Herod Antipas is here referred to in Greek as the king, though his title in verse 1 is “ruler of the fourth part of a kingdom.” If translators used “ruler” in verse 1, they may wish to use the same here. Or they can simply switch to “king,” as the Greek text does.

Was sorry (so also Moffatt, An American Translation) represents a participle which is generally translated as a finite verb, such as “was sad” (Good News Translation), “was distressed” (New Jerusalem Bible, New English Bible, Barclay), “had his misgivings” (New American Bible), and “was appalled” (Phillips). The root meaning of the word is “be sad” (see comments at 17.23). It may be necessary to add “because of what he had promised” or “because of her request.”

But because of his oaths and his guests means “but because of the oaths he had made in the presence of his guests.” Barclay has “because he had given his sworn promise in front of his guests.”

For oaths, see comments on 5.33. Translators should use the same term they did in verse 7.

In the clause he commanded it to be given, the full meaning is “he commanded (the head of John the Baptist) to be given (to the girl).” Barclay has “he ordered her request to be granted,” and Phillips “he gave orders that she should be given what she had asked.” Other translators will use a fuller form, possibly with an active verb; for example, “he commanded his men (or, soldiers) to give her John’s head” or “… what she had asked for.”

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 .