John 2 Comparison: Noyes Translation (1869) vs King James Version
John 2
1And on the third day there was a marriage-feast in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there.
2And both Jesus and his disciples were invited to the feast.
3And they had no wine, because the wine of the feast had failed. Then the mother of Jesus saith to him, There is no wine.
4Jesus saith to her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? My hour is not yet come.
5His mother saith to the servants, Whatever he saith to you, do it.
6Now there were set there six water-pots of stone, in conformity with the Jews’ custom of purifying, containing two or three firkins apiece.
7Jesus saith to them, Fill the water-pots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
8And he saith to them, Draw out now, and bear it to the master of the feast. And they bore it.
9But when the master of the feast tasted the water that had been made wine, not knowing whence it was, but the servants who drew the water knew, he called the bridegroom
10and said to him, Every man setteth on the good wine first, and when men have drunk freely, that which is worse. Thou hast kept the good wine until now.
11This beginning of the signs Jesus made in Cana of Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
12After this he went down to Capernaum, he and his mother, and his brothers, and his disciples; and they abode there not many days.
13And the passover of the Jews was near; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
14And he found in the temple those who sold oxen, and sheep, and doves, and the money-changers sitting.
15And having made a scourge of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, both the sheep and the oxen; and poured out the money of the exchangers, and overthrew the tables;
16and said to those who sold the doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house a house of merchandise.
17His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for thy house will consume me."
18The Jews therefore answered and said to him, What sign dost thou show us, seeing thou doest these things?
19Jesus answered and said to them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
20Then said the Jews, Forty-six years was this temple in building; and wilt thou raise it up in three days?
21But he spoke of the temple of his body.
22When therefore he had risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the Scripture, and the word which Jesus had spoken.
23And when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, at the feast, many believed in his name, when they saw his signs which he wrought.
24But Jesus did not trust himself to them, because he knew all men;
25and had no need that any one should testify concerning man; for he himself knew what was in man.
John 2
1And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:
2And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.
3And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
4Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
5His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
6And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
7Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
8And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
9When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
10And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
11This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
12After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.
13And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,
14And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:
15And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables;
16And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.
17And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.
18Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?
19Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
20Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?
21But he spake of the temple of his body.
22When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.
23Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.
24But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,
25And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.
Understanding Noyes Translation (1869) vs King James Version in John 2
Noyes Translation (1869) (Noyes)
A scholarly 1869 translation by George R. Noyes, aiming for precision and literary beauty. Known for its distinct Unitarian perspective and separate translation of poetical books like Psalms.
King James Version (KJV)
The classic 1611 English translation known for its majestic prose and literary influence. Ideal for traditional study and memorization thanks to its formal style. A foundational English Bible used for centuries.
You are viewing a side-by-side comparison of John 2 in the Noyes Translation (1869) and King James Version. Comparing these two versions can help shed light on the nuances of the original text.
Key Comparison: John 2:16
"and said to those who sold the doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house a house of merchandise."
"And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise."





