With verse 6 a shift in time and setting is indicated, and at least one new character is introduced into the narrative. For these reasons it may be helpful for the reader if a new paragraph is begun.

But indicates a contrast, but because of the way the sentence is constructed, it may seem that when Herod’s birthday came contrasts with the previous verse. The real contrast is between the fact that Herod did not feel he could put John to death (previous verse), and the fact that he eventually did just that on the occasion of the girl’s dancing at his birthday. Some translators have said something like “But finally he was able to do so…” or “But at the time of his birthday, he did. The daughter of Herodias danced….”

Herod’s birthday may more explicitly be described as “Herod’s birthday celebrations” (Barclay, Phillips). Some translators have said “When Herod had a feast to celebrate his birthday.”

The daughter of Herodias is presumably Salome, her daughter by her first husband, Herod Philip. As far as is known, Salome was the only daughter of Herodias. In translation, however, she should not be identified by name, since her name appears nowhere in the Gospel.

In some cases, to say simply danced will not be as well understood as “entertained the people there by dancing.”

The company are “all the guests” (Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch). Before the company may be translated “before all the people who had come for Herod’s birthday celebration.”

And pleased Herod is translated as a passive by Good News Translation: “Herod was so pleased.”

It may be more natural to restructure the whole sentence: “But at the time of his birthday, Herod did put John to death. The daughter of Herodias entertained the company with her dancing, and she pleased Herod very much.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .