14:11a

John’s head was brought in on a platter and presented to the girl: These clauses are passive. Here are some ways to translate them:

• Use passive verbs. For example:

The head was brought in on a plate and given to the girl (Good News Translation)

• Use active verbs. For example:

they brought it on a platter and gave it to the girl (New Century Version)

the girl: This refers to Herodias’ daughter. She was probably thirteen to eighteen years old. Use an expression in your language that applies to a young woman of that age.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

young lady
-or-
Herodias’ daughter

14:11b

who carried it to her mother: The daughter took the severed head to her mother, who was in another room, and gave it to her. Your translation should not imply that the mother was in the same room as the men. And your translation should not imply that the daughter kept the head. In some languages, it may be necessary to make some of this information explicit. For example:

she went with ⌊the head⌋ to her mother ⌊and gave it to her⌋

-or-

she took ⌊the platter⌋ and went with it to her mother

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