OET interlinear MARK 6:20

6:20a

because: The word because introduces the reason for 6:19c, that is, the reason Herodias was unable to have John killed. She probably could not do so without Herod’s help/permission.

Herod feared John: The Greek verb that the BSB translates here as feared refers to a mixture of fear and awe/reverence. Herod revered or highly respected John, and he also feared him. In 6:20c it is clear that the reason for this fear and respect was that Herod considered John to be righteous and holy.

If your language has a word such as “awe” that refers to a very strong respect as well as fear, you may want to use it here. For example, the NJB says:

Herod was in awe of John

Another option is to use two different phrases. For example:

Herod feared and respected John

Herod’s respect and fear for John was great

6:20b–c

The BSB changes the Greek order of the phrases in 6:20b–c. The RSV follows the Greek order. Compare the order of the phrases in the RSV and BSB below.

^20aFor Herod feared John, ^20cknowing that he was a righteous and holy man, ^20band kept him safe. (RSV)

^20abecause Herod feared John ^20band protected him, ^20cknowing that he was a righteous and holy man (BSB)

Another way to order these clauses is as the TRT has done:

^20cbecause Herod knew that John was a righteous and holy man, ^20aso he feared him ^20band protected him

The Notes below and the Display have been reordered to follow the Greek text. You should follow the order that expresses the meaning most clearly and naturally in your language.

6:20b

6:20c (reordered)

knowing that he was a righteous and holy man: These words give the reason for Herod’s fear and awe of John the Baptizer. In some languages it may be necessary to make this explicit. For example:

because Herod knew that John was a righteous and holy man

If it is not natural in your language to begin both 6:20a and 6:20c with “because,” you can start a new sentence here without a conjunction. For example:

He knew that John was a righteous and holy man.

righteous and holy man: The Greek word that the BSB translates as righteous refers to a person who lives according to God’s standards. In other words, he consistently does what is right. This word also occurs in 2:17c.

Here are some other ways to translate a righteous…man:

a good…man (GNT)

a man who did what was right

holy: The word holy describes something or someone that is dedicated or set apart to the service of God. When it is used to describe a person, it also implies that the person is separated from sin. He is not sinless, but his life is morally pure and clean.

Here are some other ways to translate holy in this verse:

dedicated to serving God

godly/devout

morally clean/pure

and protected him: The clause and protected him gives the result of 6:19b–20a,c. Herodias wanted to kill John. But Herod would not allow it because he feared John. Therefore, he kept him safe.

Here are some other ways to connect 6:20b to the previous clauses:

…so he protected him. (GW)

Therefore, he kept him safe.

protected: The Greek word that the BSB translates as protected means “kept safe” or “preserved.” John was in prison, but Herod did not allow Herodias to have him killed.

6:20d

When he heard John’s words: It is implied here that John preached to Herod on several occasions. You could make this explicit as follows:

Every time he heard John

Whenever Herod heard John

It is implied that someone brought John from the prison in order for John to speak to Herod. See 6:20d in the Display for one way to make this explicit.

he was greatly perplexed: There is a textual issue here: (1) Some Greek manuscripts have he was greatly disturbed/perplexed. For example, the NLT says: “Herod was greatly disturbed” (BSB, NIV, GNT, RSV, NJB, ESV, NET, NASB, REB, GW, NLT, CEV, JBP, NCV). (2) Some Greek manuscripts have he did many things. For example, the KJV says: “he did many things” (KJV). It is recommended that you follow option (1) as most English versions do. The Greek word that the BSB translates as perplexed means “troubled” or “disturbed.” He was troubled because he was uncertain or confused about what to do.

It is implied that Herod was uncertain about what he should do in response to John’s teaching. Herod respected John very much, but he did not want to obey John’s teaching.

In Greek the word perplexed is intensified by a word the BSB translates as greatly. Use a word or expression here that shows that Herod was very troubled or disturbed.

6:20e

yet he listened to him gladly: The word yet shows a contrast with the statement in 6:20d.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

^20dWhen he heard him, he was much perplexed, ^20ebut he heard him gladly.

^20d Even though Herod was troubled/disturbed by John’s preaching, ^20ehe liked to listen to him.

he listened to him gladly: The phrase he listened to him gladly means that Herod was willing and happy to hear John preach.