptures " from The First Church (Pastor Gino Jennings)... God Bless all Saints on their Bible Journey
I just saw another poster saying the same thing. I think the Orthodox study Bible has the Septuagint Old Testament Apocrypha along with NKJV New Testament.
I love the shirt, being a “Bible Nerd” myself. If I find a Bible in a second hand book shop I buy it. Particularly if it is unusual. In England, the NASB is not common. I found a beautiful leather bound edition in original condition for £2, so have added it to my collection. Some translations seem to have come and gone - the New English Bible, for example. Essentially a Presbyterian translation, quite good, but it came out at the wrong time. The RSV was so popular that it didn’t really stand a chance. The NKJV serves a purpose. Some “King James Only” Christians will accept the NKJV, which is certainly more easily understood by new Christians.
Found something out about the NKJV in my reading this morning As I listened to Johnny Cash read the book of John to me, I heard at least 3 variants in the text he read compared with my hard text He read the word ‘guile’, but my hard text said ‘deceit’ Also, he read the word ‘even’ but my hard copy did not have the word in the text And there was 1 other variant (a phrase) but I don’t remember the reference at the moment. When I got home, I looked at my childhood edition of the NKJV which dad bought me in the late 80s. It read just like the Johnny Cash audiobook. Hmmm…… I guess that means there have been slight updates to the NKJV text that (1) I haven’t heard about, or, (2) Thomas Nelson hasn’t told us about. Do you, sir, have any info that can shed light on this matter for me?
@anickelsworthbiblereviews Yes. Initially, it was published in 1982, correct? I have one from back then and I have found a couple places where it differs from a more recent version.
Oh, I love that the Classic Reference that was mentioned has BOOK INTRODUCTIONS! I could put up with the red letter. But VBV makes my eyes bleed. How I wish more Bibles had book intros! They seem to only be for the big, bulky study Bibles.
I appreciate the NKJV, but I feel it still has an archaic feel to the point of a barrier to entry. Not as much as the KJV, but words and sentence structures that can be difficult for some to understand. I don’t negate the significance and beauty of it, but it’s not my favorite. If I want a TR translation then I will go to the 2024 MEV. I feel like they have done a great job of keeping to the TR and KJV while making it modern and readable.
I am German and LOVE the NKJV. It is wonderful in any aspect. The only thing I very much dislike is that most of these bibles have the words of Jesus in red. That is awful!
The Humble Lamb NKJV Shepherd has the words of Christ in dark blue - very easy on the eyes. And I believe the Thomas Nelson Maclaren NKJV is black letter, but Tim would know better than I on the Maclaren.
I have an Outreach NKJV New Testament, I have not spent much time in it but it seems fine. When you get into all the stuff about sources, Textus Receptus and added verses and so on, I am involved with the Christian Bible for literary reasons, not salvation, so I am not terribly concerned about that sort of stuff. NKJV reads well, but most late 20th and 21st century stuff is pretty good, nothing is really that much better to read than anything else. I have a NAB coming from Amazon, I am curious to see if it is very much different.
@@anickelsworthbiblereviews Yeah, I have a study-like Bible in the NAB coming. I know it translates the bit in Isaiah in a similar manner to NRSV and I find that interesting, but they use the Vulgate historically, so it makes sense. I am interested in the Catholic's explanations. I will let you know.
The nicest thing that can be said about the NWT is that it's pretty much impossible to translate the Bible without getting at least some parts of it right. But woe to the person who washes up on a desert island with a NWT in one hand and The Message in the other.
I like it because it doesn't seem to have a calvinist influence. Luke 2:14 is a great example. I don't believe we need any more English versions. It seems like creating English Bibles has become a money grab. I still believe that the KJV is the best and the safest.
Hey mr. Nation, a quick question. Why does Thomas Nelson have their bibles published in China? It is illegal to own a bible there, and christians are regularly imprisoned or executed for it.
@anickelsworthbiblereviews indeed, they print Bibles elsewhere as well, of this I am aware. Just seems like getting your food supply from the enemy to me
Luke 22:31-32 (NKJV): 31 And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” This is where the nkjv falls over: no one can know which verse is plural “you”. Is it just Simon who Jesus is referring to exclusively?
Dan Wallace was quoted as saying that he dislikes the NKJV because it kept the worst parts of the KJV and left out the good. I agree with him. The ESV is a much more elegant read. I think the loyalty to the NKJV stems from no updates, not the translation, exactly. Hate will be ignored, as usual.
@@michaelclark2458 Easy. The elegance of the KJV was removed. Compared to the ESV, it is not as smooth a read. I read through the bible every year using the M'Cheyne plan. When I did my read through with the NKJV it was not as smooth as say the CSB, NLT, KJV or the ESV. Just one man's opinion, these things are very subjective. I have much respect for Dan Wallace and he has strong feelings about it at as well.
@mikeliley: please forgive me if I have misspelled your name I admit I do not have his scholarship to any degree. Having said that, I do not agree with Dan Wallace! I think he, and many others like him are attempting to destroy confidence in the Bible that so many generations of our forebearers used and trusted. And please, do not ask me to respect his age! We were both born in the same month of the same year. I realize we are all sinners in great need of Jesus and what He has done for us. Beyond that, I have no regard for the man!
Love you, Tim, and I know this will not be a popular take, but of all the modern versions, the NKJV is my absolute least favorite (with the exception of the notes). It is stilted, much more "wooden" than any of the NASBs, and is unclear in too many places. Give me the RSV for beauty and majesty, the '77 NASB for accuracy, and the '84 NIV for understandability.
@jdc1264 And that is your opinion too, my friend. Accuracy can be measured in any number of ways. True, it is stable. But that doesn't equate to more valuable. But to each his own.
The resurgence of the NKJV makes me really happy, especially among Evangelicals who tend to really hate on it, the whole “you took out the best of the KJV (the poetry) and kept the worst part (the manuscripts)” is criminally misleading. It’s beautiful, poetic, literal, accurate, and traditional all at the same time!
Enjoyed this! Have been an NKJV user for 30 years now and am probably the biggest online NKJV advocate there is.😂I appreciate the efforts of TN to listen to feedback from us and to make solid improvements in their offerings over the past few years. One of the greatest steps forward would be to find out where Lockman found that new super-opaque 32gsm paper and who their printer is in South Korea! NOTHING being produced today by any publisher comes close to the paper and print in their new extremely inexpensive Korean-printed 32gsm 95 LPUTs. Come on TN, it's time to say goodbye to the China era.
Thanks, Pastor Tim for getting me into the NKJV for the first time. I am really enjoying it.
Dear Thomas Nelson more Giant and larger print please . Thanks
Yes please! 👍
And not thinline or personal size!
Wonderful interview, Tim thank you for bringing Mr. Nation to the discussion- The NKJV is the very best translation of both worlds of the MT, TR and CT. Mr. Nation ( has a great voice) gives credit to the brilliant gentleman who gave us the NKJV- love, love this translation
This is a great interview! I really enjoyed it and the points brought out about the NKJV.
🎯One reason I love the NKJV: It preserves the Hebrew & Greek poetic/idiomatic expressions. e.g. Ps. 97:11a "Light is sown for the righteous," Ps. 2:9b "...like a potter's vessel," Matt. 5:2a "Then He opened His mouth..." (Emphasizing the importance of what Jesus is about to teach.) One thing we must always keep in mind, modern languages still carry a heritage of older words and expressions. That is why we have TEACHERS! I find that modern dynamic equivalence Bibles tend to be rather flat and colorless in their attempt to be easily intelligible. Thanks as always for your hard work!🙏📖
The NKJV is an excellent translation. Love the textual flow and it is the only really popular modern edition based on the TR. Yes, the MEV is also TR and the WEB (of which I am a big fan) is derived from the Majority Text, but these Bibles are not widely known or available. The fact that the publisher has stayed away from the tendency to revise unnecessarily is a big plus as well, and the people behind the ESV would do well to take note. As far as literary beauty, I think it's nearly a draw if you compare the ESV and NKJV. I would give a slight edge to the ESV, but the NKJV is very poetic and beautiful in its own right.
NKJV is my primary and I have the Verse by Verse Center Column Reference in Black and Brown Premier Versions. I submitted my pre-order for the Large Print Reference in Goat Red.
Same, started NKJV until I landed in kjvo IFB. I was predominantly ESV and LSB and now you’ve definitely helped get the fire back for NKJV with me. Thanks man. 🙌🏻
I’m currently in my ESV. But I’m coloring in an NLT and it too sheds light.
I love NKJV its the first English Bible translation that I've read seriously for a long time.....
I have used the NKJV for 15 or 20 years now to preach from and just to read thank you for sharing today
NKJV - Home Sweet Home
Thank you so much for what you do! Both of you! Looking forward to Maclaren study bible
About an hour ago I just received my Schuyler NKJV PSQ Zippered edition in Saddle Brown leather. It is stunning. And beautiful to hold and read.
The NKJV is my go-to translation, though not the only one I use.
I have come to appreciate the 'apocrypha' and would like to serve someone take the KJV apocrypha and make an updated translation to the NKJV, then make a NKJV version including it.
I love giving Bibles to people, and this would become my preference as a gifting Bible!
I, too, appreciate the Apocrypha. Opinions may vary about its role in the canon of scripture, bat that shouldn't detract from its value as part of the legacy of the KJV family of resources.
They could even insert the World English Bible Apocrypha in the NKJV for next to free.
I think the Orthodox study Bible has the Septuagint, Apocrypha. I know it has the NKJV New Testament. Not an endorsement, as I'm not sure about the notes.
I've been using the NKJV since the late 1980's. My love for this version has grown over the years. It's my wife's favourite translation as well. Looking forward to getting our Maclaren NKJVs soon. Thanks for this great interview, Tim. God bless. ❤
Thank you, Tim. I’m an ESV guy but am looking to get a nice NKJV. Just as I was wondering which edition I should get, your video answered my question. God bless you, brother!
I needed a new NKJV as my old one was falling apart after almost 20 years. I bought the Maclaren at your recommendation in a past video!
I use David Jeremiah NKJV Study Bible and it's the best!
I enjoy the NKJV. Thank you for the great video. God bless.
I love the Nkjv, if you go a church that’s reads from the kjv it follows really well, my church reads from ESV, and the Nkjv reads really close to, it’s the perfect middle ground
Love me some NKJV!!
Love the shirt, Bible Nerd!
The most underrated aspect of the NKJV is the OSB imo. It really scratches the itch for a modern Septuagint translation that's actually beautiful and does not attempt to make the text gender-neutral. Despite some flaws, it's quite excellent actually.
I’ve been running the NKJV since I was a kid!
NASB95, NKJV, NASB2020 and NLT are the only translations you will ever need.
Older editions of the NKJV actually had a dig at the NIV in the preface. 😜 Though they didn't mention it by name.
I do like reading the NKJV... if I could find a NKJV with the Apocryphal Books I'd absolutely would have it maybe as my Main Bible to use outside of the "The Holy Scriptures " from The First Church (Pastor Gino Jennings)... God Bless all Saints on their Bible Journey
I just saw another poster saying the same thing. I think the Orthodox study Bible has the Septuagint Old Testament Apocrypha along with NKJV New Testament.
I’d still like see an NKJV edition with apocrypha.
Tim, please tell me you also talked about the future of the NET and the video is coming soon.
We talked a little about the NET but nothing about the future. I may release it as a stand alone video. We shall see.
I love the shirt, being a “Bible Nerd” myself. If I find a Bible in a second hand book shop I buy it. Particularly if it is unusual. In England, the NASB is not common. I found a beautiful leather bound edition in original condition for £2, so have added it to my collection. Some translations seem to have come and gone - the New English Bible, for example. Essentially a Presbyterian translation, quite good, but it came out at the wrong time. The RSV was so popular that it didn’t really stand a chance. The NKJV serves a purpose. Some “King James Only” Christians will accept the NKJV, which is certainly more easily understood by new Christians.
I hope TN brings back the blue and green leather covers. I missed out on them when they came out. Hopefully single column
Found something out about the NKJV in my reading this morning
As I listened to Johnny Cash read the book of John to me, I heard at least 3 variants in the text he read compared with my hard text
He read the word ‘guile’, but my hard text said ‘deceit’
Also, he read the word ‘even’ but my hard copy did not have the word in the text
And there was 1 other variant (a phrase) but I don’t remember the reference at the moment.
When I got home, I looked at my childhood edition of the NKJV which dad bought me in the late 80s. It read just like the Johnny Cash audiobook. Hmmm……
I guess that means there have been slight updates to the NKJV text that (1) I haven’t heard about, or, (2) Thomas Nelson hasn’t told us about.
Do you, sir, have any info that can shed light on this matter for me?
I’d say it was from the 82.
Any way you can turn HDR off on your camera? The lighter parts in the frame melt my eyeballs when I’m watching on my phone. Thanks, love the channel!
Meaning it is too bright? This is a recent problem I am trying to get figured out. But this video doesn't have that issue.
Found it. I will try it with it off in the future. Thank you!
I didn't know they made changes to it.
Changes? Like the 1984?
@anickelsworthbiblereviews Yes. Initially, it was published in 1982, correct? I have one from back then and I have found a couple places where it differs from a more recent version.
Tim. Is there a NASB that’s comparable to the NKJV classic center column reference bible. One that has “everything?”
Lockman has an LPUT that’s pretty similar.
🌹🔥🌟🔥🌹
Please look at the difference in Gen 30:27 vs NASB or ESV thx.
Just curious as the translations are completely different
Sometimes it’s a textual source issue. Sometimes it is an interpretation issue.
Please ask Philip Nation to re-publish the EXP Expanded Bible ( a parallel with NKJV ) would be nice ... thanks Tim
Oh, I love that the Classic Reference that was mentioned has BOOK INTRODUCTIONS! I could put up with the red letter. But VBV makes my eyes bleed. How I wish more Bibles had book intros! They seem to only be for the big, bulky study Bibles.
Tim, please recommend which printed NKJV Classic verse by verse center column that Phillip mentioned.
Hey Wayne! It is linked in the description!
@@anickelsworthbiblereviews Sorry, not sure how I missed that! Thank you and God bless!
Yep. Order placed!
I appreciate the NKJV, but I feel it still has an archaic feel to the point of a barrier to entry. Not as much as the KJV, but words and sentence structures that can be difficult for some to understand. I don’t negate the significance and beauty of it, but it’s not my favorite. If I want a TR translation then I will go to the 2024 MEV. I feel like they have done a great job of keeping to the TR and KJV while making it modern and readable.
I’m looking forward to seeing the MEV mine has been backordered for weeks now. Not sure what’s going on.
I am German and LOVE the NKJV. It is wonderful in any aspect. The only thing I very much dislike is that most of these bibles have the words of Jesus in red. That is awful!
The Humble Lamb NKJV Shepherd has the words of Christ in dark blue - very easy on the eyes. And I believe the Thomas Nelson Maclaren NKJV is black letter, but Tim would know better than I on the Maclaren.
@@guymontag349 Thank you.
I love the red letter!
@@karenwasson8252 Probably because you are a girl. :-)
I'm just looking on Christianbook, but it shows the NKJV Single-Column Reference, with black letter.
I have an Outreach NKJV New Testament, I have not spent much time in it but it seems fine. When you get into all the stuff about sources, Textus Receptus and added verses and so on, I am involved with the Christian Bible for literary reasons, not salvation, so I am not terribly concerned about that sort of stuff. NKJV reads well, but most late 20th and 21st century stuff is pretty good, nothing is really that much better to read than anything else. I have a NAB coming from Amazon, I am curious to see if it is very much different.
I’ve never read the NAB or its offspring the NABRE.
@@anickelsworthbiblereviews Yeah, I have a study-like Bible in the NAB coming. I know it translates the bit in Isaiah in a similar manner to NRSV and I find that interesting, but they use the Vulgate historically, so it makes sense. I am interested in the Catholic's explanations. I will let you know.
So, we're looking at things that get "lost in translation", huh? Love the NKJV.
When will there be a 21st-century update to NKJV?
Stop right there.
@@anickelsworthbiblereviews Ha ha! Yeah, I'm just recently into it. Leave my new baby alone!
I like the NKJV BUT I like the KJV more - I’m just weird like that haha
But what about the NWT Tm??? jk..
🙄
The nicest thing that can be said about the NWT is that it's pretty much impossible to translate the Bible without getting at least some parts of it right. But woe to the person who washes up on a desert island with a NWT in one hand and The Message in the other.
I like it because it doesn't seem to have a calvinist influence. Luke 2:14 is a great example. I don't believe we need any more English versions. It seems like creating English Bibles has become a money grab. I still believe that the KJV is the best and the safest.
Hey mr. Nation, a quick question. Why does Thomas Nelson have their bibles published in China? It is illegal to own a bible there, and christians are regularly imprisoned or executed for it.
China isn’t the only place they are printed. Make sure you have all the information.
@anickelsworthbiblereviews indeed, they print Bibles elsewhere as well, of this I am aware. Just seems like getting your food supply from the enemy to me
Luke 22:31-32 (NKJV): 31 And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.
32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”
This is where the nkjv falls over: no one can know which verse is plural “you”. Is it just Simon who Jesus is referring to exclusively?
Context seems to indicate Peter is the subject.
@ verse 31 is targeting all the disciples, and verse 32 is targeting Peter specifically.
Dan Wallace was quoted as saying that he dislikes the NKJV because it kept the worst parts of the KJV and left out the good. I agree with him. The ESV is a much more elegant read. I think the loyalty to the NKJV stems from no updates, not the translation, exactly. Hate will be ignored, as usual.
The "elegant read" credit really belongs to the RSV. When the ESV changes the RSV, the elegance sometimes takes a dip.
Boo.
What are the bad left in and the good left out from your perspective?
@@michaelclark2458 Easy. The elegance of the KJV was removed. Compared to the ESV, it is not as smooth a read. I read through the bible every year using the M'Cheyne plan. When I did my read through with the NKJV it was not as smooth as say the CSB, NLT, KJV or the ESV. Just one man's opinion, these things are very subjective. I have much respect for Dan Wallace and he has strong feelings about it at as well.
@mikeliley: please forgive me if I have misspelled your name
I admit I do not have his scholarship to any degree. Having said that, I do not agree with Dan Wallace! I think he, and many others like him are attempting to destroy confidence in the Bible that so many generations of our forebearers used and trusted.
And please, do not ask me to respect his age! We were both born in the same month of the same year.
I realize we are all sinners in great need of Jesus and what He has done for us.
Beyond that, I have no regard for the man!
Love you, Tim, and I know this will not be a popular take, but of all the modern versions, the NKJV is my absolute least favorite (with the exception of the notes). It is stilted, much more "wooden" than any of the NASBs, and is unclear in too many places. Give me the RSV for beauty and majesty, the '77 NASB for accuracy, and the '84 NIV for understandability.
🤷🏻♂️
No matter what your opinion is, the nkjv is actually more accurate than other translations. It’s very stable and more valuable
@jdc1264 And that is your opinion too, my friend. Accuracy can be measured in any number of ways.
True, it is stable. But that doesn't equate to more valuable.
But to each his own.
@@kirbysmith4135 We are blessed to have so many options!
@Yesica1993 Indeed we are!