Johnny Cash Reads the Complete New Testament: New King James Version

by Johnny Cash, Anonymous

The New Testament of the New King James Version is read in its entirety by music legend Johnny Cash. After 20 years of encouragement from his mother to record the Bible, he approached the recording of the New Testament with "fear, respect, awe, and reverence for the subject matter." Cash said further, "I also did it with a great deal of joy, because I love the Word." Johnny Cash Reads the Complete New Testament, is 19 hours of hearing the Word of God from one of the most distinctive voices of our time. The legend of country music shows his greatness.

Genres: Religion, Audiobook, Scripture, Christian, Christian Non Fiction, Christianity

19 pages, Audio CD

First published January 30, 2004

About the author

Johnny Cash, born J. R. Cash, also known as "The Man in Black", was a multiple Grammy Award-winning American country singer-songwriter. Cash is widely considered to be one of the most influential American musicians of the 20th century.

Cash was known for his deep, distinctive voice, his trademark dark clothing which earned him his nickname, the boom-chick-a-boom or "freight train" sound of his Tennessee Three backing band, and his demeanor. He rarely (if ever) wavered from introducing himself before performing, with the greeting, "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash."

Much of Cash's music, especially that of his later career, echoed themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption. His signature songs include "I Walk the Line", "Folsom Prison Blues", "Ring of Fire", "That Old Wheel" (a duet with Hank Williams Jr.), "Cocaine Blues", and "Man in Black". He also recorded several humorous songs, such as "One Piece at a Time", "The One on the Right Is on the Left", "Dirty Old Egg-Sucking Dog" a duet with June Carter, Jackson, and "A Boy Named Sue"; rock-and-roll numbers such as "Get Rhythm"; and various railroad songs, such as "Rock Island Line" and "Orange Blossom Special".

He sold over 90 million albums in his nearly fifty-year career and came to occupy a "commanding position in music history".

Reviews

[ValeReads Kyriosity · Rating 5 out of 5]

Im superpicky about audio Bibles. I can't stand the usual "I am reading the Bible so hear how very pious I am" voices and the "I am reading the Bible so hear what a very great actor I am" voices. I found one I liked several years ago and have been using it ever since. Every once in a while I'd try something else, but never found another one I liked...until now. Henceforth, I'll use the other for the OT (if only Johnny had recorded the whole thing!) and this for the NT.

Just sneaking in a link to Doug Wilson's Plodcast review of this edition. That link should be cued up to the right spot in the YouTube video, but just in case it isn't, skip to the 11:45 mark.

[Matt Gaither · Rating 5 out of 5]

JC reading the Bible, what's not to like? Highlights include him pronouncing Pentecost: "Pentycost", naked: "nekid", humble: "umble", and Omega: "Omeega"

[Becky Pliego · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic. What is not to love about it?

[Autumn Kearney · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's Johnny Cash. It's the New Testament. It's a win-win situation. :)

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic. What a voice. What a NT!

[Jon Sheets · Rating 5 out of 5]

As far as audio Bible content, this is the best New Testament reading ive heard.

[Alyson McCann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great listen on Audible !

[Abdul Alhazred · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are some heavy hitters tasked with reading the Bible, like James Earl Jones or an entire ensamble of actors cast for each part. But this is probably the best narration I've heard. It's not just Cash's trademark voice, but a sincerity and immediacy, as if he's not narrating a book as much as telling you, personally, these stories of the Bible.

[Margaret Ashton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to this on my commutes to and from work and really enjoyed it. The NKJV isn't the best translation, but it worked and Cash's voice was easy to listen to. I'm sure I'll listen again.

[Jason Roland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Does it get any better than Johnny Cash reading the Bible? No.

[Ben Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's Johnny Cash reading the New Testament. Period.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! I’ve never heard the Bible read in such a powerful way but also with so much kindness and feeling!

[Duke Revard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Johnny Cash reading the New Testament. Greatness.

[Stephen Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to 2 or so hours a day of this when on the Camino. Many fellow pilgrims were surprised (as I had been) that Johnny Cash had actually narrated the New Testament. Often I would intend to play a short bit and get them to guess who was reading, ending up having to let it play for a while, whether the listeners were Christians or not. There's magic here. I think it's to do with listening to a phenomenal talent reading the New Testament as if it were poetry. I often thought, well mate, we're both bloody sinners. There's hope even for us for sure. Will take this with me if I ever can walk the Camino again.

[Valerie J K · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't think of a better way to listen to the New Testament than to hear it read by Johnny Cash, who was clearly influenced by "the words long written down."

"Hear the trumpets, hear the pipers
One hundred million angels singing
Multitudes are marching to the big kettledrum
Voices calling, voices crying
Some are born, and some are dying
It's Alpha and Omega's kingdom come
And the whirlwind is in the thorn tree
The virgins are all trimming their wicks
The whirlwind is in the thorn tree
It's very hard to kick against the pricks
In measured hundredweight and penny pound
When the man comes around."
--John R. Cash, lyrics "When The Man Comes Around"

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

It felt like it was probably time to revisit this for the first time as an adult. I was mostly struck by how transparent a lot of it is, historically, with specific epistles clearly being designed to make certain specific points that had little to do with Jesus, per se, and were about the fundamental (sorry) logistics of setting up a church from scratch.

Of course, if one is looking for an ideal reader, I can't imagine a better choice than Johnny Cash. He's enthusiastic about the text, but he never gets over-excited. He's dramatic and soothing at the same time. If you're going to consume this section of the Bible, I can confidently say there is no better way to do so.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding. Cash did a very good job reading the New Testament, and his voice is very easy to listen to. On top of that, the NKJV lends itself to the ear (a feature that was very prominent when the Authorized Version/King James Version was published in the early 1600s). I wish more modern translations would emphasize this feature of being easy and beautiful to listen to, particularly in light of the emphasis we place—or should place—on the public reading of Scripture.

[Nico Bruin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Felt like I had to read the bible at some points, so I figured why not have Johnny Cash read it to me.
This was a good choice, I would've not gotten through it otherwise.
Apart from the pleasant reading voice, an occasional point of historical interest and an inspiring quote or two this wasn't particularly entrancing.

[Charles Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's Johnny Cash reading the New Testament, how can it be less than five stars?

[Ammon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Man in Black reads the Good Book. ‘Nuff said.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the only way to listen to the Bible

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not sure it can get any better!

[Abbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet gift this is! So glad Johnny Cash recorded this. This will definitely be my audio recording of choice from now on for the New Testament.

[lawanda bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love hearing the scriptures read in his voice

[Jessecooperlevy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's all good, but I'm pretty sure this is the ONLY way to listen to Revelations.

[Ryan Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic piece of literature read by a music icon. lovely stuff!

[Jason Waldrop]

Johnny Cash's reading is pretty great but the NKJV doesn't sound much like KJV.

[Bobby Daugherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good reading of the New Testament by one of the most recognizable American voices of the 20th century.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb job by the late Mr. Cash.

[Lisa Woodward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing to listen to the New Testament read by Johnny Cash! ❤️