OET interlinear MAT 14:5

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-contrast

θέλων αὐτὸν ἀποκτεῖναι

wanting him /to/_kill_off

Here, the word wanting introduces a clause that states something that contrasts with what Herod actually did. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces this kind of contrast. Alternate translation: “although he wanted to put him to death” or “despite the fact that he wanted to put him to death”

Note 2 topic: writing-pronouns

αὐτὸν & ἐφοβήθη & αὐτὸν

him & ˱he˲_/was/_afraid & him

The pronouns him and him refer to John the Baptist, and the pronoun he refers to Herod. If this is not clear for your readers, you could refer to these people more directly. Alternate translation: “John … Herod feared … John”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἐφοβήθη τὸν ὄχλον

˱he˲_/was/_afraid the crowd

Here Matthew implies that Herod both feared the crowd and did not have John killed. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this idea more explicit. Alternate translation: “he feared the crowd and did not put him to death” or “he did not give the order, for he feared the crowd”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

τὸν ὄχλον

the crowd

Here Matthew implies that Herod feared what the crowd would do if he put John to death. They might have rioted or attacked Herod. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make that idea more explicit. Alternate translation: “what the crowd would do” or “that the crowd might riot”