MARK 6:20 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) because he respected Yohan as a righteous and holy teacher and so he kept him alive. He often enjoyed hearing from Yohan and thought a lot about what he said.

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT for Herod was fearing John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and he was keeping him safe, and having heard him, he was much perplexed,[fn] and he was listening to him gladly.

Instead of he was much perplexed, some manuscripts read he was doing many things.

UST 19-20 Herodias was so upset with John that she wanted to have someone execute him. However, Herod realized that God had set John apart and that John did what was right. So, Herod was afraid to do anything to John. Also, he prevented Herodias from doing what she wanted to John. Whenever Herod listened to John, he was not sure how to respond, but he enjoyed listening to him.

6:20 Literally he did many (things); CT he was greatly perplexed

BLB For Herod was afraid of John, knowing him a righteous and holy man; and he kept him safe. And having heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and heard him gladly.

AICNT for Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he herd him, {he was greatly perplexed},[fn] and yet he heard herd him gladly.

6:20, he was greatly perplexed: Some manuscripts read “he did many things.”

OEB because Herod stood in fear of John, knowing him to be an upright and holy man, and protected him. He had listened to John, but still remained much perplexed, and yet he found pleasure in listening to him.

WEBBE for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he did many things, and he heard him gladly.

WMBB for Herod feared Yochanan, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he did many things, and he heard him gladly.

NET because Herod stood in awe of John and protected him, since he knew that John was a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard him, he was thoroughly baffled, and yet he liked to listen to John.

LSV for Herod was fearing John, knowing him [to be] a righteous and holy man, and was keeping watch over him, and having heard him, was doing many things, and hearing him gladly.

FBV because Herod knew John was a holy man who did what was right. Herod protected John and though what John said was very disturbing to him, he was still happy to hear what he had to say.

TCNT For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When Herod listened to John, he would listen to him gladly [fn]and do many things.

6:20 and do many things 98.4% ¦ even though he was greatly perplexed CT 0.4%

T4T Herod did this because he respected/feared John, because he knew that he was a righteous and holy man. The king did not know what he should do, but he liked to listen to him.

LEB For Herod was afraid of John, because he[fn] knew him to be a righteous and holy man and protected him. And when he[fn] listened to him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he listened to him gladly.

6:20 *Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“knew”) which is understood as causal

6:20 *Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participles (“came in” and “danced”) which are understood as temporal

BBE For Herod was in fear of John, being conscious that he was an upright and holy man, and kept him safe. And hearing him, he was much troubled; and he gave ear to him gladly.

Moff for Herod stood in awe of John, knowing he was a just and holy man; so he protected John — he was greatly exercised when he listened to him, still he was glad to listen to him.

Wymth for Herod stood in awe of John, knowing him to be an upright and holy man, and he protected him. After listening to him he was in great perplexity, and yet he found a pleasure in listening.

ASV for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. And when he heard him, he was much perplexed; and he heard him gladly.

DRA For Herod feared John, knowing him to be a just and holy man: and kept him, and when he heard him, did many things: and he heard him willingly.

YLT for Herod was fearing John, knowing him a man righteous and holy, and was keeping watch over him, and having heard him, was doing many things, and hearing him gladly.

Drby for Herod feared John knowing that he was a just and holy man, and kept him safe; and having heard him, did many things, and heard him gladly.

RV for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous man and a holy, and kept him safe. And when he heard him, he was much perplexed; and he heard him gladly.

SLT For Herod feared John, knowing him a just and holy man, and he observed him: and having heard him, did many things, and heard him cheerfully.

Wbstr For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and observed him: and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

KJB-1769 For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

KJB-1611 For Herod feared Iohn, knowing that he was a iust man, and an holy, and [fn]obserued him: and when he heard him, hee did many things, and heard him gladly.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from punctuation and footnotes)

6:20 Or, kept him or saued him.

Bshps For Herode feared Iohn, knowyng that he was a iuste man and an holye, and gaue hym reuerence: and when he hearde hym, he dyd many thynges, and hearde hym gladly.
(For Herod feared Yohn, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and gave him reverence: and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.)

Gnva For Herod feared Iohn, knowing that hee was a iust man, and an holy, and reuerenced him, and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.
(For Herod feared Yohn, knowing that he was a just man, and an holy, and reverenced him, and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. )

Cvdl Notwithstodinge Herode feared Iho, for he knew that he was a iust and holy man: and he kepte him, and herkened vnto him in many thinges, and herde him gladly.
(Notwithstanding Herod feared Iho, for he knew that he was a just and holy man: and he kept him, and hearkened unto him in many things, and herd/heard him gladly.)

TNT For Herode feared Iohn knowynge that he was a iuste man and an holy: and gave him reverence: and when he hearde him he dyd many thinges and hearde him gladly.
(For Herod feared Yohn knowing that he was a just man and an holy: and gave him reverence: and when he heard him he did many things and heard him gladly. )

Wycl And Eroude dredde Joon, and knewe hym a iust man and hooli, and kepte hym. And Eroude herde hym, and he dide many thingis, and gladli herde hym.
(And Herod dreaded Yohn, and knew him a just man and holy, and kept him. And Herod herd/heard him, and he did many things, and gladly herd/heard him.)

Luth Herodes aber fürchtete Johannes; denn er wußte, daß er ein frommer und heiliger Mann war; und verwahrete ihn und gehorchte ihm in vielen Sachen und hörete ihn gerne.
(Herod but feared Yohannes; because/than he knew, that he a pious and saint man war; and stored him/it and obeyed him in many things and heard him/it gladly/willingly.)

ClVg Herodes enim metuebat Joannem, sciens eum virum justum et sanctum: et custodiebat eum, et audito eo multa faciebat, et libenter eum audiebat.
(Herod because was_afraid Yoannem, knowing him husband just and holy: and guarded him, and I_hear by_him fine he_was_doing, and willingly him was_listening. )

UGNT ὁ γὰρ Ἡρῴδης ἐφοβεῖτο τὸν Ἰωάννην, εἰδὼς αὐτὸν ἄνδρα δίκαιον καὶ ἅγιον, καὶ συνετήρει αὐτόν; καὶ ἀκούσας αὐτοῦ, πολλὰ ἠπόρει, καὶ ἡδέως αὐτοῦ ἤκουεν.
(ho gar Haʸrōdaʸs efobeito ton Yōannaʸn, eidōs auton andra dikaion kai hagion, kai sunetaʸrei auton; kai akousas autou, polla aʸporei, kai haʸdeōs autou aʸkouen.)

SBL-GNT ὁ γὰρ Ἡρῴδης ἐφοβεῖτο τὸν Ἰωάννην, εἰδὼς αὐτὸν ἄνδρα δίκαιον καὶ ἅγιον, καὶ συνετήρει αὐτόν, καὶ ἀκούσας αὐτοῦ πολλὰ ⸀ἠπόρει, καὶ ἡδέως αὐτοῦ ἤκουεν.
(ho gar Haʸrōdaʸs efobeito ton Yōannaʸn, eidōs auton andra dikaion kai hagion, kai sunetaʸrei auton, kai akousas autou polla ⸀aʸporei, kai haʸdeōs autou aʸkouen.)

RP-GNT ὁ γὰρ Ἡρῴδης ἐφοβεῖτο τὸν Ἰωάννην, εἰδὼς αὐτὸν ἄνδρα δίκαιον καὶ ἅγιον, καὶ συνετήρει αὐτόν· καὶ ἀκούσας αὐτοῦ, πολλὰ ἐποίει, καὶ ἡδέως αὐτοῦ ἤκουεν.
(ho gar Haʸrōdaʸs efobeito ton Yōannaʸn, eidōs auton andra dikaion kai hagion, kai sunetaʸrei auton; kai akousas autou, polla epoiei, kai haʸdeōs autou aʸkouen.)

TC-GNT ὁ γὰρ Ἡρῴδης ἐφοβεῖτο τὸν [fn]Ἰωάννην, εἰδὼς αὐτὸν ἄνδρα δίκαιον καὶ ἅγιον, καὶ συνετήρει αὐτόν· καὶ [fn]ἀκούσας αὐτοῦ, πολλὰ [fn]ἐποίει, καὶ ἡδέως αὐτοῦ ἤκουε.
(ho gar Haʸrōdaʸs efobeito ton Yōannaʸn, eidōs auton andra dikaion kai hagion, kai sunetaʸrei auton; kai akousas autou, polla epoiei, kai haʸdeōs autou aʸkoue. )

6:20 ιωαννην ¦ ιωανην WH

6:20 ακουσας ¦ ακουων PCK

6:20 εποιει 98.4% ¦ ηπορει CT 0.4%

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 6:14–29: King Herod killed John the Baptizer

Here Mark interrupted his story of how Jesus sent his disciples to preach, expel demons, and heal people. The story about Jesus and his disciples starts again in 6:30. In Section 6:14–29, Mark inserted a different story. He told what King Herod thought about Jesus and why he thought these things. He told the story of how Herod killed John the Baptizer, and how Herod thought that Jesus must be John, alive again.

Here is another possible heading for this section:

The death of John the Baptist

There are parallel passages for this section in Matthew 14:1–12; Luke 9:7–9 (see also Luke 3:19–20).

Paragraph 6:17–20

This paragraph begins the story that explains what Herod said in 6:16 about killing John the Baptizer. The events in this story happened before the events in 6:14–16. Events like this are called background information.

The events within paragraph 6:17–20 are not all in chronological order. The exact order of all the events is not certain. However, it is clear that the events of 6:17a–b happened after the events of 6:17c. See the General Comment on 6:17–18 after 6:18b for a discussion of a possible way to reorder these verses.

6:20a

because Herod feared John

since Herod greatly respected/revered John,
because Herod would not allow it, since he was in awe of John.

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

and protected him, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man.

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

and protected him,

Therefore/So he protected John.
That is why Herod kept anyone from harming John.

6:20c (reordered)

knowing that he was a righteous and holy man.

because he knew that John was a good and holy man. (GNT)
He knew that John did what was right and lived in a godly way.

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, he was greatly perplexed;

Every time Herod/he heard John preach/speak, he was very troubled,
Whenever he had John brought before him so he could hear him preach, Herod felt disturbed/troubled and did not know what to do.

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.

but even so, he liked to listen to John.
In spite of this, he would listen gladly to what John said.

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.

General Comment on 6:20d–e

It may be helpful in your language to reorder 6:20d–e and make explicit some of the implied information. For example:

Herod was disturbed whenever he talked with John, but even so, he liked to listen to him. (NLT96)

Even though Herod was disturbed by what John said, he was glad to listen to him. And he often did.

He liked to listen to him, although what he heard left him greatly disturbed. (REB)

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

γὰρ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: ὁ γάρ Ἡρῴδης ἐφοβεῖτο τόν Ἰωάννην εἰδώς αὐτόν ἄνδρα δίκαιον καί ἅγιον καί συνετήρει αὐτόν καί ἀκούσας αὐτοῦ πολλά ἠπόρει καί ἡδέως αὐτοῦ ἤκουεν)

Here, the word For introduces a reason why Herodias was not able to kill John. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces a reason or basis for something, or you could leave For untranslated. Alternate translation: [which was because] or [since]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

συνετήρει αὐτόν

˓was˒_preserving him

Here Mark implies that Herod kept John safe while he was in jail. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make that idea more explicit. Alternate translation: [he was keeping him safe in prison]

Note 3 topic: translate-textvariants

πολλὰ ἠπόρει

Many ancient manuscripts read he was much perplexed. The ULT follows that reading. Other ancient manuscripts read “he was doing many things.” If a translation of the Bible exists in your region, you may wish to use the reading that it uses. If a translation of the Bible does not exist in your region, you may wish to use the reading of the ULT.

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

πολλὰ ἠπόρει

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, it is clear from the context that it was what John said. Alternate translation: [what John said perplexed him much]

Note 5 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

(Occurrence 4) καὶ

Here, the word and introduces how Herod listened to John in contrast with how he was perplexed. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces this kind of contrast. Alternate translation: [yet]

Parallel MARK 6:20