KJV Bible Errors that are Fixed in Modern Translations

My faith in the accuracy of the Bible is actually increased by the errors that have been found. Let me explain! Some people express doubt in the Bible because they have heard there are errors. But the Bible is unique. It is the best-selling book in the history of the universe. (Sorry, Douglas Adams) And more scholars have studied it than any other book. And the darkest powers of the universe have done everything possible to undermine it. (Ephesians 6:12) But it has stood the test of time. Only a few errors have ever been found and only a few verses have been omitted from modern translations. And millions of Christians have staked their eternal lives on its truths.

Here’s a list of the most significant passages that appear in the KJV but are omitted (or relegated to footnotes) in virtually all modern translations because the earliest and best Greek manuscripts do not include them:

1. Matthew 17:21 — “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”
   The teaching that deliverance often requires prayer and fasting is preserved in other passages (e.g., Matthew 17:19-20; Mark 9:29), so meaning remains clear and emphasized.
2. Matthew 18:11 — “For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.”
   The gospel purpose, that Christ seeks the lost, appears elsewhere (Luke 19:10; Matthew 9:13), so omitting this verse does not remove that essential truth altogether.
3. Matthew 23:14 — “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses…”
   Condemnation of religious hypocrisy is abundantly attested (see Matthew 23:1-12; Luke 20:47), so removing this verse doesn’t change Jesus’ rebuke or diminish his consistent denunciations.
4. Mark 9:44 and Mark 9:46 — “Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” (both verses)
   Imagery of unquenchable fire and undying worm appears elsewhere (Isaiah 66:24; Mark 9:48), so meaning persists without duplicate verses and doctrinal warning remains fully intact.
5. Mark 11:26 — “But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”
   Forgiveness’s importance is plainly taught elsewhere (Matthew 6:14-15; 18:21-35), so textual omission does not alter forgiveness doctrine’s substance or the call to forgive one another.
6. Mark 15:28 — “And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.”
   Christ’s being counted among transgressors is affirmed elsewhere (Isaiah 53:12; Luke 22:37), so omission does not erase prophetic fulfillment or weaken proof of sacrificial substitution.
7. Mark 16:9-20 — the “Longer Ending” of Mark (resurrection appearances, commission, signs)
   Core resurrection facts and commission are attested in other Gospels (Matthew 28; Luke 24; John 20-21), so doctrinal essentials remain secure and corroborated by apostles.
8. Luke 17:36 — “Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.”
   Parallel sayings about being taken or left exist (Matthew 24:40-41), so the absent verse doesn’t remove the teaching’s thrust nor change Jesus’ eschatological warning emphasis.
9. Luke 23:17 — “(For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.)”
   The custom of releasing a prisoner at Passover is attested elsewhere (John 18:39), so omission doesn’t obscure historical context or alter Pilate’s decision narrative either.
10. John 5:3b-4 — “An angel went down at a certain season into the pool…” (angel-stirring)
    The angelic stirring detail supplements tradition but John’s main point, Christ’s healing authority, remains fully present in surrounding context, so doctrinal understanding of miracles remains.
11. John 7:53-8:11 — Pericope Adulterae (woman caught in adultery)
    Jesus’ mercy and challenge to accusers are documented elsewhere and echoed in Gospel themes, so the core moral teaching remains intact without this passage altogether.
12. Acts 8:37 — confession line to the Ethiopian eunuch before baptism
    Philip’s confession theme aligns with Acts’ emphasis on faith before baptism (e.g., Acts 2:38), so doctrinal flow stays consistent without this line inspired apostolic teaching.
13. Acts 15:34 — “Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.”
    Silas’ continued presence is a minor narrative detail; Acts’ theological decisions are preserved elsewhere, so meaning remains unchanged without it, and church practice still recorded.
14. Acts 24:6b-8a — portions of Festus’s report about accusations against Paul
    Festus’s precise wording is a peripheral legal detail; Paul’s charges and trial outcome are unaffected by these omitted lines, so historical and theological substance remains.
15. Acts 28:29 — “And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.”
    A concluding remark about debate is stylistic; the narrative’s end and Paul’s continuing mission are unaffected by omission, so the book’s theological message remains unchanged.
16. Romans 8:1 — (KJV includes “who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”)
    Romans’ declaration of no condemnation stands; surrounding context (vv.1-4, 5-11) clarifies life in the Spirit without needing the omitted clause because Paul’s argument unfolds comprehensively nearby.
17. Romans 16:24 — “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
    The short benediction mirrors other closing blessings; Romans’ benedictions remain in verse 25-27, so salutations and doctrine are untouched and the epistle’s climax stays preserved.
18. 1 John 5:7-8 — the Johannine Comma (explicit Trinitarian formula)
    Trinitarian truth is taught throughout Scripture (e.g., Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14), so doctrinal certainty does not hinge on this later addition but rests elsewhere.

Why these were dropped

Textual critics compare thousands of Greek manuscripts. When a reading is absent from the earliest and most reliable witnesses (e.g., Sinaiticus, Vaticanus, P¹⁴, etc.) but appears in later, less reliable copies, especially those influenced by the Latin tradition, it’s almost certainly a later addition.

However, none of these additions change the underlying truth of the passage. They are all consistent with what we know of the truth as taught in other passage. And most people automatically add these kinds of additional explanations to readings. So, we can be confident that nothing in this list can overthrow our faith or undermine the message of the gospel.

Verses affirming Scripture’s trustworthiness

To reassure us that God’s Word is preserved and sufficient (despite these later insertions), here are some “suggested other verses” you might study:

• 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God…”
• Psalms 12:6-7 “The words of the LORD are pure words… Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.”
• Matthew 24:35 “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”

Feel free to look these passages up in an interlinear or a good, footnoted translation (e.g., the ESV, NIV, NASB, or NLT) to see textual notes on why they’re omitted or bracketed today.