2 Corinthians 12:3

International Standard Version

I know that this man - whether in his body or outside of his body, I do not know, but God knows -

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
I know that this man—whether in the body or out of the body I don’t know; God knows—

King James Version (1611)
And I knew such a man (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell, God knoweth.)

King James Version
And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

English Standard Version
And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—

New American Standard Bible
And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows—

New Century Version
And I know that this man was taken up to paradise. I don't know if he was in his body or away from his body, but God knows. He heard things he is not able to explain, things that no human is allowed to tell.

Amplified Bible
And I know that such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, [only] God knows—

New American Standard Bible (1995)
And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows—

Legacy Standard Bible
And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows—

Berean Standard Bible
And I know that this man-whether in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows-

Contemporary English Version
As I said, only God really knows if this man was in his body at the time.

Complete Jewish Bible
And I know that such a man — whether in the body or apart from the body I don't know, God knows —

Darby Translation
And I know such a man, (whether in [the] body or out of the body I know not, God knows;)

Easy-to-Read Version
And I know that this man was taken up to paradise. I don't know if he was in his body or away from his body, but he heard things that he is not able to explain. He heard things that no one is allowed to tell.

Geneva Bible (1587)
And I knowe such a man (whether in the body, or out of the body, I can not tell: God knoweth)

George Lamsa Translation
And I still know this man, but whether in the body or whether without the body, I cannot tell; God knows;

Good News Translation
I repeat, I know that this man was snatched to Paradise (again, I do not know whether this actually happened or whether it was a vision—only God knows), and there he heard things which cannot be put into words, things that human lips may not speak.

Lexham English Bible
and I know this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows—

Literal Translation
And I know such a man--whether in the body or out of the body, I do not know; God knows--

American Standard Version
And I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I know not; God knoweth),

Bible in Basic English
And I have knowledge of such a man (if he was in the body, or out of the body, I am not able to say, but God only),

Hebrew Names Version
I know such a man (whether in the body, or outside of the body, I don't know; God knows),

Etheridge Translation
And I know this man himself,-but whether in the body, or out of the body, I know not, Aloha himself knoweth,

Murdock Translation
And I knew this same man; (but whether in a body, or out of a body, I know not; God knoweth;)

Bishop's Bible (1568)
And I knewe the same man (whether in the body or out of the body, I can not tell, God knoweth)

English Revised Version
And I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I know not; God knoweth),

World English Bible
I know such a man (whether in the body, or outside of the body, I don't know; God knows),

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Yea, I knew such a man (whether in the body or out of the body, I know not, God knoweth) That he was caught up into paradise,

Weymouth's New Testament
And I know that this man-- whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know;

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And Y woot sich a man; whether in bodi, or out of bodi, Y noot, God woot;

Update Bible Version
And I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I don't know; God knows),

Webster's Bible Translation
And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

New English Translation
And I know that this man (whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows)

New King James Version
And I know such a man--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows--

New Living Translation
Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know

New Life Bible
I say it again, I know this man was taken up. But I do not know if his body or just his spirit was taken up. Only God knows.

New Revised Standard
And I know that such a person—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows—

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And I know such a man as this, whether in the body or apart from the body, I know not, - God, knoweth,

Douay-Rheims Bible
And I know such a man (whether in the body, or out of the body, I know not: God knoweth):

Revised Standard Version
And I know that this man was caught up into Paradise--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows--

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
And I knowe the same man (whether in the body or out of the body I canot tell god knoweth)

Young's Literal Translation
and I have known such a man -- whether in the body, whether out of the body, I have not known, God hath known, --

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
and I knowe the same man (whether he was in ye body or out of the body, I can not tell, God knoweth)

Mace New Testament (1729)
but tho' I don't know whether it was in the body, or out of the body, which God only knows,

Simplified Cowboy Version
Listen close, I don't know if my body made the trip or just my mind. Like I said, only God knows.

Contextual Overview

¹ I must boast, although it does not do any good. I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. ² I know a man in Christ. Fourteen years ago - whether in his body or outside of his body, I do not know, but God knows - that man was snatched away to the third heaven.Acts 14:6; 22:17; Romans 16:7; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 1:22;">[xr] ³ I know that this man - whether in his body or outside of his body, I do not know, but God knows - ⁴ was snatched away to Paradise and heard things that cannot be expressed in words, things that no human being has a right even to mention.Luke 23:43;">[xr] ⁵ I will boast about this man, but as for myself I will boast only about my weaknesses.2 Corinthians 11:30;">[xr] ⁶ However, if I did want to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be telling the truth. But I am not going to do it in order to keep anyone from thinking more of me than what he sees and hears about me.2 Corinthians 10:8; 11:16;">[xr] ⁷ To keep me from becoming conceited because of the exceptional nature of these revelations, a thornstake">[fn] was given to me and placed in my body.was given to me in the flesh">[fn] It was Satan's messenger to keep on tormenting me so that I would not become conceited.Job 1:2:7; Ezekiel 28:24; Luke 13:16; Galatians 4:13-14;">[xr] ⁸ I pleaded with the Lord three times to take it away from me,Deuteronomy 3:23-27; Matthew 26:44;">[xr] ⁹ but he has told me, "My grace is all you need, for my power is perfected in weakness." Therefore, I will most happily boast about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.2 Corinthians 11:30; 1 Peter 4:14;">[xr] ¹⁰ That is why I take such pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties for Christ's sake, for when I am weak, then I am strong.Romans 5:3; 2 Corinthians 7:4; 13:4;">[xr]

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 18:12 - the Spirit of the Lord 2 Kings 2:16 - the Spirit Ezekiel 11:24 - the spirit Daniel 10:8 - I was 2 Corinthians 5:8 - and willing 2 Corinthians 11:11 - God 2 Corinthians 12:2 - knew

Cross-References

Matthew 25:40
The king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, in that you did it for one of the least important of these my brothers, you did it for me.'Proverbs 14:31; 19:17; Matthew 10:42; Mark 9:41; Hebrews 6:10;">[xr]

Matthew 25:45
Then he will say to them, 'Truly I tell you, in that you did not do it for one of the least important of these, you did not do it for me.'Proverbs 14:31; 17:5; Zechariah 2:8; Acts 9:5;">[xr]

Romans 4:11
Afterward he received the mark of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. Therefore, he is the ancestor of all who believe while uncircumcised, in order that righteousness may be credited to them.Genesis 17:10; Luke 19:9; Romans 14:12,16; Galatians 3:7;">[xr]

1 Corinthians 1:30
It is because of him that you are in union with Christ Jesus, who for us has become wisdom from God, as well as our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.Jeremiah 23:5-6; John 17:19; Romans 4:25; 1 Corinthians 1:24; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 1:7; Philippians 3:9;">[xr]

Galatians 3:8
Because the Scripture saw ahead of time that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, it announced the gospel to Abraham beforehand when it said, "Through you all nationsall the Gentiles">[fn] will be blessed."Genesis 12:3">[fn]Genesis 12:3; 18:18; 22:18; Acts 2:35; Romans 9:17; Galatians 3:22;">[xr]

Galatians 3:16
Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his descendant. It doesn't say "descendants," referring to many, but "your descendant,"Genesis 12:7">[fn] referring to one person, who is Christ.Genesis 12:3,7; 17:7; 1 Corinthians 12:12; Galatians 3:8;">[xr]

Galatians 3:28
A person is no longer a Jew or a Greek, a slave or a free person, a male or a female, because all of you are one in Christ Jesus.John 10:16; 17:20-21; Romans 10:12; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 5:6; Ephesians 2:14-16; Colossians 3:11;">[xr]

Ephesians 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! He has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm,2 Corinthians 1:3; 1 Peter 1:3;">[xr]

Colossians 3:11
Where this happens, there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian,[fn] slave, or free person. Instead, Christ is all and in all.Romans 10:12; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:28; 5:6; Ephesians 1:23; 6:8;">[xr]

Revelation 7:9
After these things I looked, and there was a large crowd that no one was able to count! They were from every nation, tribe, people, and language. They were standing in front of the throne and the lamb and were wearing white robes, with palm branches in their hands.Romans 11:25; Revelation 3:5,18; 4:4; 5:9;">[xr]

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And I knew such a man,.... The same man, namely himself, is here designed, and the same rapture spoken of, and the condition he was in expressed in the same words: which repetition is made for the more strong affirmation of what he delivered, and to signify the marvellousness of this vision, and how surprising and unaccountable it was.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

And I knew such a man - It is not uncommon to repeat a solemn affirmation in order that it may be made more emphatic. This is done here. Paul repeats the idea, that he was intimately acquainted with such a man, and that he did not know whether he was in the body or out of the body. All that was known to God.