Misinterpretation in KJV (X)

Several other additional KJV mistranslations that merit theological examination, revealing patterns of error across different types of passages.

Temporal and Aspectual Errors

John 13:2 renders “supper being ended,” but should read “supper taking place,” since saying supper was already finished conflicts with verses 12 and 26, which describe events occurring during the meal[1]. This temporal confusion obscures the narrative sequence of Jesus’s final hours with his disciples. Similarly, 2 Corinthians 12:2 uses “I knew a man” when the Greek verb tense demands “I know a man,” fundamentally altering whether Paul speaks of a past revelation or present knowledge[1].

Doctrinal Distortions

Acts 19:2 asks “Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?” when it should read “Did you receive the Holy Ghost when you believed?”—a distinction that has spawned the entire doctrine of Second Blessing[1]. The KJV’s temporal preposition fundamentally misrepresents the relationship between conversion and Spirit-reception, creating theological error from linguistic imprecision.

Semantic Obsolescence

Hebrews 10:23 renders “the profession of our faith,” but the Greek term should be translated “confession,” and more problematically, the word for “hope” appears thirteen times in the Greek text translated as “hope,” with this one exception rendered as “faith”[2]—an inconsistency that obscures the passage’s actual meaning.

Conceptual Loss

Hebrews 9:7 loses an entire theological concept: the KJV omits that the sins being addressed were “committed in ignorance,” yet the Greek is very expressive on this point[2]. This omission fundamentally alters understanding of the high priest’s atonement work.

Cultural and Linguistic Ignorance

Isaiah 65:11 renders “troop” and “number,” leaving readers confused, when the Hebrew terms Gad and Meni refer to Babylonian or Syrian gods of fortune and destiny—Isaiah is condemning idolatrous worship, not vague references[2]. Similarly, 1 Kings 10:28 mistranslates “linen yarn” when the text refers to Kue, a place in Egypt from which Solomon purchased horses[2].

[1] Rod Mattoon, Treasures from Philippians, Treasures from Scripture Series (Springfield, IL: Rod Mattoon, 2004), 300–301.
[2] James R. White, The King James Only Controversy: Can You Trust Modern Translations? (Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 2009), 280–282.